Beyond just a design, it's a transformative journey reshaping a comprehensive platform for the AAU community.
During the Spring 2023 semester, students from the Academy of Art University took part in a pitch competition with Apple as part of the innovative Future Agency course. This course focuses on emerging creative marketing technologies and practical projects. As students we were challenged to develop a mobile app based on the strategic theme 'Get Together,' specifically designed for the University using Swift, Apple's versatile programming language. Their presentations emphasized Apple as the partner and the Academy of Art University as the client.
The project involved developing a mobile application that catered to five essential aspects. Initially, the app required a Q&A section to facilitate more efficient communication among Gen Z students compared to conventional email. Furthermore, it sought to deliver a unified campus experience to support onboarding new students. Moreover, the application offered seamless access to student resources, improved industry connections for graduating students, and nurtured a sense of community among the student body.
CONTRIBUTIONS
UX Research
Product Design
Visual Design
Prototyping
Branding
RECOGNITION
Best Pitch Content
Best in Show
Apple Awards Showcase
Spring Show 2023
Academy of Art University
TIMELINE
16 weeks
CLIENT
Academy of Art University
SPONSOR
Apple
TEAM
Naomi Rojas
Dan He
Janvi Rathod
TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
INITIAL PROBLEM DISCOVERY
The current lack of a centralized system hinders success in both academic and post-college endeavors.
A recent case study by the University of Maryland-College Park found that 85% of students use mobile technology to interact with their university in some way. Most colleges and universities know that to reach students, they must ensure all your content can be consumed on mobile devices. That’s why many institutions have begun creating custom apps. Currently, the Academy of Art University lacks this centralized support system for addressing many challenges the students, staff, and alums encounter.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we inspire and empower college students to excel in their academic pursuits and embrace a lifelong journey of learning, personal development, and growth?
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Delving into the university foundations
Academy of Art University is one of the largest property owners in San Francisco. The school is divided throughout the city and does not have a centralized campus. It claims to be the largest privately owned art and design school in the United States.
A preferred feature among students is the availability of 72 fully online programs. With nearly half of the student body choosing exclusive enrollment in online classes, it highlights a prevalent worry about the need for an inclusive virtual platform to foster communal engagement.
SURVEY INSIGHTS
Discovering the student's main pain points
We interviewed several students from different majors in the Academy. We aim to explore their unique perspectives, aspirations and preferences within the college environment. We gained a deeper understanding of their main challenges and concerns.
PERSONA CREATION
Designing a persona that ultimately will shape the final presentation
As I further explore the project, I have identified three unique users segments within the program. To understand each group comprehensively and improve their respective experiences, I have proactively interacted with them using various methods. Including interviews, intercepts, and observations, while maintaining a well-defined project objective.
DESIGN GOALS
How might we inspire and empower college students to excel in their academic pursuits and embrace a lifelong journey of learning, personal development, and growth?
DEISGN OPPORTUNITIES
Identify and formulate strategic solutions
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Visualizing System Boundaries to structure the design flow
Understanding the critical features that a university student app needs is paramount in today's educational landscape. Such an app should provide easy access to academic resources, facilitate communication, support campus life, prioritize security and privacy, and maintain user-friendliness.
INITIAL IDEATION
Sketching Variations
I quickly jotted down and refined ideas using simple drawings. These sketches serve as visual representations to explore concepts, gather feedback, and make decisions early in the creative process.
LOW FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
Conceptualization through wireframes
As a group, creating the initial prototype entails meticulous planning, design, and active users involvement. Adhering to these principles allows us to craft a prototype that serves as a valuable means of communication and aids in enhancing out the app's design.
USER TESTING
Evaluating the interface and usability
FINAL DESIGN
Igniting Minds, Shaping Futures
Following establishing a more robust design framework, we began shaping the ultimate design by integrating the insights gathered during our testing sessions. This involved making significant adjustments, including transitioning from a light to a dark mode and carefully incorporating all the constructive feedback provided by the instructors and classmates.
Ideas & Ideals
KEY FEATURES
Message
Home
Wallet
Profile
Share bus. card
Forum
FINAL PROTOTYPE
Exploring Boundless Horizons
BRANDING CAMPAIGN PROPOSAL
College is where the journey never ends!
The concept drew inspiration from the journey of a student throughout their college years. It encompasses their initial arrival, attending classes, forging friendships, and evolving professionally within the academic setting. Ultimately, it leads to graduation and an introduction to the professional environment.
CONCLUSION
Learnings & Next steps
In wrapping up this project, I cannot help but reflect on our incredible journey. We had the chance to present at Apple while receiving insightful feedback from the companies execs. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to work alongside various professionals, and it has been an eye-opening experience as we gained not just technical know-how but also valuable acuities from different perspectives and fields of expertise.
The project took us through the path of understanding diverse outlooks and refining our collaboration skills. These experiences have left a lasting mark on our personal and professional growth, and we are eager to embrace the opportunities they bring us. As we pass the torch to students who will continue working on the application, we are excited to see how it will evolve and benefit the Academy of Art University community.
