✦ Background
In traditional academic models, lectures, reading, and note-taking have typically been the norm. Nevertheless, studies show that people effectively retain skills and knowledge through more tactile and engaging methods, such as hands-on practice, discussions, demonstrations, and teaching others what they have just learned.
*Source: National Training Laboratories Institute for Applied Behavioral Science (NTL)
✦ The Challenge
When it comes to learning or developing a new skill, some online platforms may employ less effective learning styles and may not cater directly to diverse learning preferences. According to preliminary research, many users may disengage due to a lack of accountability, motivation, or visible progress.
Given the current state of technology, there is an abundance of stimuli and a wealth of platforms and resources available for learning new skills online. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, one unchanging truth remains: Every learner is unique.
Many tend to have their preferred methods for learning most effectively, and we seek to acquire new skills for a multitude of reasons. In this comprehensive project, I set out to more clearly understand the needs and pain points of users and to build an online learning platform that accommodates this vast diversity.
year
2023
category
UI/UX
timeframe
12 weeks
role
End-to-end UI/UX Designer
tools
Figma, FigJam, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Vowel
✦ Scope & Process
73
300+
37
01
Research
✦ Goals
I aimed to comprehensively explore effective learning methods, reasons for early discontinuation, strategies to support course completion, evaluation and measurement of learning achievements, and the impact of sharing newfound knowledge. This approach would hopefully uncover diverse insights into learning behaviors, barriers, and ways to create a supportive learning environment, ultimately contributing to a holistic understanding of the user learning experience.
✦ Objectives
I sought to uncover why individuals seek to learn new skills, the prevalent types of skills they pursue, the tools and resources they currently use, their preferred learning methods, how learning integrates into their daily lives, the factors contributing to sustained motivation, and the reasons causing users to discontinue their learning.
The chosen methodology for obtaining qualitative insights was conducting user interviews. Eight participants ranging from their mid 20s to early 40s were interviewed remotely. All users had previous experience with and a genuine curiosity for online learning. For additional data, a competitor analysis of four existing platforms was performed to identify opportunities in current strengths and weaknesses.
02
Define
Through the creation of user personas, I was able draw from my research synthesis to identify unique goals, pain points, and behaviors across a number of archetypes. This served as a jumping off point for all platform ideation that would follow.
In order to develop impactful ideas, I opted for using a number of brainstorming techniques. This was crucial for visualizing the problems to be solved in order to align project goals and establish priorities that would achieve a minimum viable product.
03
Design
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✦ Sketches & Wireframes
✦ Responsive Design - Desktop
✦ The Outcome
(Work in Progress)
✦ Component Library
✦ Brand Core Values
In order for wireframes to evolve into high fidelity, proper planning needed to be taken into account. I first set out to establish the proper core values that would capture the tone of the brand's identity. I settled on the following: Accessible, Bold, Curious, Expressive, Friendly, Modern, and Vibrant. This lended itself heavily for pursuing a direction in visual style.
✦ Gathering Inspiration Through Moodboarding
✦ Logo & Visual Identity
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