The Problem

Students struggle to find suitable study environments.

The Solution

Goals & Objectives: Empowering students to find their perfect spot.

Competitive Analysis

Understanding the landscape and identifying opportunities.

Before designing StuddySpotter, we conducted a thorough competitive analysis to understand existing solutions and identify gaps in the market. Our goal was to pinpoint how StuddySpotter could offer a uniquely tailored and superior experience for students seeking new study locations.

Key Competitors & Our Differentiators:

• •Google Maps/Yelp: While these platforms offer location search and general reviews, they lack specialized filters (e.g., noise level, outlet availability, group-friendly) crucial for students. Their reviewed locations are broad, not focused on study environment specifics. StuddySpotter caters for student centric criteria and a community focused solely on study spots.

• •University-Specific Apps/Websites: Some universities have internal systems for campus study spaces, but these are usually limited to a single university and lack broader access to public spaces like cafes. They also rarely offer rating/review systems. StuddySpotter offers a nationwide scope with diverse location types and the ability to rate/review.

StuddySpotter's Competitive Edge:

• •Hyper focused Niche: Dedicated solely to study locations (Cafe's, Libraries).

• •Detailed Filtering: Custom filters beyond basic amenities, catering to the basic student needs.

• •Community-Driven Content: User-generated ratings and reviews from a peer-to-peer perspective.

• •Cross-Campus & Beyond: Ability to switch between university campuses and explore external study spots.

Research & Testing

Understanding user needs and validating our design.

To ensure StuddySpotter truly meets the needs of students, we conducted extensive user research throughout the design and development phases. Our methodology included surveys, interviews, and both moderated and unmoderated usability tests.

Key Research Findings: Assumptions Validated

• •Student Priorities: Students consistently prioritize Wi-Fi quality, outlet availability, and ambient noise levels when choosing a study spot.
  
  Validated. 7/7 students.

• •Collaboration & Amenities: Many students actively seek locations suitable for group collaboration or those offering convenient food and beverage options.
  
  Validated. 6/7 students.

• •Tailored Review Experience: There's a demand for a "Yelp-like" review experience specifically tailored to the unique criteria of study environments, allowing them to see real reviews from real students.
  
  Validated. 5/7 students.

Key Features

Core functionalities for a seamless experience.

StuddySpotter is built around a strong set of features designed to make finding the perfect study spot effortless and efficient, empowering students to find their optimal learning environment.

Key Features Implemented:

Additional Features:

Initial Screens: First Concepts.

These screens represent our initial design concepts, translating early research insights into a tangible user interface. They served as a foundation for further iteration and refinement based on user feedback.

Testing + Improvements

Iterating on user feedback for continuous enhancement.

After usability testing with 10+ students, both moderated and unmoderated, we gathered invaluable insights that helped guide our iterative design process. We specifically focused on enhancing the user experience and addressing pain points identified during testing to create a more seamless and intuitive application.

Usability Testing Insights from Maze:

• 1.Writing a Review: The flow for writing a review was largely intuitive, with a 83% direct success rate. Minor friction points were identified in the initial rating selection process, which we'll address in the next iteration.

• 2.Switching Campuses: Users found the "Switch Campus" functionality easily accessible, achieving a 100% success rate. The clear labeling and prominent placement contributed to this high completion rate.

• 3.Bookmarking a Study Location: Bookmarking a favorite spot was straightforward for 83% of testers. A few users initially looked for the bookmark icon in unexpected places, suggesting a need for visual consistency.

• 4.Filtering for a Study Spot: The filtering system demonstrated strong effectiveness, with 92% of users successfully applying filters to find specific study spots. The ability to combine multiple filters was particularly well-received.

Key Improvements Made:

• •Enhanced Filter & Search Accessibility: The location of filtering and search controls was optimized. Previously less accessible, these features were redesigned to be more prominent and intuitive, directly addressing user confusion and improving discoverability.

• •Moved Review & Bookmark Placement: The ability to write a review and bookmark a study location was moved from below the map and place information to a more prominent position above, making these key actions easier for users to find and utilize.

• •Optimized Performance: Focused on reducing loading times and improving overall app responsiveness for a smoother user journey, including the implementation of skeleton loading for a better perceived performance experience.

Example: Search & Filter Redesign

• •Initially, our search bar and filters were hidden or less accessible, leading to significant user confusion and difficulty in finding specific study spots.

• •We redesigned the interface to make the search bar more prominent and refined the filter system to be intuitive and easily discoverable, allowing users to quickly and confidently apply their desired criteria.

• •Clear visual cues for active filters were added, ensuring users always know their current selections at a glance and can easily modify their search.

Example: Review & Bookmark Placement

• •Initially, the review and bookmark options were placed below the study spot information and map, making them difficult for users to discover quickly because its below the device viewheight.

• •Based on user feedback, we moved these crucial interaction points to a more prominent position directly above the study spot details.

• •This repositioning significantly improved the discoverability and engagement with the rating, review, and bookmarking functionalities.

Next Steps: Evolving StuddySpotter.

• •Student Ambassador Program: Launch a program to recruit dedicated student ambassadors at each university who will help curate local study spots, organize community events, and serve as direct liaisons for feedback and growth.

• •Gamification: Introduce engaging activities like badges or points for contributing insightful reviews and discovering new study spots, encouraging active participation.

• •School-Specific Integrations: Explore partnerships with universities to integrate campus maps, building layouts, and specific student resources directly into the app for a more tailored experience.

Conclusion + Lessons Learned

Key takeaways from the StuddySpotter journey.

Developing StuddySpotter has been an incredibly insightful experience, highlighting the importance of continuous user feedback in the product development lifecycle. This journey reinforced my understanding of how iterative design, can significantly impact a product's usability, and success.

• •The Power of Iteration: Even with thorough initial research, real-world usability testing consistently reveals unforeseen pain points. Dedicating enough time for multiple testing cycles and iterative design is crucial for creating a user centered product.

• •Balancing Features: It's tempting to add a many different features, but prioritizing core functionalities and perfecting them before expanding is key to making a good product. This prevents bloat and ensures a solid user experience.

Sticker Sheet

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