TutorConnect App
Project Overview
Design an app that allows tutors to list their services and parents to schedule time with tutors.
Role
UX Designer
Responsibilities
Research, testing, wireframing, and prototyping
Duration
Approximately 2 months: November - December 2024
The problem:
The online tutor market is vast, offering various services and preferences to users. Sifting through all of them can be challenging to find the one that meets the users needs.
The goal:
The goal of the TutorConnect app is to allow users to search, browse, and schedule tutor services that match their specific needs, whether that's recurring sessions, or language preferences.
EMPATHIZE & DEFINE
Summary
Similar to other projects, the TutorConnect app was a combination of tactics ranging from competitor research, user research, and personas to empathize with and define the users needs.
User personas were developed with the assistance of AI to dive deeper into the lives and potential motivations and hinderances that users might encounter.
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The personas used for the TutorConnect app highlighted below, reflect user profiles and more importantly the Problem Statements that give a glimpse into their struggles or concerns.
Empathy maps created after sifting through all of the research resulted in a true visual of what the user might say, think, feel, and do. This would be the one of the final steps in determining what's needed to build a product that ultimately will meet the users' unique circumstances. Below is the visual reference of the map used for the TutorConnect project.
User pain points
Results from the initial user research led to the following as potential pain points that will drive the next phase of ideating the apps elements and layout moving forward:
1
Accessibility
Whether a language barrier, vision or other impairment, they can all be challenging when scheduling a tutor.
2
Scheduling
Some users need repeated sessions with a tutor.
3
Language
Tutors that offer alternative languages will benefit those that aren’t 100% fluent in English
IDEATION
Digital wireframes
After empathizing with the user, and completing various forms of research for the TutorConnect app, the next task was to begin the ideation phase by generating multiple iterations of potential layouts and element placements. After these were digitally created on an iPad, markings were placed next to elements that were deemed key to the needs of the user and carried over to the next ideation phase.
Hi-fi prototype
After iterating on the low-fidelity design it was time to begin work on the high-fidelity prototype for the TutorConnect app.
Branding
Branding was established with color and imagery being added. Placeholder text, including profiles, and reviews were created utilizing AI, moving the design to a strong representation of what the final production would appear.​​​​​​​​​​​​
Design Iteration
The following are changes that resulted from moderated usability studies to ensure the needs of the user were met, enabling the best opportunity to find a tutor.​​
Before
After user testing, a recurring sessions quantity selector was added to support users that need various multiple sessions.
After
Before
A progress bar was placed on each page, adding a visual element that illustrates where the user is in the tutor booking process.
After
Before
Order confirmation page was updated to an overlay, that when closed, navigates back to the homescreen.
After
Accessibility considerations
1
Font and typeface were chosen to allow for maximum legibility.
2
Color palette uses ideal colors to guide the user through the steps needed to schedule a tutor.
3
Text blocks were kept to shorter lengths to accommodate users with vision limitations.
Takeaways
Usability testing revealed TutorConnect's clear guidance, with users praising its intuitive step-by-step flow. This project underscored the competitive online tutor market and the need for strong differentiation. As the course's final project, a refined process was applied to meet user needs. Further improvements could include:
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Complete building out tutor preferences.
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Build out user flow allowing tutors to submit their services.