Matt Bateman
UX Design:
LearnWith
In 2023 I was tasked to create a digital project that could benefit my local community for social good. The result was LearnWith, an app that would connect learners and tutors and help them schedule tutoring sessions. My own personal experience volunteering as a tutor helped inform my choices as I had seen how scheduling and availability was often a major pain point for informal education, especially in the post-COVID world.
Over the course of this project, I performed user research, created personas, designed wireframes and mockups, ran usability studies, and created a functional, high-fidelity prototype.
After completing initial user research, to ensure I was focusing on the user, I created three personas to highlight main requirements of the userbase. Each persona helped define diferent areas of need that the app would address.
My next step was completing a competetive audit and beginning to ideate design sketches. I began on paper but soon transitioned to digital wireframes.
After creating a low-fidelity prototype, I was able to begin user testing. I ran an unmoderated usability study that produced sevveral key findings. A major step was to pivot away from a class-like structure, and to focus entirely on scheduling meetings between tutors and students.
Other results from the study indicated a need for improved navigation, and the ability to learn more about tutors before scheduling. I implemented these updates as I began my high-fidelity wireframes.
The last step for this project was a high-fidelity prototype created in Figma. While the project was completed, I ran an additional small round of user testing, which indicated areas of future growth if the project were to be realized. This included integration with existing video conferencing apps or calendars, and connections to other educational hubs.
Overall, the reaction was positive. While I initially envisioned a broad, all-encompassing service, this process helped me see how a more narrow approach can strengthen your end result. Focusing on a few essential tasks greatly improved the concept and functionality of the app.
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