FALL 2023 VIST 405- Interactive Studio Project
Link to prototype: https://www.figma.com/file/9kHUwjrKrBKVDTsHwOTYUM/Minnow?type=design&node-id=0%3A1&mode=design&t=hU7uPnWv89NKoESb-1
Minnow promotional "ad"
OVERVIEW
Minnow is a mobile application for prospective students to explore college campuses nationwide and for current students to connect and get involved with their school.
Minnow's main purpose is to provide information about college campuses, the college’s culture, and related events. The app is driven primarily by student-created content, allowing for an authentic and up-to-date perspective on the schools. Ultimately, the app will familiarize users with the colleges and develop a sense of community among students, enrolled or not.
TEAM
Catherine Bao, Heather An
PROGRAMS USED
Figma, Illustrator, InDesign, AfterEffects, Notion
MY ROLE
Concept Development, User Research, App Prototyping,
Process Book
The challenge
There are many resources available to research prospective schools. How can we improve the online experience to make it more authentic and comprehensive?
User Research
We created a survey that asked what students valued in a college and how helpful online information was in helping students make their decision. We received data from both high school students and current college students.
Takeaways
- Currently, most students look to online resources to research majors, costs, and locations.
- There are plenty of resources online to learn about a school, but oftentimes it is overwhelming to navigate, or students are unsure what exactly they need to be researching.
- With campus visits, respondents believe that viewing the campus environment, aesthetics, and the feel of the surrounding city most influenced their decision when touring a college.
Survey Data
App Features
Home Page: Calendar functionality to add club meetings, school events, etc. Preview of popular points of interest in the area of the school.
Map Page: Interactive map featuring major landmarks and other notable locations on campus. Each major landmark is tagged so that students can view and post pictures. A "Day in the Life" are curated guides that prospective students can follow along and see where a student goes on an average day.
Photo Board: A photo feed where current students, organizations, and the University can post pictures relating to college life. Prospective students can view the photo board to get a glimpse of campus life, college traditions, etc. Current students can post and interact with each other on the photo board.
Question Board: Users can ask and answer questions on a public message board.
Home Page
Map/Explore Page
Photo Board
