A progressive web app that helps users decide on the most compatible course of study with smart comparison tools, key statistics, community, etc. , while guiding them on the next step to achieve their primary goal.
Unique Features: Decision Wizard, Comparison tools, Implementation of psychological models
Young people in their early twenties who want to study a BA in design have difficulties choosing a course of study that best suits them, primarily due to confusing and incohesive information available online, and the inability to compare their preferred options. Even when they do manage to compare the available courses by connecting data from various sources, they lack decision-making experience due to their young age.
Wrong decisions
Choosing a profession / school that doesn’t match their needs and expectations
Frustration
Feeling overwhelmed from the long process, missing deadlines, options and objective guidance
Waste of Money & Energy
On research, consulting, pre-university programs, and interviews/tryouts
Decision-making can be anxiety-inducing due to the long application processes, deadlines, and low acceptance rates.
I began my complex research by creating a mind map in order to visually understand the various fields, subjects, competitors, parallel platforms, and apps.
Simplification of the process
How to display the different fields/schools in a clear way?
How can I help the users define their goal?
Leading the user to make a decision
What tools and information can help the users?
How to examine and grade different criteria?
Which design models/methods can I use?
Taking the User by the Hand
Guiding them to the next step and displaying their progress
I started researching people from diverse universities and degrees to provide a more comprehensive solution. As I progressed with my interviews I realised that the differences regarding the various processes, information, options and users’ criteria were too significant. I understood that if I wanted to bring more value to the users, it would be best to focus on one particular field.
I conversed with graduates from various universities and design fields. We discussed their experiences, the research they conducted, their resources, what helped them make a decision, what info could have helped them, and the people with whom they consulted.
Only 50% are fully satisfied with their choice of study
And 30% of them would have chosen a different field of study given more information
According to a study conducted in the U.S, the average person makes:
Decisions on food only
Decisions in general
This can explain why deciding on something as important as what course to study can be so difficult.
*Cornell University (Wansink and Sobal, 2007)
Convenience
Boost self-confidence
Clarity
Complete a comparison
Choose design field
and school
Throughout the design flow, I’ve implemented decision-making models to help the users with the cognitive load and the decision-making process, such as
Rational decision-making model, Bounded rationality, The paradox of choice by Prof. Barry Schwartz, and models from books like - ”Small move, Big change” by Caroline L.Arnold.
Whether it’s about choosing a degree, school, or a specific profession in the design field, this helps navigate the users to the relevant information. Start their research with a short video on full screen to grab their attention.
Provide the essential info to prevent cognitive load and give the option to research and receive valuable and more in-depth info to better understand the differences and their options.
After defining a starting point, researching and narrowing down the options, it’s time to compare:
- Let the users choose
(4- 6) and decide the importance of each criterion.
- Breakdown the decision.
- Recommend the highest option.
See full wireframes
The main issues mentioned in the interviews I conducted was the difficulty for applicants to understand what to do at each stage of the process, and the pressure to register and submit everything on time. To tackle these challenges, I’ve designed a timeline (API with google calendar) and provide the next step.
To increase engagement and add more value to the user
Preparing for the tryouts
Tools and networking
Creating an online portfolio while studying
Design Concept | UX, UI
Created by me, for you :)
All rights reserved
Credits: Motion Design - Nitzan Lahav, UI (Fair&square) - Matat Bar-kochva
