Stugo
Stugo
Stugo
Role
Sole Product Designer
Role
Sole Product Designer
Role
Sole Product Designer
Timeline
May 2023 - August 2023
Timeline
May 2023 - August 2023
Timeline
May 2023 - August 2023
Collaboration
2 Frontend Developers
2 Backend Developers
Collaboration
2 Frontend Developers
2 Backend Developers
Collaboration
2 Frontend Developers
2 Backend Developers
Award
SEEDs 2023 Best Problem Solution
Award
SEEDs 2023 Best Problem Solution
Award
SEEDs 2023 Best Problem Solution
Tools
Figma
Procreate
Tools
Figma
Procreate
Tools
Figma
Procreate
As the lead designer in the Dandilyonn SEEDS 2023 program, I created StuGo—a ride-sharing app for college students tackling travel challenges, especially for international and out-of-state students. StuGo won the SEEDs 2023 Best Problem Solution award and was validated by 90% of testing students as a trusted and effective solution.
As the lead designer in the Dandilyonn SEEDS 2023 program, I created StuGo—a ride-sharing app for college students tackling travel challenges, especially for international and out-of-state students. StuGo won the SEEDs 2023 Best Problem Solution award and was validated by 90% of testing students as a trusted and effective solution.
Built a 0 → 1 product with iterative user feedback loops and obsessive attention to detail.
Built a 0 → 1 product with iterative user feedback loops and obsessive attention to detail.
Built a 0 → 1 product with iterative user feedback loops and obsessive attention to detail.
— Background
— Background
Dandilyonn SEEDs Program Overview
Dandilyonn SEEDs Program Overview
What is it
A three-month summer program empowering female college students to develop impactful projects and showcase their work in a culminating hack challenge.
What is it
A three-month summer program empowering female college students to develop impactful projects and showcase their work in a culminating hack challenge.
What is it
A three-month summer program empowering female college students to develop impactful projects and showcase their work in a culminating hack challenge.
Who are behind the program
Our judges and mentors are Designers and Engineers from Amazon and Adobe.
Who are behind the program
Our judges and mentors are Designers and Engineers from Amazon and Adobe.
Who are behind the program
Our judges and mentors are Designers and Engineers from Amazon and Adobe.
How many participants
40+ participants
10 teams
How many participants
40+ participants
10 teams
How many participants
40+ participants
10 teams
Tackling Transportation Gaps for College Students
Tackling Transportation Gaps for College Students
We received a very vague and general prompt:
For schools in smaller College towns, getting an Uber is not one click away but many social events, airport travel, shopping requires public or a way for private transportation. Can you imagine how to make either or both more accessible using an app?
We received a very vague and general prompt:
For schools in smaller College towns, getting an Uber is not one click away but many social events, airport travel, shopping requires public or a way for private transportation. Can you imagine how to make either or both more accessible using an app?
We received a very vague and general prompt:
For schools in smaller College towns, getting an Uber is not one click away but many social events, airport travel, shopping requires public or a way for private transportation. Can you imagine how to make either or both more accessible using an app?
— Problems and Opportunity
— Problems and Opportunity
Far From Home, Closer to Stress: Fragmented Travel Info Leaves International and Out-of-State Students Stranded
Far From Home, Closer to Stress: Fragmented Travel Info Leaves International and Out-of-State Students Stranded
College students, particularly those from international or out-of-state backgrounds, face obstacles in navigating local transport options, organizing trips to airports, or finding transportation for social and academic events.
College students, particularly those from international or out-of-state backgrounds, face obstacles in navigating local transport options, organizing trips to airports, or finding transportation for social and academic events.
Current solutions involve fragmented online groups and inconsistent information across social media.
Current solutions involve fragmented online groups and inconsistent information across social media.
It is difficult for students to plan trips or connect with peers for ride-sharing.
It is difficult for students to plan trips or connect with peers for ride-sharing.
Opportunity
Opportunity
How might we design a mobile app that fosters a strong travel community, helping college students confidently navigate transportation and find trustworthy, affordable ride-sharing options?
How might we design a mobile app that fosters a strong travel community, helping college students confidently navigate transportation and find trustworthy, affordable ride-sharing options?
— Research
— Research
Research Reveals: International and Out-of-State Students Struggle with Disorientation and Lack of Centralized Travel Resources
Research Reveals: International and Out-of-State Students Struggle with Disorientation and Lack of Centralized Travel Resources
8+ Interviews
8+ Interviews
20+ Surveys
20+ Surveys
Students express difficulty in finding centralized travel information, leading to anxiety and uncertainty
Students express difficulty in finding centralized travel information, leading to anxiety and uncertainty
International students and out-of-state students face disorientation in connecting with peers and find travel communities
International students and out-of-state students face disorientation in connecting with traveling communities
Market Research Uncovers Untapped Niche: A Ride-Sharing Community Exclusively for College Students
Market Research Uncovers Untapped Niche: A Ride-Sharing Community Exclusively for College Students
Niche Market
Niche Market
After conducting an extensive competitive analysis with multiple travel applications, it's clear that StuGo is entering a niche market with no direct competitors in the realm of building a ride-sharing community tailored for college students
After conducting an extensive competitive analysis with multiple travel applications, it's clear that StuGo is entering a niche market with no direct competitors in the realm of building a ride-sharing community tailored for college students
— The problems have now been reframed
— The problems have now been reframed
College students struggle with independent travel, especially international and out-of-state students, because of
College students struggle with independent travel, especially international and out-of-state students, because of
Lack of reliable, centralized and consistent information resources from peers
Lack of reliable, centralized and consistent information resources from peers
Lack of school and community support and connection
Lack of school and community support and connection
Unfamiliarity with local transportation networks and routes
Unfamiliarity with local transportation networks and routes
— Solutions Preview
— Solutions Preview
Tailored Solutions for Student Travel: Connecting and Empowering College travel Communities
Tailored Solutions for Student Travel: Connecting and Empowering College travel Communities
Ridesharing with easily accessible ride offers and request features
Ridesharing with easily accessible ride offers and request features
Students can also learn traveling tips and advice from peers
Students can also learn traveling tips and advice from peers
College students now can connect and share rides in a close-knit community
College students now can connect and share rides in a close-knit community
Ride requests and Ride Offers
Where they can see all ride and travel information from their peers
Sort and Filter
Easily control the search flow for the ride you want
Customize your Request
Request a ride in just ~25s
Ride requests and Ride Offers where they can see all of the ride and travel information from their peers.
Easily sort and filter to search for the ride you want
Request a ride in just ~25s
Ride requests and Ride Offers where they can see all of the ride and travel information from their peers.
Easily sort and filter to search for the ride you want
Request a ride in just ~25s
Ride requests and Ride Offers where they can see all of the ride and travel information from their peers.
Easily sort and filter to search for the ride you want
Request a ride in just ~25s
Ride requests and Ride Offers where they can see all of the ride and travel information from their peers.
Easily sort and filter to search for the ride you want
Request a ride in just ~25s
— Challenges
— Challenges
Overcoming Challenges: Balancing Ambitious Goals with Time Constraints
Overcoming Challenges: Balancing Ambitious Goals with Time Constraints
At first we expanded our customer target to 3 MAIN USER GROUPS!!!
After discussing the complexities of implementing the database system and workflows for our three main user groups—students, instructors, and parents—with my team of developers, I realized that the task is quite challenging given our time constraints.
At first we expanded our customer target to 3 MAIN USER GROUPS!!!
After discussing the complexities of implementing the database system and workflows for our three main user groups—students, instructors, and parents—with my team of developers, I realized that the task is quite challenging given our time constraints.
At first we expanded our customer target to 3 MAIN USER GROUPS!!!
After discussing the complexities of implementing the database system and workflows for our three main user groups—students, instructors, and parents—with my team of developers, I realized that the task is quite challenging given our time constraints.
— Ideation
— Ideation
Onboarding: Building Trust and a Verified Community to Ensure Safe, Seamless User Experiences
Onboarding: Building Trust and a Verified Community to Ensure Safe, Seamless User Experiences
What information do we need to share with our users to help them understand the benefits of our app?
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
What information do we need from users to create a verified and trustworthy user community?
How might we provide affordable and reliable transportation services tailored for college students?
Initial Onboarding
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
13 Screens
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
72+ seconds to complete
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Users are frustrated
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Keep users engaged in a short and effective onboarding
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
I combines and concise 8 questions into 5 and placed them in just 1 frame. Making sure that I just need the necessary information.
I added a driver's license upload step for users selecting "driver" during onboarding, with an option to skip and a note clarifying it's only required for offering rides.
Final Onboarding
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
13 Screens
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
7 Screens
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
>72s
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
~25s
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Increase Users’ satisfaction up to 95%
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Community Page: Creating a Centralized Hub for College Students to Connect and Share Travel Experiences
Community Page: Creating a Centralized Hub for College Students to Connect and Share Travel Experiences
Clearly labeled and categorized groups
Public and private groups serve different purposes and offer options for users
Students can discover compatible travel groups and connect with like-minded individuals.
I explored some interations for the Community Page
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Option 1
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Option 2
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Condensed Horizontal Layout: Enhancing Exploration but Straining User Navigation
Condensed Horizontal Layout: Enhancing Exploration but Straining User Navigation
Option 3
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Efficient Exploration Interface: Balancing Recommendations and User Groups
Efficient Exploration Interface: Balancing Recommendations and User Groups
Option 4
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Direct City Exploration: Broadening Search, but Navigational Challenges
Direct City Exploration: Broadening Search, but Navigational Challenges
I decided to go with Option 3:
It provides more space for Your group, allows users to see the full list by scrolling down without an extra click, which is simpler and more intuitive.
The recommended groups take less space but staying on top allows it to capture the users’ attention but not too overwhelming.
Vertical Layout Consistency: Improved Information Mapping but Navigation Challenges
Explore Page: Centralizing Affordable Ride-Sharing for Effortless Student Travel
Explore Page: Centralizing Affordable Ride-Sharing for Effortless Student Travel
By providing a centralized platform for ride offers and requests, StuGo eliminates the need for users to search across multiple platforms or rely on informal communication channels to find ride-sharing opportunities.
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
Integrating ride-sharing options directly into the Explore page promotes cost-effective transportation alternatives, aligning with students' value for affordability.
How might we provide affordable and reliable transportation services tailored for college students?
Ride offered card iterations
User Testing:
"It's challenging to quickly absorb information, especially when I need to navigate through numerous cards on the screen"
"The button name is confusing for me"I employed an icon to represent the "available seats" count
Eliminated non-essential details like car type based on feedback from student customers who expressed that it wasn't a crucial factor for them.
Additionally, I streamlined button label with more straightforward name
Ride request card iterations
User Testing:
"It's hard for me to scan through information and get the most important one that I need."
"I'm unable to discern the expiration time of the card request in order to contact the person at an appropriate time."I consolidated Passenger information for consistency
Included an expiration time for cards, facilitating better management for both drivers and riders
Search Form iterations
User Testing:
"The toggle button seems not clear and prominent enough to see that I'm in the right search."
"It's very confusing for me when I see the groceries share, and ride share at a time in this app."Simplify the search process by enforcing consistent and necessary input requirements. And we also decided to first focus on the ride-sharing feature.
Ride offered card iterations
User Testing:
"It's challenging to quickly absorb information, especially when I need to navigate through numerous cards on the screen"
"The button name is confusing for me"I employed an icon to represent the "available seats" count
Eliminated non-essential details like car type based on feedback from student customers who expressed that it wasn't a crucial factor for them.
Additionally, I streamlined button label with more straightforward name
Ride request card iterations
User Testing:
"It's hard for me to scan through information and get the most important one that I need."
"I'm unable to discern the expiration time of the card request in order to contact the person at an appropriate time."I consolidated Passenger information for consistency
Included an expiration time for cards, facilitating better management for both drivers and riders
Search Form iterations
User Testing:
"The toggle button seems not clear and prominent enough to see that I'm in the right search."
"It's very confusing for me when I see the groceries share, and ride share at a time in this app."Simplify the search process by enforcing consistent and necessary input requirements. And we also decided to first focus on the ride-sharing feature.
Ride offered card iterations
User Testing:
"It's challenging to quickly absorb information, especially when I need to navigate through numerous cards on the screen"
"The button name is confusing for me"I employed an icon to represent the "available seats" count
Eliminated non-essential details like car type based on feedback from student customers who expressed that it wasn't a crucial factor for them.
Additionally, I streamlined button label with more straightforward name
Ride request card iterations
User Testing:
"It's hard for me to scan through information and get the most important one that I need."
"I'm unable to discern the expiration time of the card request in order to contact the person at an appropriate time."I consolidated Passenger information for consistency
Included an expiration time for cards, facilitating better management for both drivers and riders
Search Form iterations
User Testing:
"The toggle button seems not clear and prominent enough to see that I'm in the right search."
"It's very confusing for me when I see the groceries share, and ride share at a time in this app."Simplify the search process by enforcing consistent and necessary input requirements. And we also decided to first focus on the ride-sharing feature.
Ride offered card iterations
User Testing:
"It's challenging to quickly absorb information, especially when I need to navigate through numerous cards on the screen"
"The button name is confusing for me"I employed an icon to represent the "available seats" count
Eliminated non-essential details like car type based on feedback from student customers who expressed that it wasn't a crucial factor for them.
Additionally, I streamlined button label with more straightforward name
Ride request card iterations
User Testing:
"It's hard for me to scan through information and get the most important one that I need."
"I'm unable to discern the expiration time of the card request in order to contact the person at an appropriate time."I consolidated Passenger information for consistency
Included an expiration time for cards, facilitating better management for both drivers and riders
Search Form iterations
User Testing:
"The toggle button seems not clear and prominent enough to see that I'm in the right search."
"It's very confusing for me when I see the groceries share, and ride share at a time in this app."Simplify the search process by enforcing consistent and necessary input requirements. And we also decided to first focus on the ride-sharing feature.
Ride offered card iterations
Ride request card iterations
Search Form iterations
Ride offered card iterations
Ride request card iterations
Search Form iterations
Ride offered card iterations
Ride request card iterations
Search Form iterations
Ride offered card iterations
Ride request card iterations
Search Form iterations
Final Iterations
How might we build collaborative and informative traveling communities for college students?
— Current Outcomes
— Current Outcomes
High User Satisfaction and Recognition for Our Solution
High User Satisfaction and Recognition for Our Solution
95% Users happy with the feature of the app and would love to install it when it’s finished
95% Users happy with the feature of the app and would love to install it when it’s finished
90% international and out-of-state students agreed that using the app for their travel planning would effectively address their challenges
90% international and out-of-state students agreed that using the app for their travel planning would effectively address their challenges
Received the "Best Problem Solution" award during the Final Presentation, recognizing our innovative approach and effective solutions
Received the "Best Problem Solution" award during the Final Presentation, recognizing our innovative approach and effective solutions
— Reflection
— Reflection
Key Learnings and Growth
Key Learnings and Growth
Never be afraid to take the initiative
Never be afraid to take the initiative
Stepping into a group of strangers from various universities, I took the initiative to prepare a comprehensive Meeting Agenda, set up a working timeline, and establish collaborative tools like Figma, Notion, and Drive. This proactive approach fostered a comfortable, efficient environment where everyone felt encouraged to speak up and collaborate. By setting a tone of commitment, the team quickly developed camaraderie and enthusiasm, resulting in open discussions and a productive, harmonious dynamic.
Stepping into a group of strangers from various universities, I took the initiative to prepare a comprehensive Meeting Agenda, set up a working timeline, and establish collaborative tools like Figma, Notion, and Drive. This proactive approach fostered a comfortable, efficient environment where everyone felt encouraged to speak up and collaborate. By setting a tone of commitment, the team quickly developed camaraderie and enthusiasm, resulting in open discussions and a productive, harmonious dynamic.
Test test test!!!
Test test test!!!
User testing became a pivotal part of my design process, where each iteration and usability test uncovered valuable insights. The joy of learning directly from users was incredibly rewarding, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for their needs. This journey not only refined my designs but also inspired me to continually improve.
User testing became a pivotal part of my design process, where each iteration and usability test uncovered valuable insights. The joy of learning directly from users was incredibly rewarding, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for their needs. This journey not only refined my designs but also inspired me to continually improve.
The goal isn’t to impress others– it’s to solve a problem efficiently and collaboratively
The goal isn’t to impress others– it’s to solve a problem efficiently and collaboratively
I used to prioritize aesthetics over functionality, often creating beautiful but less effective designs. In this project, I shifted focus, starting with low and medium-fidelity designs, which improved problem-solving. Google Material Design played a key role, providing components that streamlined my design thinking and enhanced user testing.
I used to prioritize aesthetics over functionality, often creating beautiful but less effective designs. In this project, I shifted focus, starting with low and medium-fidelity designs, which improved problem-solving. Google Material Design played a key role, providing components that streamlined my design thinking and enhanced user testing.
