UNIMI – PRODUCT & ENGINEERING TEAM
A mobile app that empowers low-income students to navigate college readiness.
TEAM
Shandeigh Palabrica, Marissa Thai, Kristy Leung, Kathy Lou, Zara Iqbal, Lexi Berryhill, Emily Flores, Leticia Mezzetti, Analisa Viloria
MY ROLE
Design & UXR
TIMELINE
Q1 2021 – Q3 2021
SOFTWARE USED
Figma
UNIMI – PRODUCT & ENGINEERING TEAM
A mobile app that empowers low-income students to navigate college readiness.
TEAM
Shandeigh Palabrica, Marissa Thai, Kristy Leung, Kathy Lou, Zara Iqbal, Lexi Berryhill, Emily Flores, Leticia Mezzetti, Analisa Viloria
MY ROLE
Design & UXR
TIMELINE
Q1 2021 – Q3 2021
SOFTWARE USED
Figma
UNIMI – PRODUCT & ENGINEERING TEAM
A mobile app that empowers low-income students to navigate college readiness.
TEAM
Shandeigh Palabrica, Marissa Thai, Kristy Leung, Kathy Lou, Zara Iqbal, Lexi Berryhill, Emily Flores, Leticia Mezzetti, Analisa Viloria
MY ROLE
Design & UXR
TIMELINE
Q1 2021 – Q3 2021
SOFTWARE USED
Figma
THE PROBLEM
Low-income high school students struggle with unclear requirements, limited support, and an overwhelming application process, leaving them unprepared for higher education.
Through competitive analysis and user interviews, we uncovered key barriers that make college readiness especially challenging for low-income high school students.
THE PROBLEM
Low-income high school students struggle with unclear requirements, limited support, and an overwhelming application process, leaving them unprepared for higher education.
Through competitive analysis and user interviews, we uncovered key barriers that make college readiness especially challenging for low-income high school students.
THE PROBLEM
Low-income high school students struggle with unclear requirements, limited support, and an overwhelming application process, leaving them unprepared for higher education.
Through competitive analysis and user interviews, we uncovered key barriers that make college readiness especially challenging for low-income high school students.
THE SOLUTION
Unimi provides personalized recommendations, clear explanations, and step-by-step guidance, empowering low-income high school students to navigate the college application process with confidence.
A glimpse of Unimi’s user-friendly interface, designed to guide students through every step of the college application process.
THE SOLUTION
Unimi provides personalized recommendations, clear explanations, and step-by-step guidance, empowering low-income high school students to navigate the college application process with confidence.
A glimpse of Unimi’s user-friendly interface, designed to guide students through every step of the college application process.
THE SOLUTION
Unimi provides personalized recommendations, clear explanations, and step-by-step guidance, empowering low-income high school students to navigate the college application process with confidence.
A glimpse of Unimi’s user-friendly interface, designed to guide students through every step of the college application process.
DESIGN PROCESS
This case study highlights how I balanced project scoping and technical constraints to focus on what students truly need.
By navigating the tension between nice-to-haves and must-haves, and driving cross-functional discussions with the dev team, I ensured that the design was both feasible and user-centered, ultimately delivering an experience that prioritizes student needs while addressing technical limitations.
DESIGN PROCESS
This case study highlights how I balanced project scoping and technical constraints to focus on what students truly need.
By navigating the tension between nice-to-haves and must-haves, and driving cross-functional discussions with the dev team, I ensured that the design was both feasible and user-centered, ultimately delivering an experience that prioritizes student needs while addressing technical limitations.
DESIGN PROCESS
This case study highlights how I balanced project scoping and technical constraints to focus on what students truly need.
By navigating the tension between nice-to-haves and must-haves, and driving cross-functional discussions with the dev team, I ensured that the design was both feasible and user-centered, ultimately delivering an experience that prioritizes student needs while addressing technical limitations.
DESIGN DECISION
Focusing on what matters
Based on UXR insights—lack of personalization, confusion, and a need for guidance—we focused on four key features: personalized onboarding, a digestible college requirement checklist, and one-on-one mentorship with counselors to empower students and simplify their college journey.
UXR insights: key findings highlighting the need for personalization, clearer guidance, and simplified processes for students.
Our solution: the four key features designed to address student needs: personalized onboarding, a digestible college checklist, and mentorship.
DESIGN DECISION
Focusing on what matters
Based on UXR insights—lack of personalization, confusion, and a need for guidance—we focused on four key features: personalized onboarding, a digestible college requirement checklist, and one-on-one mentorship with counselors to empower students and simplify their college journey.
UXR insights: key findings highlighting the need for personalization, clearer guidance, and simplified processes for students.
Our solution: the four key features designed to address student needs: personalized onboarding, a digestible college checklist, and mentorship.
DESIGN DECISION
Focusing on what matters
Based on UXR insights—lack of personalization, confusion, and a need for guidance—we focused on four key features: personalized onboarding, a digestible college requirement checklist, and one-on-one mentorship with counselors to empower students and simplify their college journey.
UXR insights: key findings highlighting the need for personalization, clearer guidance, and simplified processes for students.
Our solution: the four key features designed to address student needs: personalized onboarding, a digestible college checklist, and mentorship.
ITERATION NO.1
Making it more personal
In response to user feedback, we expanded the personalized onboarding to allow students to select their favorite activities, creating a more tailored experience that resonates with their unique interests and goals. This refinement brought us closer to delivering a truly individualized journey for each student.
Basic onboarding focused solely on class preferences.
Personalized onboarding now includes favorite activities for a richer student profile.
ITERATION NO.1
Making it more personal
In response to user feedback, we expanded the personalized onboarding to allow students to select their favorite activities, creating a more tailored experience that resonates with their unique interests and goals. This refinement brought us closer to delivering a truly individualized journey for each student.
Basic onboarding focused solely on class preferences.
Personalized onboarding now includes favorite activities for a richer student profile.
ITERATION NO.1
Making it more personal
In response to user feedback, we expanded the personalized onboarding to allow students to select their favorite activities, creating a more tailored experience that resonates with their unique interests and goals. This refinement brought us closer to delivering a truly individualized journey for each student.
Basic onboarding focused solely on class preferences.
Personalized onboarding now includes favorite activities for a richer student profile.
ITERATION NO.2
Streamlining college readiness with a trackable progress checklist
We transformed the "Classes" feature into a progress checklist, helping students track their journey toward college eligibility. By making it collapsible, we reduced overwhelm while keeping the essential details front and center.
A simple list of college classes without clear progress tracking.
A dynamic checklist that tracks A-G requirements with collapsible sections to reduce visual clutter.
ITERATION NO.2
Streamlining college readiness with a trackable progress checklist
We transformed the "Classes" feature into a progress checklist, helping students track their journey toward college eligibility. By making it collapsible, we reduced overwhelm while keeping the essential details front and center.
A simple list of college classes without clear progress tracking.
A dynamic checklist that tracks A-G requirements with collapsible sections to reduce visual clutter.
ITERATION NO.2
Streamlining college readiness with a trackable progress checklist
We transformed the "Classes" feature into a progress checklist, helping students track their journey toward college eligibility. By making it collapsible, we reduced overwhelm while keeping the essential details front and center.
A simple list of college classes without clear progress tracking.
A dynamic checklist that tracks A-G requirements with collapsible sections to reduce visual clutter.
ITERATION NO.3
A search that guides, not just finds
We reimagined the search function to prioritize student interests, allowing them to explore colleges based on their passions, not just proximity. This made the process more intuitive and relevant to their goals.
Search results were based primarily on location, limiting students to nearby schools.
Search results now prioritize student interests, making the exploration process more personalized.
ITERATION NO.3
A search that guides, not just finds
We reimagined the search function to prioritize student interests, allowing them to explore colleges based on their passions, not just proximity. This made the process more intuitive and relevant to their goals.
Search results were based primarily on location, limiting students to nearby schools.
Search results now prioritize student interests, making the exploration process more personalized.
ITERATION NO.3
A search that guides, not just finds
We reimagined the search function to prioritize student interests, allowing them to explore colleges based on their passions, not just proximity. This made the process more intuitive and relevant to their goals.
Search results were based primarily on location, limiting students to nearby schools.
Search results now prioritize student interests, making the exploration process more personalized.
FINAL SOLUTION
By addressing user feedback and refining key features like personalized onboarding and progress tracking, we crafted a product MVP that not only supports students' college readiness but also eases their insecurity and confusion throughout the process.
Personalized onboarding and a college checklist simplify the college prep process, guiding students through essential steps with tailored support and actionable progress tracking.
A mentorship feature connects students directly with counselors, while a dynamic interest-based search empowers them to explore colleges in alignment with their passions, reducing uncertainty and building confidence.
FINAL SOLUTION
By addressing user feedback and refining key features like personalized onboarding and progress tracking, we crafted a product MVP that not only supports students' college readiness but also eases their insecurity and confusion throughout the process.
Personalized onboarding and a college checklist simplify the college prep process, guiding students through essential steps with tailored support and actionable progress tracking.
A mentorship feature connects students directly with counselors, while a dynamic interest-based search empowers them to explore colleges in alignment with their passions, reducing uncertainty and building confidence.
FINAL SOLUTION
By addressing user feedback and refining key features like personalized onboarding and progress tracking, we crafted a product MVP that not only supports students' college readiness but also eases their insecurity and confusion throughout the process.
Personalized onboarding and a college checklist simplify the college prep process, guiding students through essential steps with tailored support and actionable progress tracking.
A mentorship feature connects students directly with counselors, while a dynamic interest-based search empowers them to explore colleges in alignment with their passions, reducing uncertainty and building confidence.
LESSONS LEARNED
My key takeaway: Balancing design ambition with technical feasibility
Throughout this project, I learned to prioritize user needs while collaborating closely with the dev team to navigate technical limitations. By focusing on what truly mattered to users—eliminating biases from my own knowledge of college readiness—I was able to make smart compromises and ensure a streamlined, user-focused experience.
LESSONS LEARNED
My key takeaway: Balancing design ambition with technical feasibility
Throughout this project, I learned to prioritize user needs while collaborating closely with the dev team to navigate technical limitations. By focusing on what truly mattered to users—eliminating biases from my own knowledge of college readiness—I was able to make smart compromises and ensure a streamlined, user-focused experience.
LESSONS LEARNED
My key takeaway: Balancing design ambition with technical feasibility
Throughout this project, I learned to prioritize user needs while collaborating closely with the dev team to navigate technical limitations. By focusing on what truly mattered to users—eliminating biases from my own knowledge of college readiness—I was able to make smart compromises and ensure a streamlined, user-focused experience.
Want to chat about this project?
Let’s work together!
I am open to UX & Product Design roles.
Want to chat about this project?
Let’s work together!
I am open to UX & Product Design roles.
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designed with love by kristy leung <3
kl
designed with love by kristy leung <3
kl
designed with love by kristy leung <3