top of page
UNILEEDS REDESIGN:
A MOBILE APP FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Context
This study focuses on redesigning Unileeds, which plays a vital tool as a connection between students, staff, and the University of Leeds itself.
I led the design decision-making based on the user flow and style guides, in order to create a consistent product design. Also, I crafted an overall brand system and conducted interactive prototyping. Additionally, I conducted primary research, 10 user focus groups, co-design workshops with target users, did usability tests and produced viable design ideas.
Target user
Students from
University of Leeds
Duration
3 months
Tool used
Figma, Miro, Illustrator
About Unileeds
Unileeds, a mobile application for the university of Leeds, plays a vital tool as a connection between students, staff, and the University of Leeds itself. The aims of this project include improving satisfaction and providing convenient services for students. The app design was based on questionnaires, focus groups for getting more user pain points and needs, using usability testing to test the design outcome at a later stage.
The original Unileeds app interface
Discover
Problem context
Poor user satisfaction
Unileeds has 94 ratings on the apple store, with an average rating of 2.2 out of 5. The researcher asked students who used this app to rate it out of 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest) and discovered that it had an average rating of 5.42 from students. According to these findings, more than half of students are dissatisfied with this program.
Why does it matter?
The aims of this project include improving the satisfaction of students who use the Unileeds app, leading to more effective learning and a stronger connection between the university and the students, increasing students' sense of identity and belonging to the school, helping spread campus culture, add to the school's branding features, and provide convenient services for students.
Define
Qualitative research
Questionnaires and focus groups
All participants were between the ages of 18 and 25 and were studying at the University of Leeds. A total of 33 participants were recruited for the questionnaires and 8 participants were recruited for focus groups.
Interview highlights
What do you think of the current Unileeds app?
Persona
Representation of target users- Lizzy
Design
Brainstorming
For potential features
The design of the main interface categories was therefore determined. There are five main pages: Newest events, Timetable, Functions, Modules, Personal.
Information architecture
.png)
Develop
Concepts & Lo-fi wireframe
From paper concepts to wireframe
After generating the concept, an initial user test was performed. Two users were invited to share their comments, which gave the visual style further refine, presenting key behaviours. This allowed for a better assessment of how feasible the solution was and increased the simplicity of getting feedback.
Iteration
Usability testing
Four scenarios to complete: buy a ticket to Llandudno, check the location of module DESN1234, find the newest DESN1234 announcement and deadline, check personal email.
All participants were asked to 'think aloud' so that their words and actions could be recorded and reviewed. Participants first studied the page on their own and then completed the task at the request of the researcher.
Campus life on mobile
Problem
Lack of newest events
Improvement
Add latest news within the university; newest module announcements; ticket purchase function
Better UI system
Problem
UI design is outdated, has little connection with university
Improvement
Optimise interface icon design and arrangement, align app with University's color scheme
Modules at fingertips
Problem
No direct access to course-related information
Improvement
Integrate blackboard app for Minerva section and use a similar layout
More information needed
Problem
No direct access to course-related information
Improvement
Integrate blackboard app for Minerva section and use a similar layout
Recap
These things are better:
Functionality
“Easier to get detailed information for enrolled modules without opening other apps .”
“The content of pages look much richer .”
“Easy to find and participate in recent events.”
Appearance
“Timetable is intuitive and clear.”
“More diverse and well laid out functions .”
“Clear layout and useful information .”
“The green color scheme is pleasant and represents for Uni.”
Pain points review
In terms of functionality, following changes have been made:
1. Campus events, activities and announcements are on the home page.
2. More guidance for courses- Easy reminder on home page, simple internal link to Map app
2. Combined with Blackboard app to manage modules
In conclusion, the new version of Unileeds app provides a better STUDENT CONNECTION.
Design system
bottom of page