Lightspeed x-series

Overview

A summer program for elementary students where camp meets enrichment.

The goal of this project was to re-design the summer camp application process to a more seamless and user-friendly experience with a focus on revamping the presentation of the program selection.

Details

Type: Web app | Team Project | 3 Designers| Role: Research, Wireframes, User flows, Sketches, Test, Hi-fi Designs | Client: EXPLO | 3 Weeks | Tools: Sketch, Axure, InVision, Photoshop

Problem Discovery

EXPLO, dedicated to fostering young minds through exploration, identified a critical challenge within the summer camp application process. The existing system faced inefficiencies and user experience hurdles, particularly in the presentation of program selections.

Users encountered obstacles ranging from a lack of intuitive navigation to unclear program information.
The cumbersome nature of the application process resulted in potential participants and their families experiencing frustration and confusion. The intricacies of selecting and understanding available programs posed a barrier, hindering a smooth application experience. Furthermore, the disjointed presentation of program details led to a disconnect between the organization's mission and the application journey, impacting the overall accessibility and appeal of EXPLO's enriching summer opportunities.

Recognizing the need for improvement, this project aims to address these pain points, providing a more seamless, engaging, and user-friendly application experience that aligns seamlessly with EXPLO's mission of educational exploration.

Objectives

EXPLO gave us a problem to tackle—they wanted to make it easier for people to apply and understand how the selection process works. Many applicants were getting confused, especially when it came to choosing a program, and a lot of them were leaving the application without finishing it.

While we validated the biggest problem they came to us with, there were a number of smaller ones we hoped to address along the way.

- Streamline the user journey by implementing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Refine the presentation of program selections, providing clearer, more engaging information to empower users in making informed choices.
- Improve the overall accessibility of program details, breaking down informational barriers.
- Include incorporating features that foster a sense of excitement and anticipation, aligning with the spirit.
- Create an application experience that resonates with the organization's commitment to educational exploration, making the journey as enriching as the programs themselves.

Goals

- To enhance the overall user experience by simplifying and streamlining the application journey with primary focus on presenting program selections in a more engaging and informative manner, ensuring that users can easily comprehend the unique educational opportunities available.
- To reduce friction points in the application process, fostering a seamless transition from program exploration to successful enrollment.
- To elevate the visual appeal of program details, creating an immersive and exciting digital space that reflects the spirit of exploration inherent in EXPLO's mission.

Research

User Interviews

To delve into the challenges EXPLO faced with its confusing registration process, a comprehensive research approach was undertaken, combining user interviews and contextual inquiries. This dual-method strategy aimed to gain a holistic understanding of how both current and potential users interact with the site and to validate the reported problems.

User interviews provided a valuable platform for direct engagement with participants, enabling us to unravel their experiences, pain points, and expectations during the registration process. These interviews offered qualitative insights into the nuances of user interactions, allowing us to capture not only what users were doing but also why they made certain choices and how they interpreted the presented information.

Complementing this, contextual inquiries involved observing users as they navigated the site in real-time, offering a firsthand perspective on their interactions. This approach was particularly effective in uncovering any discrepancies between user intentions and system responses during the registration process. By immersing ourselves in the users' digital environment, we gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges they encountered, allowing us to identify areas of confusion or misinterpretation.

Through this research approach, the goal was not only to validate reported problems but also to uncover latent issues that users might not explicitly articulate. The rich qualitative data gathered from user interviews and contextual inquiries serves as a foundation for informed decision-making, ensuring that the subsequent design and optimization efforts are rooted in a nuanced understanding of user behaviors, perceptions, and needs.

- Users require a clear and straightforward presentation of program options during the registration process to accurately select the desired programs for participation.

- Users need an intuitive navigation system that guides them seamlessly through the registration steps, reducing confusion and ensuring a smooth experience.

- Users require transparent and comprehensive information about each program, including details about the curriculum, activities, and any prerequisites, to make informed decisions.

- Users want a simplified and streamlined registration process with minimal steps, reducing the time and effort required to complete the application.

- Users desire a visually appealing interface that engages and excites them about the diverse programs EXPLO offers, making the exploration and selection process enjoyable.

- Users want the system to provide personalized recommendations based on their interests, helping them discover programs that align with their preferences.

- Users may desire interactive previews of each program, such as multimedia content or virtual tours, to get a better sense of the program's atmosphere and offerings.

- Users may desire real-time assistance features, such as chat support or tooltips, to provide immediate clarification and guidance during the registration process.

- Users may desire community and social features integrated into the registration platform, facilitating connections with other participants and creating a sense of shared excitement.

Research debriefing and affinity mapping

Solution Discovery

Embracing a collaborative and iterative design process, the solution discovery phase was marked by extensive whiteboard sessions, serving as dynamic canvases for rapidly sharing and refining ideas. Our team engaged in collective brainstorming and sketching activities to delve deep into understanding the intricacies of the application steps and to visualize how to represent them effectively.

Whiteboards provided an agile platform for us to map out the user journey, breaking down the registration process into digestible steps. Through sketches and visual representations, we aimed to create a more intuitive and visually appealing pathway, steering clear of dense walls of text that could overwhelm and disengage users.

By physically sketching out the application steps, we gained a tangible and shared understanding of the user experience we aimed to craft. This collaborative approach facilitated real-time discussions, allowing us to leverage the diverse perspectives within the team and identify potential pain points or areas of improvement.

The emphasis on avoiding text-heavy presentations was driven by the desire to create a user interface that captivates and guides users through the application journey in a visually engaging manner. This commitment to visual clarity aligns with the overarching goal of making the registration process not just functional but also a seamless and enjoyable experience for all users, fostering a sense of excitement and anticipation for the exploration that awaits.

Existing journey map

Design

Sketches

Usability test

We tested with parents that EXPLO connected us with, as well as other new potential users.
The results led to important changes.

Test goals

- To see if users can easily choose the programs they want and understand what each program is about.
- To confirm that the steps to sign up are easy to follow and not confusing.
- To test if users can go from one step to the next without getting stuck or feeling lost.
- To get feedback on whether the website looks good and if users enjoy using it.
- To explore if suggestions for programs are useful in helping users find things they're interested in.

Iterations

Simplified Instructions and Illustrative Steps:

A key transformation in our approach involved rethinking the way we presented information. Instead of overwhelming users with dense blocks of text, we opted for a streamlined approach. By distilling instructions to their essential elements and injecting a touch of fun through illustrations, we witnessed overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Users appreciated the departure from text-heavy instructions, finding clarity and engagement in the new presentation format.

Based on our validation we took a different approach to make the page as visual as possible. I designed and included icons, and reduced the amount of text, and this brought some fun into the process.

The evolution of our program tiles reflected our changes to the design and response to user feedback. We went through many iterations, working to refine the design and minimize the amount of information on each tile while maintaining the most vital pieces.

Tile Flip Solution for Enhanced Clarity:
The decision to introduce the tile flip mechanism addressed the confusion reported in the initial testing phase.

This innovative solution not only cleared the fog but also enriched the user selection experience.
By incorporating the tile flip during the adding to cart and checkout flow, we provided users with a visually intuitive way to confirm and proceed.
The tile flip not only resolved confusion but also contributed to a more seamless and clear user journey, reflecting our commitment to not just resolving issues but enhancing the overall experience.

In essence, our iterative design process not only resolved usability concerns but elevated the user experience to unprecedented levels. The shift from text-heavy instructions to engaging illustrations, coupled with the intuitive tile flip mechanism, not only clarified the user journey but also contributed to a perfect SUS score, marking the success of our design interventions.

User Comfort and Improved SUS Scores:
Our iterative approach to the redesign had a profound impact on user comfort and satisfaction. In the initial test, users grappled with a SUS score of 60%, indicating a moderate level of usability concerns. However, after implementing our iterations, the SUS score soared to a perfect 100% in the subsequent test. This remarkable improvement signifies not only the effectiveness of our design changes but also the enhanced comfort and ease with which users were able to accomplish their tasks.

Conclusion

In concluding this transformative project aimed at refining Explo's summer camp application process, we stand at the intersection of design innovation and user-centricity. The collaborative efforts of our team, fueled by whiteboard sessions and user testing, have given rise to a revamped system that transcends functionality to embrace the essence of a seamless, engaging, and anticipatory user journey.

The redesigned interface, characterized by its inviting design, intuitive navigation, and effective elements, is a testament to our commitment to creating a digital space that resonates with users on a human level. By addressing the needs, wants, and desires of our diverse user base, we have sculpted an experience that goes beyond mere utility to evoke excitement and curiosity.

The incorporation of personalized recommendations, simplified registration steps, and visually appealing design elements has not only mitigated the reported confusion but has elevated the application process to a realm of enjoyment and discovery. As users navigate through the revamped system, we anticipate a harmonious blend of efficiency and delight, encapsulating the spirit of educational exploration that defines Explo.

Our journey from identifying user pain points to crafting a solution rooted in empathy and visual clarity has been an exploration in itself. The result is not just a redesigned application process but a digital pathway that reflects Explo's commitment to nurturing young minds through a seamless fusion of education and excitement. As this project reaches its culmination, we celebrate not only a successful redesign but the prospect of empowering countless individuals to embark on an enriching journey of exploration and learning.