Lightspeed x-series

Team

Team Project

3 Designers

Role

Research, Wireframes, User flows, Sketches, Test, Hi-fi Designs

User Research, Wireframes, User Flows,
Sketches, Test, Final Designs

Type

Web app & Mobile

Web & Mobile App

Tools

Sketch, Axure, InVision, Photoshop

Sketch app, Axure, InVision

Timeline

3 Weeks

Overview

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.

Problem

Problem:

The EXPLO summer camp application process had UX issues, particularly with navigating and selecting programs. Users struggled with unclear program details and complex pathways, leading to frustration and abandoned applications. The disjointed presentation of information reduced engagement and accessibility, highlighting the need for a streamlined, user-friendly redesign.

Solution

Solution:

We streamlined the application journey to make it intuitive and engaging, aligning with EXPLO's mission. The new design presented program details clearly and visually, with interactive features to boost excitement. Navigation improvements ensured a smooth transition from exploration to application, enhancing the user experience while embodying the spirit of curiosity that defines EXPLO.

Process

We adopted a user-centered design approach based on Design Thinking to transform the EXPLO summer camp application. By understanding user pain points, we aimed to create a streamlined and engaging journey for applicants and their families. Through collaborative design, rapid prototyping, and continuous testing, we simplified the process while aligning with EXPLO's mission to foster curiosity and exploration.

Final Designs

How did we get to the final design?

Scoping

To fully understand the problem, we created a team plan to outline our collaboration, a project plan to schedule tasks, and a statement of work to align with the client on the project’s scope.

These are the key phases we defined for the design process.

To fully understand the problem, we created a team plan to outline our collaboration, a project plan to schedule tasks, and a statement of work to align with the client on the project’s scope.

These are the key phases we defined for the design process.

Empathize

Before kicking off the project, we made sure everyone was aligned—both within the team and with the client. This also gave us a clear understanding of the limitations, helping shape our primary ideas and approach.

Discovery Research

To tackle the challenges EXPLO faced with its confusing registration process, we conducted comprehensive research using a combination of user interviews and contextual inquiries. This approach helped us understand how users interacted with the site and validate the issues they reported.

User interviews allowed us to engage directly with participants, uncovering their pain points, expectations, and decision-making processes during registration. These conversations provided valuable insights into not just what users were doing, but why they made certain choices and how they interpreted the information presented.

In addition, contextual inquiries allowed us to observe users navigating the site in real time, revealing discrepancies between user intentions and system responses. This hands-on observation gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges users faced, highlighting areas of confusion or misinterpretation.

By combining these methods, we were able to validate the reported problems and uncover hidden issues, creating a solid foundation for our design solutions based on real user experiences.

To tackle the challenges EXPLO faced with its confusing registration process, we conducted comprehensive research using a combination of user interviews and contextual inquiries. This approach helped us understand how users interacted with the site and validate the issues they reported.

User interviews allowed us to engage directly with participants, uncovering their pain points, expectations, and decision-making processes during registration. These conversations provided valuable insights into not just what users were doing, but why they made certain choices and how they interpreted the information presented.

In addition, contextual inquiries allowed us to observe users navigating the site in real time, revealing discrepancies between user intentions and system responses. This hands-on observation gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges users faced, highlighting areas of confusion or misinterpretation.

By combining these methods, we were able to validate the reported problems and uncover hidden issues, creating a solid foundation for our design solutions based on real user experiences.

Research Highlights

Needs:

Clear and straightforward presentation of program options for accurate selection.
Transparent and comprehensive program information, including curriculum details, activities, and prerequisites.
Streamlined registration process with minimal steps to reduce time and effort.

Wants:

Intuitive navigation system that guides them smoothly through registration.
Visually appealing interface that excites and engages users about the programs.
Personalized recommendations based on user interests.

Desires:

Interactive previews, such as multimedia content or virtual tours, to explore the programs.
Real-time assistance features like chat support or tooltips for guidance during registration.
Community and social features for connecting with other participants and building excitement.

Needs:

Clear and straightforward presentation of program options for accurate selection.
Transparent and comprehensive program information, including curriculum details, activities, and prerequisites.
Streamlined registration process with minimal steps to reduce time and effort.

Wants:

Intuitive navigation system that guides them smoothly through registration.
Visually appealing interface that excites and engages users about the programs.
Personalized recommendations based on user interests.

Desires:

Interactive previews, such as multimedia content or virtual tours, to explore the programs.
Real-time assistance features like chat support or tooltips for guidance during registration.
Community and social features for connecting with other participants and building excitement.

Define

In the solution discovery phase, we embraced a collaborative and iterative design process, starting with dynamic whiteboard sessions. These allowed our team to quickly brainstorm, sketch, and refine ideas to better understand and visualize the application steps.

Using whiteboards, we mapped out the user journey, breaking the registration process into clear, digestible steps. By sketching and focusing on visuals, we aimed to create an intuitive and engaging pathway, avoiding overwhelming text-heavy presentations.

This collaborative approach helped us align on the user experience, identify pain points, and ensure the final design would guide users through a seamless, enjoyable registration process, generating excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

In the solution discovery phase, we embraced a collaborative and iterative design process, starting with dynamic whiteboard sessions. These allowed our team to quickly brainstorm, sketch, and refine ideas to better understand and visualize the application steps.

Using whiteboards, we mapped out the user journey, breaking the registration process into clear, digestible steps. By sketching and focusing on visuals, we aimed to create an intuitive and engaging pathway, avoiding overwhelming text-heavy presentations.

This collaborative approach helped us align on the user experience, identify pain points, and ensure the final design would guide users through a seamless, enjoyable registration process, generating excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

We gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from 8 user interviews and 5 contextual inquiries, involving parents, teachers, and counselors. Unfortunately, we were unable to include any high schoolers in the research.

Ideate

We spent a lot of time with whiteboards to quickly share ideas. Sketching helped us understand the application steps and find ways to visually represent them, aiming to avoid text-heavy content that users might overlook.

Screen-Shot-2020-05-18-at-4.27.13-PM.png

Users don’t want surprises along the way, so it was crucial to give them a clear understanding of the entire process upfront before they began.

Screen-Shot-2020-05-18-at-4.26.41-PM.png

This sketch illustrates how users can access the application, either from a specific program page or via a general "Apply" button. For instance, if an applicant chooses to apply from the EXPLO New York program page, the next screen will display "EXPLO New York" to confirm their selection.

Existing Journey Map

Design

Sketches

Users didn't understand the visual structure...

Screen-Shot-2020-05-18-at-4.25.23-PM.png

We explored different methods for presenting the programs:

Integrating filters directly into the program selection page.
Moving the selected program to the top of the page, rather than keeping it at the bottom as in the original design.
Displaying programs as tiles, which aligns with the updated design of other sections of the EXPLO site.

We explored different methods for presenting the programs:

Integrating filters directly into the program selection page.
Moving the selected program to the top of the page, rather than keeping it at the bottom as in the original design.
Displaying programs as tiles, which aligns with the updated design of other sections of the EXPLO site.

Wireframes

Screen-Shot-2020-05-08-at-2.24.04-PM.png

Screen-Shot-2020-05-08-at-2.24.46-PM.png

Hi-Fidelity Designs

Test and Iterations

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

Objectives

To test if users can easily select their desired programs and understand the details.
To ensure that the sign-up steps are clear and straightforward.
To check if users can navigate smoothly through each step without confusion.
To gather feedback on the visual appeal and overall user experience of the site.
To assess if program recommendations help users discover relevant options.

To test if users can easily select their desired programs and understand the details.
To ensure that the sign-up steps are clear and straightforward.
To check if users can navigate smoothly through each step without confusion.
To gather feedback on the visual appeal and overall user experience of the site.
To assess if program recommendations help users discover relevant options.

Results

Initial usability testing revealed users found the text-heavy instructions overwhelming, and the program tiles contained too much information, making it hard to grasp key details. There was also confusion during the checkout process. The initial SUS score of 60% highlighted moderate usability challenges.

Iterations

Instructions were simplified, replacing dense text with essential information and engaging illustrations. Icons were introduced, and text was reduced to make the experience more visual and enjoyable.

The program tiles were refined through multiple iterations, minimizing information while keeping key details intact. A tile flip mechanism was added to enhance clarity during selection, checkout, and confirmation, providing a more intuitive experience. The redesign significantly improved usability, leading to a perfect 100% SUS score, demonstrating increased user comfort and satisfaction.

Conclusion

In concluding this project to refine EXPLO's summer camp application process, our team has successfully created a system that balances design innovation with user-centricity. Through whiteboard sessions, user testing, and collaboration, we’ve developed a seamless, engaging user journey that goes beyond just functionality.

The redesigned interface features intuitive navigation and visually appealing elements that resonate with users, addressing their needs and desires. Simplified registration steps, personalized recommendations, and a focus on excitement and curiosity make the experience not only efficient but enjoyable.

This project has evolved into more than just a redesign – it’s a digital pathway that captures EXPLO’s mission of fostering educational exploration. The result is a user experience that empowers individuals to embark on their own journey of learning and discovery.