Duration
Kaitlyn Crutcher
Team
Feb 2023 - April 2023
UX/UI design, User research, Usability Testing
Type
Overview
Bloom caters to the unique needs of college students by providing a planning system that enables them to organize their study, social, and relaxation time efficiently. The app integrates with Canvas, a widely used website for course management and organization, reducing the time required to import data. Bloom's simple and aesthetic design style, along with its intuitive interactions, makes planning an effortless experience.
Research
College life can be challenging, with students managing a unique set of responsibilities and daily routines that differ from other age groups. As a result, depression and anxiety are prevalent among college students due to high pressure and burnout. Effective planning is an efficient way to avoid these situations.
Competitive Analysis
To assess the suitability of planning apps for college students, we conducted market research focusing on their user-friendliness and ease of use. Additionally, we investigated whether these apps offer integration with Canvas, a widely used learning management system that college students rely on for class information and study materials in their daily lives.
Interview
In addition, we conducted 30-minute interviews with 9 Georgia Tech college students to gain insight into their planning habits and assess whether their use of planning effectively supports their daily lives.
Pain Points
Students often find planning difficult to begin or sustain due to its time-consuming nature, and they struggle to develop a planning strategy that is tailored to their specific daily routine and tasks.
Other Findings
Time blocking and to-do list
Many students find time blocking and to-do lists to be the most effective and comfortable planning formats.
Flexibility & Customization
Many students find time blocking and to-do lists to be the most effective and comfortable planning formats.
Integration
Integration is preferred by individuals as it saves time.
Canvas Usage
Canvas is a crucial part of many people's daily lives, as it provides access to important information such as deadlines, assignments, and exam dates.
Design goals derived from research
⛳ Prioritize time blocking and to-do list features.
⛳ Cater to the unique task types and daily routines of college students.
⛳ Ensure flexibility and customization for both planning features.
⛳ Integrate with Canvas.
User Flow
Information Architecture
To optimize the organization and planning process for college students with diverse tasks and routines, we conducted an in-depth information architecture analysis to develop the most intuitive and efficient categorization system tailored to their needs.
Wireframes & Iterations
We created a wireframe based on the user flow and the information architecture, illustrating the calendar, to-do list, task creation, settings, and Canvas integration pages.
Calendar View
Prototype 1.0
Problems from usability tests:
Users found the long-press-and-move/delete interaction to be uncomfortable and time-consuming.
Prototype 2.0
Problem Solved:
Added an "edit mode" that allows users to move and delete items without needing to use a long-pressing interaction.
To-do List View
Prototype 1.0
Problems from usability tests:
The font size on the to-do list page was too small and made it difficult to read.
Due dates were hard to see and needed to be more prominent.
A "daily plan" page was needed to create a better integration between planning and real-life activities.
Users had difficulty finding where to edit tasks.
Prototype 2.0
Problem Solved:
Improved the layout and fonts to enhance clarity and navigation.
Added a "time left" tag each task to help users plan and schedule tasks within time blocks.
Created "edit plan" and "add task" buttons under each project for easy access to editing and adding tasks.
Developed a "daily plan" page that integrates the to-do list and time blocking functions to make planning easier and more efficient.
Task/Event Edit and Creation
Prototype 1.0
Issues found during usability tests:
The instructions are not clear at all.
Users are unsure whether this creates an event or task.
Prototype 2.0
Problem Solved:
Create separate pages for event and task creation, tailored to their unique characteristics.
Provide clear text instructions for each feature.
Design Guide
Final Design
Calendar
Easy moving and deleting
Switch to edit mode with a simple click.
Move and delete items without needing to long-press them.
Easy tracking
Color-coded time blocking according to category and project.
To-do list
Easy switching
View Mode button located at the top-right corner, allowing you to toggle between Project View and Daily Plan View.
Project view
Easy Tracking
"Time left" tag next to every task.
Due dates next to every project.
Daily plan view
Easy planning
Combining time blocking with to-do list
Edit and add buttons available for each day's plan.
Event Creation
Easy Organization
Categorize your events effortlessly.
Easy Time-Blocking
Enable multiple time blocks for a single event, and utilize recurring features to save time.
Task Creation
Easy tracking
Time tracking tags under estimated time.
A progress bar that indicates the progress when you change the duration of time blocks.
Settings & Canvas Integration
Easy Importing
Easily import data from Canvas with just a few clicks.
Easy Navigation
Navigate between pages with ease.
Future Features
Statistics
Why?
During interviews, some users expressed difficulty in estimating the time needed to complete certain assignments. They also hoped for a way to know the average working hours required for classes before registering.
What is it?
Collect working time data for assignments and classes based on users' time blocks.
Aggregate the data and make it available on the website for all students to see.
Potential Impact
Reduce the likelihood of students burning out due to registering for too many classes.
Help students plan more effectively.
Why?
During interviews, some users expressed a desire to start planning, but were unsure of how to begin.
What is it?
A cute little bot that provides planning advice and tips on getting started.
Potential Impact
Encourage more students to start planning and make the planning process enjoyable.
Help users maintain their motivation and commitment to planning.
BLOOM
😝 What I Learned
This was my first group design project, and it was very different, especially since my partners weren't design professionals. Effective communication became crucial. Through this experience, I learned several tips for fast and efficient communication:
File everything
Our memory is limited, so it's important to record important guidelines and notes discussed in meetings and keep them in a file that all members can access.
Communicate issues promptly
Many project steps happen simultaneously, so a small change can impact two people's progress. It's essential to communicate questions or issues promptly and reach a consensus.
Always listen
Listening is crucial in group cooperation. Even if you don't understand or agree with the other person's ideas, listen carefully.
Always ask why
Conflicts often arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Try to express your thoughts clearly and ask about the reasons behind the other person's ideas.
Don't get angry!!!!
I found that communication efficiency was highest when both parties were positive. Quarreling may relieve temporary emotions, but it's detrimental to cooperation."