Your College Concierge
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Your College Concierge 〰️
Independent Project Spring 2024
Your College Concierge is a project I embarked on following the conclusion of my architectural studies thesis. Driven by a desire to explore design from a digital perspective, I dedicated the semester to self-teaching the fundamentals of UX/UI by developing a prototype for an app that enhances connectivity among social groups that often remain isolated from one another on the Middlebury College campus due to the prevalent cliquish culture.
While the initial inspiration for this app stemmed from analyzing various dating apps and the frustrations expressed by friends regarding their ineffectiveness in such a close-knit community, my understanding evolved. I recognized that the real issue lies in the segregation among friend groups, which prevents like-minded individuals from connecting. This realization opened the door to a broader opportunity: designing a platform with the intent of fostering meaningful interactions across diverse social circles. Scroll down to follow along this journey with me!
The Product.
Click for an interactive experience.
dicover & define
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dicover & define .
Although this wasn't my initial goal, I became determined to address the deeper issue highlighted in the student survey and design a social product that could tackle the challenge identified. My aim was to create an app that fosters connection without pressuring users to be overly vulnerable or placing an emotional burden on them. Instead, I envisioned a platform that individuals could enjoy using independently, while also offering support to those feeling isolated or disconnected.
This project began with an analysis of various dating apps and the frustrations my friends shared about their ineffectiveness in a close-knit community like Middlebury College. While the original goal was to design a more effective dating app for the campus, my research revealed a deeper issue: the social segregation among friend groups, which makes it difficult to form connections outside of one's existing circle.
Mission Statement
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Mission Statement .
One of my survey questions asked what features would most likely increase user engagement in an app designed to promote social connectivity. A common response was anonymous profiling, along with the idea that users are more likely to engage if they see others using it. This got me thinking: how can we encourage students to use a product that promotes vulnerability? The solution: offering information everyone already wants and accesses daily! Dining hall menus and crowd meters for communal spaces became my hook for drawing students into the app.
Ideation Phase
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Ideation Phase .
Main Features
Home: A central dashboard displaying a graphic of the student’s daily course schedule. Students can also add personal tasks, creating a full overview of their day.
Crowd Alerts: A standout feature that tracks real-time crowd levels in communal spaces, helping students plan their visits to avoid busy times.
Messaging: One of two features enabling anonymous connections based on shared interests and hobbies. The app’s AI matches and groups users, fostering connections and promoting vulnerability across social circles.
Weekly Events: A comprehensive calendar of all campus events, updated weekly. Students can RSVP and see how many of their matches plan to attend, encouraging participation.
Mental Health Corner: A dedicated space for wellness with features like a daily mood tracker, mindfulness and meditation exercises, and journaling prompts. Martin, the AI, keeps users engaged through a streak system (similar to Duolingo), promoting self-reflection even if users choose not to connect with others.
Userflows & Wireframes
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Userflows & Wireframes 〰️
Messaging Feature
About This Feature.
Addresses the identified problem directly by fostering connections outside social circles.
AI avatar facilitates anonymous chats between users with shared interests or hobbies.
Users can connect through activities like meeting up for a hike or attending a musical event together.
AI-generated input (disguised as a username) enhances the conversation and connection process.
Encourages vulnerability and comfort by maintaining anonymity, helping students connect more easily.
Crowd Alerts
About This Feature.
Introduces a crowd meter to help students avoid crowded spaces, enhancing its practical appeal.
Aims to engage users by appealing to the Middlebury culture, where students are more likely to use an app if others are using it.
While it doesn’t directly solve the identified problem, it serves as an entry point to encourage students to start using the app.
The AI avatar provides personalized suggestions for the best times to visit popular communal spaces like dining halls and workout areas. AI will track the student's movement across campus to offer real-time updates on crowd levels and suggest alternative, less crowded spots.
Other Features
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Other Features .
*Due to the extensive wireframing and user flows created for this project, I will only showcased two. However, here’s how the other features contribute to addressing the identified problem...
Weekly Events
Encourages social engagement by offering a personalized calendar of campus events where students can see who else is attending, fostering organic connections around shared activities and interests.
Mental Health Corner
Provides students with essential mental health resources, such as a daily mood tracker, mindfulness exercises, and journal prompts & meditation practices, empowering them to manage their emotional health independently.
