Product
Student Advisor
Company
Global Study
Role
UX Designer
Duration
2022 - Ongoing
Global Study
I joined Global Study as a User Experience designer in April of 2022 to help build Student Advisor, a comprehensive platform for students, international student recruitment agencies and university departments. At Global Study, we are dedicated to developing a cutting-edge AI-driven student management platform that sets a new standard in the education technology sector.
UX Team
In my role as a UX Designer, I worked closely with the UX Lead and UX Researcher under the guidance of our CTO working on Student Advisor. Reporting directly to the CTO, I partnered with the UX team, developers, and stakeholders to effectively address and meet design needs. In May 2024, our company restructured, leading to changes in our design and development department, where I became the sole UX designer for Global Study.
My Responsibilities
My responsibility was to design the mobile and web interfaces for our platform, which is still in development. This involved creating user-centric designs that enhance both usability and accessibility, collaborating with stakeholders to align with business goals, and developing interactive prototypes for usability testing. I engaged in an iterative design process, incorporating feedback to refine user flows and improve the overall interface.
The Goal
To develop the leading AI-driven all-in-one platform for optimizing international student recruitment for agencies and university departments.
The Current Landscape: A Fragmented Approach
Many agencies face challenges due to a fragmented support system, with no centralized expertise or accurate information. This results in inconsistent and inefficient student support, making it hard for agencies to provide a unified and effective service.
Additional Challenges
Personalizing the User Experience
Designing an intuitive interface that caters to diverse user needs, including personalized recommendations and tailored content for both students and advisors required careful planning and execution.
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Personalization
Integrating AI into the platform to deliver personalized recommendations and support posed a significant challenge, as it required seamless integration across both the user interface and backend systems.
Alignment with Developers and Stakeholders
Keeping design and development efforts aligned was a key challenge as it required continuous communication and collaboration. Balancing the needs and expectations of all parties while maintaining design integrity demanded careful coordination and adaptability throughout the project lifecycle.
My Design Process
Research & Discovery
Collaboration with the UX team
Collaborating closely with my UX team provides invaluable insights that shape the foundation of my designs. By actively seeking and receiving direct feedback from our CTO, I ensure that my work aligns with our strategic goals. This teamwork not only offers fresh perspectives but also helps me identify areas for improvement. Together, we create designs that are deeply rooted in user needs and behaviors, leading to more effective and refined outcomes.
Participating in User Interviews & Usability Testing
I participate in usability testing sessions, including conducting interviews with students and advisors to gather direct feedback on our mobile and web platforms. I also sit in on feedback sessions with internal and external partners, which helps me formulate important design questions and solutions. Using tools like Dovetail and Figjam we organize and analyze the data, playing a crucial role in shaping our design decisions.
Ideation & Low-Fidelity Prototyping
Developing Initial Concepts
Drawing from comprehensive research insights, I develop initial design concepts with a focus on creating intuitive, human-centered solutions. My approach involves crafting designs that address key pain points and enhance user experience by prioritizing ease of use and functionality. By integrating user feedback and iterative testing, I ensure that the designs not only meet user needs but also anticipate and resolve potential challenges, leading to more effective and engaging outcomes.
Creating Low-Fidelity Prototypes
I start with low-fidelity wireframes and sketches to quickly visualize ideas, which allows me to explore various design directions efficiently. This rapid iteration process is a key component of my agile approach, enabling me to test and refine concepts swiftly based on feedback and insights. By iterating quickly and embracing flexibility, I can rapidly adjust designs and focus on the most promising solutions before committing to more detailed work.
Leading Design Walkthrough Presentations
I take the lead in presenting my designs to developers and stakeholders during walkthrough sessions, utilizing Figma for both static designs and interactive prototypes. Through screen sharing, I walk the team through mobile and web interfaces, facilitating a detailed review. These presentations are crucial for gathering live feedback, which I use to make refinements and adjustments. This iterative process ensures that the designs are continuously improved and aligned with project goals.
Iteration & Refinement
Collaboration & Refining Designs
I continuously iterate on the design, integrating feedback from our UX team, developers, and stakeholders to ensure it meets user needs and aligns with our business objectives. I maintain close communication with developers throughout the process, which is crucial for ensuring that the design is feasible and ready for implementation. After receiving feedback, I focus on refining the design, making sure each iteration brings us closer to a product that is both user-friendly and technically sound. This ongoing collaboration and refinement process is essential for achieving successful outcomes.
Final Design & Implementation
Finalizing the Design
Once the design has been iterated and refined, I focus on finalizing the details, ensuring a balance between aesthetics and functionality. My aim is to deliver a design that is ready for implementation and meets our project goals.
Preparing for Launch & Post-Launch Monitoring
I’m involved in the final stages of preparing the product for launch, including conducting final usability tests. After launch, I monitor user feedback to identify any areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.
Handoff & Documentation
I create clear documentation and design specifications to facilitate a smooth handoff to developers. This ensures that the design is implemented accurately and efficiently.
MVP Debut & Ongoing Enhancements
We successfully launched our MVP in September 2023, marking a significant milestone in delivering streamlined interactions and a cohesive support system for students and agencies across 8 countries, impacting over 1,000 students.
Our latest updates include leveraging AI to deliver personalized information to improve advisor-student interactions. In addition, we are actively working on white-label designs, integrating WhatsApp for more seamless communication, and developing a range of other features to further enhance our platform. Our agile approach ensures that we continuously evolve and refine our offerings, adapting to user needs and driving ongoing improvements.
Conducting Competitive Analysis
I conduct competitive analysis to understand what’s currently working in the market and to identify opportunities for innovation. By actively testing out apps myself, I gain firsthand insights into successful design trends, which not only inspires my work but also helps me save time by building on proven concepts. This approach ensures that our product stands out while staying aligned with effective, up-to-date design practices.
Messaging feature
Memory Bank feature
Video room feature
Key Learnings & Highlights
Embracing Agile Design
Designing in an agile environment with a close-knit team has honed my skills in flexibility and adaptability, crucial for a UX designer.
Adapting to Evolving Team Dynamics and Technology
The reduction in our team tested our ability to maintain momentum. I learned to navigate these changes by focusing on key priorities and efficient resource management.
Navigating Continuous Evolution of User Needs and Technology
In a rapidly changing landscape, staying attuned to user needs and technological advancements is crucial. By continuously refining our platform and integrating new features, I am learning to embrace innovation through the lens of a UX designer.