Project Overview

Octopod is a study group management app designed to help university students collaborate effectively. The app aims to simplify group project coordination by providing tools for scheduling, task tracking, and seamless communication. This project was part of my university coursework, where I worked on the app concept, design, and usability.

Objectives

• Create an intuitive app for students to manage study groups efficiently.
• Design a user interface that is user-friendly and accessible.
• Address common pain points like poor communication, missed deadlines, and unclear task assignments.

Scope of Work

• User research and persona development.
• Wireframing and prototyping the app’s core features.
• Designing a clean and engaging UI for key screens (dashboard, scheduling, task management, and chat).
• Conducting usability testing to refine the design.

The Challenges

The primary challenge was designing for a diverse user base with varying levels of tech-savviness. Students needed a solution that was simple enough for quick adoption but robust enough to handle complex group dynamics. Time constraints also made it essential to prioritize features effectively.

How I Overcame the Challenges

I started by conducting surveys and interviews with students to understand their pain points and preferences. This research helped me prioritize features and create user personas. By focusing on a minimalist design approach, I ensured that the app was easy to navigate. Usability testing revealed areas for improvement, allowing me to iterate and refine the design to better meet user needs.

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