TIMELINE
May 2023 (3 weeks)
MY ROLE
Solo project for a UX Design competition
DESIGN PROCESS
BACKGROUND
In today's digital age, digital applications have become an integral part of our daily lives. However, learning how to use this complex software can often be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially for those who are not tech-savvy. This is where this project comes in.
PROBLEM
Users struggle with scattered and complex software tutorials and navigating multiple websites.
Many online resources currently exist for software learning, but they are often scattered and not user-friendly. Users have to navigate through multiple websites to find the information they need, and the content is often not comprehensive or easy to understand enough to meet the users' needs.
Furthermore, some users only require specific functionalities of a software program and do not need to learn the entire software, making it overwhelming to search through lengthy and complicated user manual or tutorials.
GOAL
Simplifying software learning with centralized tutorials, addressing scattered resources and empowering users.
The goal is to address the challenges users face with scattered and complex tutorials by providing a centralized hub for easy-to-follow tutorials. By consolidating a wide range of software programs, including popular applications, the project aims to simplify the learning process and reduce the time and effort required to achieve desired tasks.
CHALLENGE
One of the main challenges of this concept product is ensuring the accuracy and relevancy of the tutorials. To maintain this product, the team will need to conduct extensive research and testing to ensure that the content provided is up-to-date and covers all the essential features of the software programs.
Strong search engine and database support will also be required to enable users quickly find which software or which function they need.
Lastly, keeping the tutorials engaging and easy to understand to maintain users' motivation throughout the learning process is also a challenge that the team will need to address.
SOLUTION
The solution focuses on creating a user-friendly and comprehensive platform for software learning. It was designed to be user-friendly and accessible across different devices, including website and mobile app versions.
While the primary focus of this project is on website and mobile app design, the platform would also work well on tablet. Tablets would offer a great combination of portability and screen size, and allowing users to split the screen and have multiple apps or resources open simultaneously.
Discovery (Home Page)
Showcasing popular software applications and industry trends.
Highlighting sought-after software functionalities, helping users discover and explore functionalities that are in high demand.
Search Page
Users can search for software by name or specific features, allowing them to quickly find the desired software tutorials and resources.
Users can filter software by type and utilize difficulty ratings to make informed decisions on which software to learn based on their skill level
Tutorial Page
Tutorials include step-by-step guides with concise text, real software screenshots, and animations for better understanding. (Creating a point light in Blender was used as an example.)
The left-side menu allows easy navigation through tutorials to find specific sections.
The chatbot can provide explanations for technical terms or concepts, enhancing the learning experience.
Links to related tutorial videos on platforms like YouTube are provided
Library Page
The library page provides a convenient way for users to access their favorited software and bookmarked tutorials, ensuring easy retrieval of valuable resources.
USER RESEARCH
I did a competitive audit to explore existing solutions in the market and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This research approach helped me identify opportunities for improvement and differentiation from existing solutions in order to create a better user experience.
Additionally, I conducted face-to-face interviews with two individuals to gain valuable insights into their software learning experiences, needs, and preferences.
Opportunities for Improvement
Compare to Traditional Search
One-stop platform: A centralized hub for software tutorials, eliminating the need to search multiple websites.
Accurate resources: Verified tutorials and solutions to ensure reliability and save users time.
Compare to Official User Manual
Comprehensive guides: Extensive tutorials for various software programs, covering different fields and levels of applications.
User-friendly approach: Categorized software according to different functions, provide graphic and textual tutorials, and screenshot animations to guide users on how to use specific functions of the software.
Compare to Platform such as Coursera and Udemy
Focus on software: Focus specifically on providing comprehensive software tutorials and guides, rather than offering a wide range of courses across various topics.
Customized learning: Organizing tutorials by software function enables users to focus on specific features they need, avoiding the need to purchase entire courses.
User Pain Points
Scattered and Complex Tutorials
Users often face the challenge of searching for tutorials across various websites, making the learning process time-consuming and frustrating
Difficulty in Finding Specific Functions
Users struggle to find tutorials that specifically address the functions or features they need to learn within a software application.
Lack of Clear Guidance
Official tutorials or manuals may only contain theories, but not provide clear and concise instructions, leading to confusion and a longer learning curve.
User Persona
(Click the image to download as a PDF)
IDEATION
Design Thinking Process
Information Architecture
USABILITY TESTING
A mid-fidelity prototype was created for usability testing to evaluate the initial design concept and determine whether the workflow of this app is smooth and intuitive for the users.
There were 3 participants in the usability testing. The major insights gathered from the testing include:
Users found the platform intuitive and easy to navigate.
The concept of step-by-step guides and screenshots was really useful for quick software learning.
Some participants suggested incorporating gamification elements or interactive challenges to enhance engagement.
The confusion surrounding technical terms remained a significant challenge, indicating a need for further clarification and simplification of these terms within the tutorials and explanations.
2 paticipants expressed a desire for a community or discussion forum where they can engage with other learners, ask questions, and share their experiences and knowledge.
THE FINAL DESIGN
LESSONS LEARNED
Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights and learned important lessons that have contributed to my growth as a UX designer. Here are some key takeaways from my experience:
Research drives design decisions: User research is the driving force behind effective design decisions, and in this project, conducting user interviews and competitive audits played a vital role in gathering valuable insights and informing my design choices. User interviews allowed me to directly engage with the target audience, and understand their needs, preferences, and pain points. Additionally, competitive audits provided me with a broader perspective on the existing solutions. By analyzing the existing solution to this problem, I was able to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and find opportunities to differentiate from the existing solutions.
Pay attention to detail and consistency: During the preparation of this project, I studied the official user manuals of several software applications to understand how they effectively organized their content. This research provided valuable knowledge about best practices, which I aimed to incorporate into the design of this digital manual library. While this project is primarily conceptual and does not involve the actual creation of a user manual, my intention was to ensure a consistent and seamless experience for users throughout the platform, from navigating the platform to browsing within each specific user manual. My goal was to create a user-friendly environment where users can easily find and access the information they need, thereby enhancing their overall experience with the platform.
Continuous learning is essential: The field of UX design is ever-evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and design principles is crucial. I learned the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Thank you for reviewing my work!
Hope you enjoy the project! And I would be grateful to hear your feedback😊
