Shasteny Maclang

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Shasteny Maclang

Shasteny Maclang

EMIC Connect

Timeline

May 2025 - Aug. 2025

Timeline

May 2025 - Aug. 2025

Timeline

May 2025 - Aug. 2025

Team

1 Project Manager

1 Design Manager

7 Product Designers

Team

1 Project Manager

1 Design Manager

7 Product Designers

Team

1 Project Manager

1 Design Manager

7 Product Designers

Contributions

Product Design

User Research

Usability Testing

Prototyping

Contributions

Product Design

User Research

Usability Testing

Prototyping

Contributions

Product Design

User Research

Usability Testing

Prototyping

4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
3 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
3 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
3 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
2 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design

CONTEXT

EMIC'S mission is to support youth in their international endeavors.

The non-profit is dedicated to helping youth, parents and educators access global educational and cultural opportunities, fostering global citizenship and community connection

THE CHALLENGE

01.

Creating a Centralized, Privacy-first Mobile Platform.

01.

Creating a Centralized, Privacy-first Mobile Platform.

01.

Creating a Centralized, Privacy-first Mobile Platform.

02.

No mobile platform that matches their needs.

02.

No mobile platform that matches their needs.

02.

No mobile platform that matches their needs.

03.

Creating a one-stop-shop for verfied international opportunities.

03.

Creating a one-stop-shop for verfied international opportunities.

03.

Creating a one-stop-shop for verfied international opportunities.

04.

Help students prepare, and support parents and educators.

04.

Help students prepare, and support parents and educators.

04.

Help students prepare, and support parents and educators.

How might we help students find international opportunities, track their deadlines, communicate with educators and foster community.

How might we help students find international opportunities, track their deadlines, communicate with educators and foster community.

How might we help students find international opportunities, track their deadlines, communicate with educators and foster community.

SOLUTION & IMPACT

A High Fidelity Figma Prototype Ready for Developer Handoff.

A highly tailored and user-validated design that directly addresses the neeeds of their target audience.

4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design
4 iPhones with a prototype of the EMIC mobile application design

COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Researching market gaps and potential existing solutions.

These platforms had some ideal features, however their target audiences do not overlap with EMIC's.

Strengths

✅ Opportunity Discovery

✅ Task Tracking

✅ Document Storage

✅ Community Interaction

Weaknesses

❌ Not Personalized

❌ Lack of Support

❌ Not Secure Enough

❌ Cluttered Design

USER RESEARCH

22 students provided insights on their most important concerns regarding finding and applying to study abroad opportunities.

22 students provided insights on their most important concerns regarding finding and applying to study abroad opportunities.

Pre-trip Challenges

Understanding where and how to apply

Connecting with students on similar travel paths

Storing important documents

Tracking pre-travel tasks

Application Challenges

Knowing what documents you need

Keeping up with deadlines

Finding scholarships

IDEATION

The team ideated 4 key pages the Home, Discover My Trip and Profile pages, that would hold the most important features.

The team ideated 4 key pages the Home, Discover My Trip and Profile pages, that would hold the most important features.

FEATURE OWNERSHIP & DESIGN

By taking ownership of the homepage, I focused on iterating its design to provide users with a personalized experience.

By taking ownership of the homepage, I focused on iterating its design to provide users with a personalized experience.

IMPLEMENTING FEATURES

Announcements

Popular destinations

Checklists

Deadlines

ITERATING DESIGN

Experimenting with brand colors

Separate page for announcements

Checklists moved to "My Trip" page

Recommended resources cards

HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

Cohesive branding and design style

Improved signifiers

Logical prototype user flow

FUTURE SCOPE

Looking Ahead: Parental Access & Group Messaging

01.

Peer to Peer Communication.

01.

Peer to Peer Communication.

01.

Peer to Peer Communication.

02.

Parental Access and Communication with Students.

02.

Parental Access and Communication with Students.

02.

Parental Access and Communication with Students.

03.

In-App Group Messaging.

03.

In-App Group Messaging.

03.

In-App Group Messaging.

04.

Community Forums for Students.

04.

Community Forums for Students.

04.

Community Forums for Students.

TAKEAWAYS

Balance and Preparedness Reign Supreme

Balancing user advocacy and client expectations

While developing the scope of the project understanding the client's expectations became the foundation of our design and our user research. That research then allowed us to advocate for their user's needs to the clients and keep them at the core of our designs.

Balancing user advocacy and client expectations

While developing the scope of the project understanding the client's expectations became the foundation of our design and our user research. That research then allowed us to advocate for their user's needs to the clients and keep them at the core of our designs.

Balancing user advocacy and client expectations

While developing the scope of the project understanding the client's expectations became the foundation of our design and our user research. That research then allowed us to advocate for their user's needs to the clients and keep them at the core of our designs.

Being prepared allows you to make the most out of time

Preparation is key to making the most of limited client and mentor interactions. Coming to meetings with thoughtful questions and well-formed ideas not only made our sessions more productive but also strengthened trust and collaboration.

Being prepared allows you to make the most out of time

Preparation is key to making the most of limited client and mentor interactions. Coming to meetings with thoughtful questions and well-formed ideas not only made our sessions more productive but also strengthened trust and collaboration.

Being prepared allows you to make the most out of time

Preparation is key to making the most of limited client and mentor interactions. Coming to meetings with thoughtful questions and well-formed ideas not only made our sessions more productive but also strengthened trust and collaboration.

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Thank You for Stopping By!

If you'd like to chat about design, books, video games or anything beyond don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch!

Thank You for Stopping By!

If you'd like to chat about design, books, video games or anything beyond don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch!

Thank You for Stopping By!

If you'd like to chat about design, books, video games or anything beyond don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch!