How might we bring forth the main functions and improve the design while making it a tool for students and staff to access frequently?
The overall design was outdated making it displeasing to look at and use. There is no useful information being presented in the app upon launching it. Each of the buttons links to an external web page or a link to another app.
There are multiple Sheridan applications, each of which has different functions. This makes the purpose of the Sheridan app unclear. Our goal was to create a hub for all of Sheridan’s services with accessible tools that improve the quality of life for staff and students.
We spent six months researching and creating the concept for the Sheridan app. This design of the Sheridan app is designed to feel familiar with a light, modern design.
User Pain Points
After an analysis of other colleges campus apps, we found that although the majority of the low-rated reviews were for technical issues and bugs, there were still gripes with the outdated design and limited functionality or functions not working at all.
For the remainder of the redesign, we wanted to conduct a usability test on the current version of the Sheridan Mobile App to get more in-depth research. We created a series of tasks & scenarios for users to go through that will give us more insight into the current user experience. For this process to move forward, we need approval from the Research Ethics Board. Due to time restrictions, we were unable to conduct the usability study during this stage. Instead, we planned the study for a potential future work term on this project.
Opportunities for Improvement
Unify apps - Take all of the key functions from Sheridan’s apps and combine them into one.
Homepage - Design a homepage with important campus information presented first.
Wayfinding - Create a familiar map experience for students and staff to navigate the campuses.
Quick contact - A designated tab for quick access to campus phone numbers and security numbers.
Shuttle bus - Allow students to have access to the Sheridan shuttle service schedule.
Alerts - Send out emergency alerts to staff and students.
The first iteration of the redesign was created for testing a prototype. Users found that the design was familiar and seemed useful but lacks identity. Through the editing process, we made changes to the interface that made it match Sheridan’s brand. This feedback was received from both students and faculty.
As my internship at Sheridan drew to a close, I was proud to see the Sheridan App evolve into a more functional and user-friendly platform. Despite the time constraints, we managed to showcase the app's key features, demonstrating its potential to enhance communication and convenience for students and faculty alike.
While the faculty appreciated the redesign and recognized its value, unfortunately, the decision to not proceed with further funding meant our efforts couldn't reach their full potential.Nevertheless, the final version of the UI was a labor of love, crafted to prioritize the most crucial information while maintaining a sense of familiarity and simplicity. Our goal was to create a design that felt intuitive and welcoming to everyone who interacted with it. Above all, our mission was to bring together the diverse range of Sheridan apps into a unified and cohesive experience, making student and faculty life just a little bit easier.
This internship lacked mentorship. I had to take on a lot of the responsibility myself and learn how to lead a team very quickly. I learned how to communicate with other designers, delegate tasks, and stay on top of deadlines.
When designing, I moved to high-fidelity design too fast. Spending more time iterating on paper would have been beneficial and saved a lot of time later on in the design process.
Including the Sheridan brand without doing too much. In the end, keeping it subtle with Sheridan’s colours and design motif worked. The faculty was pleased with the design and felt that it represented the Sheridan brand correctly.
This internship was during the summer and a lot of the staff we needed to contact was away on vacation. Receiving some of the assets such as the campus map was a challenge.
I would go back and test the app with target users more. I learned that design is a circular process, it doesn’t necessarily stop at your first high-fidelity prototype.
Consider adding more functions to the prototype. Being able to tap on a web link or phone number would have been beneficial during the pitch.
Keep thinking of ways to improve the usability of the app. I want this design to be considered a tool that helps students and faculty.
