UX Design
The New School App Re-Design
Introduction
The New School app is a vital tool for students, providing access to essential resources such as email, class schedules, and campus directories. However, the original app design suffered from a cluttered interface, making navigation challenging and the overall experience frustrating. Recognizing these shortcomings, I embarked on a redesign to improve usability, align the visuals with modern design principles, and create a more personalized experience for users.
The goal was clear: transform a functional but outdated app into a user-friendly and visually engaging platform that caters to the needs of students while reflecting The New School’s identity.
Problem Statement
The original app presented several challenges:
Overwhelming Interface: The grid layout was crowded with options, offering no clear hierarchy or prioritization. This made it difficult for students to locate frequently used features quickly.
Lack of Personalization: The app provided a generic experience with no user-specific elements like greetings or tailored schedules.
Outdated Visual Design: The aesthetics felt dated and failed to align with the contemporary and creative ethos of The New School.
Limited Usability: Navigating the app required extra effort, as related actions (e.g., checking grades and schedules) weren’t grouped intuitively.
Research
To guide the redesign, I conducted user research and a competitive analysis:
User Feedback: I gathered input from students about their experiences with the app. Common pain points included difficulty accessing critical tools like Canvas and Email and frustration with the overly complex interface.
Competitive Analysis: I examined similar university apps to identify effective solutions. Features like personalized dashboards, streamlined navigation, and detailed schedule views served as inspiration.
Key findings highlighted the need for a simplified layout, personalized elements, and a modernized design that reflects the school’s brand.
Key Improvements
Streamlined Navigation:
Before: The original design used a crowded grid with equal emphasis on all elements, making navigation cumbersome.
After: The redesign introduced a clear hierarchy, with core functions (Canvas, Email, Calendar, Grades) displayed prominently on the dashboard.
Personalized Experience:
A personalized greeting (e.g., “Hello, Mallory!”) was added to create a welcoming and user-centric experience.
User-specific information like schedules and upcoming classes is displayed prominently.
Modern Visual Design:
Adopted a minimalist style with bold typography and a cohesive color scheme to reflect The New School’s identity.
Visual elements such as icons and consistent spacing improve readability and aesthetics.
Enhanced Usability:
Introduced a detailed calendar view with class schedules, professor contact details, and locations to help students manage their time effectively.
Related features, such as grades and academic resources, were grouped logically.
Final Design
The transformation is evident in the comparison:
Before: The original app’s cluttered layout and lack of visual hierarchy made navigation frustrating.
After: The redesign emphasizes simplicity, personalization, and alignment with The New School’s branding.
Key screens include:
Dashboard: Personalized greeting and quick access to frequently used features.
Calendar: Detailed class schedules with times, locations, and contact information.
Additional Resources: Sections for news, events, and campus maps improve the app’s utility.
Outcome
The redesigned app addresses user pain points while delivering a visually appealing and functional experience. Though the redesign has not yet been implemented, the proposed changes promise:
Improved Usability: Students can navigate the app with ease, focusing on their priorities.
Enhanced Engagement: A modern design and personalized features create a more engaging experience.
Alignment with Branding: The app reflects The New School’s innovative and creative identity.
