Duration:

7 months

My Role:

Product Designer

Responsibilities:

Wireframe, Prototype,Brainstorm, Market Research

Team:

1 Product Manager
4 Product Designers

What is Unity?

Unity, a mobile application, designed to facilitate students' exploration of diverse cultures and promote cultural appreciation in the university setting

How did we come up with this idea?

While celebrating the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages across our campus, a question lingered: How well do we truly understand and appreciate each other's cultures?

Often, despite respecting diverse perspectives, many of us tend to remain within our familiar friend circles and cultures. How often do you participate in cultural events outside your own background?

How might we ...

"How might we enhance students’ experience and connect the university community by facilitating students' exploration of diverse cultures and promoting cultural appreciation in the university setting?"

Initial Research

Our research journey began by synthesizing existing research to understand the multifaceted nature of culture and what it means to individuals. We gained insight into how people define culture and explored how current market offerings embrace and promote cultural experiences.

Secondary Research Findings

Existing market research showed a lack of products focused on promoting cultural exploration.
Identified two pivotal elements for cultural exchange: social interactions + food as gateways for sharing cultures.

Research: Survey

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Research: Interview

User Persona

Pain points

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Paper Prototype

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Site Map

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Style Guide

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Our Solution - Unity

Our primary research consists of comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews designed to gain deeper insights from potential user groups.

Solution 1

Solution 2

Solution 3

Key Challenges

Motivation
Focusing on Problem
Statement
Consistent Style/
Cohesiveness
It can be difficult to keep people coming back to an app, especially when it’s about education
As we worked towards our solution, we trailed off from our Problem Statement at times making it difficult to answer solely the question we were designing for
With 6 different people working, each with their own sense of style, it was a bit difficult at first to make sure our design was consistent

What We Learned

Context shapes the design
The process is cyclical not linear
Collaboration fuels innovation
Empathetic research is essential to understand the problem and create a meaningful solution, so don't rush into design!
Recurring stages of iteration, feedback, and reflection allow for both gradual progression and improvement
The variety of experiences, perspectives, and ideas enabled us to build something that fosters cross-cultural connection