Timeline
1 year
Tools
Figma, Adobe Suite,
NotebookLM, Miro
My Role
User Research
Content Design
Data Visualization
UX Design
My Role
User Research
Content Design
Data Visualization
UX Design
Tools
Figma, Excel, Adobe Suite,
Microsoft Office
Timeline
3 months
Team
solo project
Team
solo project
Problem
Illinois Tech has seen a steady decline in non-degree seeking students applications, despite offering in-demand certificate programs. Addressing the issue could earn the institution about 1.5M a year.
Problem
Operating outside of formal banking institutions excludes people from access to credit, which impacts professional, housing, and savings opportunities.
Non-degree applications decreased by 50% in 3 years
Non-degree applications decreased by 50% in 3 years
SOLUTION
Creating a clear information hub and streamlined application.
Creating a clear information hub and streamlined application.
We developed NEXUS, a web app that serves as a centralized source of truth for all things Method, providing smart, customized filtering, AI-assisted uploads, a personalized experience.
We developed NEXUS, a web app that serves as a centralized source of truth for all things Method, providing smart, customized filtering, AI-assisted uploads, a personalized experience.
Project timeline
Design process
The Old Experience
The Old Experience
The Old Experience
No list of available options + the application takes 2 hours to complete
The old non-degree student experience was scattered across Illinois Tech’s website, with inconsistent terminology, broken links, and outdated information. The application process also included atypical requirements for this student category, like essays, SAT scores, and recommendation letters.
The old non-degree student experience was scattered across Illinois Tech’s website, with inconsistent terminology, broken links, and outdated information. The application process also included atypical requirements for this student category, like essays, SAT scores, and recommendation letters.
HEURISTIC EVALUATION
HEURISTIC EVALUATION
The New Experience
The New Experience
The New Experience
Redesigned information architecture + new application form
The new experience includes two steps: a streamlined information portal with up-to-date details and a 30-minute application form based on standard non-degree application practices.
The new experience includes two steps: a streamlined information portal with up-to-date details and a 30-minute application form based on standard non-degree application practices.
Condensed information portal
Condensed information portal
Condensed information portal
30-minute application form
30-minute application form
30-minute application form
CONTEXTUAL AND USER RESEARCH
Understanding who we are designing for
Understanding who we are designing for
Through my research I set to answer a number of questions, such as: who are non-degree students? What has their experience been like while applying? To get these answers we conducted user interviews, SME interviews, a competitive analysis, and a literature review.
Through my research I set to answer a number of questions, such as: who are non-degree students? What has their experience been like while applying? To get these answers we conducted user interviews, SME interviews, a competitive analysis, and a literature review.
Project timeline
Design process
Non-degree students pathways are varied
Non-degree students pathways are varied
Non-degree students are a diverse group with varied educational backgrounds and influences. These three personas aim to reflect the nuances in their prior experiences and the external stakeholders, like parents or employers, shaping their academic decisions.
Non-degree students are a diverse group with varied educational backgrounds and influences. These three personas aim to reflect the nuances in their prior experiences and the external stakeholders, like parents or employers, shaping their academic decisions.
USER PERSONAS
USER PERSONAS
Moving between touchpoints creates frustration
Moving between touchpoints creates frustration
User observations revealed frustration during transitions between digital and analog touchpoints. Key issues included inconsistent terminology and navigation, as well as technical problems with registration on the application portal.
User observations revealed frustration during transitions between digital and analog touchpoints. Key issues included inconsistent terminology and navigation, as well as technical problems with registration on the application portal.
USER JOURNEY
USER JOURNEY
Competitors offer 1-step applications and centralized information portals
Competitors offer 1-step applications and centralized information portals
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Illinois Tech’s non-degree application process is overly complex, sharing the same requirements and portal as degree-seeking students. Competitors provide streamlined, tailored application flows, leaving Illinois Tech less competitive in serving non-degree applicants efficiently.
Illinois Tech’s non-degree application process is overly complex, sharing the same requirements and portal as degree-seeking students. Competitors provide streamlined, tailored application flows, leaving Illinois Tech less competitive in serving non-degree applicants efficiently.
DATA VISUALIZATION AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Raising awareness and facilitating conversations
Raising awareness and facilitating conversations
One of the biggest challenges was establishing accountability and a common understanding of the issues at hand between stakeholders. I facilitated a discussion leveraging visualized admission data and a set of recommendations in a triage table format to support understanding.
One of the biggest challenges was establishing accountability and a common understanding of the issues at hand between stakeholders. I facilitated a discussion leveraging visualized admission data and a set of recommendations in a triage table format to support understanding.
Project timeline
Design process
Resource availability and accountability chains affect actionability
Resource availability and accountability chains affect actionability
Speaking with more than 20 members of the staff, admissions counselors and college Deans, highlighted a difficulty in gathering resources, advocating for change, and creating an accountability chain to highlight the non-degree experience criticalities to the administration. The following issues were continually brought up verbally, and emerged during cognitive walkthroughs conducted with stakeholders.
Speaking with more than 20 members of the staff, admissions counselors and college Deans, highlighted a difficulty in gathering resources, advocating for change, and creating an accountability chain to highlight the non-degree experience criticalities to the administration. The following issues were continually brought up verbally, and emerged during cognitive walkthroughs conducted with stakeholders.
LISTENING TOUR
LISTENING TOUR
Stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making enable change
Stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making enable change
After visualizing the downward trend in non-degree admissions data and creating a triage table with the identified issues, I was able to hold a stakeholder meeting, where all the parties involved could discuss the available data and evaluate proposed recommendations.
After visualizing the downward trend in non-degree admissions data and creating a triage table with the identified issues, I was able to hold a stakeholder meeting, where all the parties involved could discuss the available data and evaluate proposed recommendations.
DATA VISUALIZATION
DATA VISUALIZATION
TRIAGE TABLE
TRIAGE TABLE
