Role: UI Designer | Duration: 1 Day | Collaborated with: Shenna Shim, Mihir Singh, Jacob Jo

Introduction

Our team had the opportunity to participate in the TILE 24-Hour Virtual Designathon by UW/UX in 2021, where we tackled the pressing issue of student isolation in remote learning. Recognising the importance of fostering connections in today's context, we conceptualised "Frienden" to address this head on.

Constraints

• Limited time frame of 24 hours for the designathon.

• Team members located in different countries (US, India, Korea, Thailand), necessitating coordination across various time zones.

The Problem

In a world adjusted to social distancing, many university students grapple with forming connections and remaining active in school communities.

Research

To ensure our solution resonated with the target audience, we conducted interviews with six university students. We gained valuable insights into the challenges of remote learning, including decreased motivation and heightened stress levels. Additionally, we delved into academic literature, seeking understanding about the broader impacts of social isolation on higher education students.

The Solution - Frienden

From our research, a central need emerged: a supportive space facilitating friendships in the virtual academic world. Frienden meets this need by offering students a streamlined platform to initiate and maintain interactions. Upon registration, users leverage their school credentials for a seamless onboarding experience. Frienden's algorithm then suggests potential connections and activities tailored to individual interests, offering a range of opportunities:

• Discover group events sharing common interests

• Collaborate with study buddie

• Expand social circles by introducing new acquaintances

• Engage in school clubs resonating with personal passions

• Participate in meaningful discussions on varied topics
  
  Check out the prototype.

If We Had More Time…

Given the constraints of the 24-hour designathon, we weren't able to fully realise our vision for immersive virtual meetings within the prototype. However, the concept included students joining virtual events and using custom avatars for a unique interaction experience. Additionally, we recognise the importance of further research to refine our solution, but we were limited to conducting broader explanatory research.

Conclusion

The challenges of student life, with its innate stress and potential solitude, might seem daunting. However, platforms like Frienden showcase how technology can bridge gaps, uniting students in an increasingly digital age.

Key Reflections

• This project provided me with my first hands-on experience using Figma, a tool pivotal for collaborative design.

• Managing teamwork across different time zones required extensive planning and coordination, teaching me the importance of effective communication.

• I've learned the importance of balancing efforts effectively. While we focused on developing the prototype, we overlooked preparing the presentation deck, leaving it incomplete. This serves as a reminder to allocate adequate time to all necessary components in future projects.