Role
Product Designer
Time
Jan 2023 - Jun 2023
Tools
Figma, Miro, Clickup
Team
1 Project Manager, 2 Developers, 3 Counselors
Skills
User research, Interaction design, Prototyping, Mobile app, Information architecture
At a glance
As the product designer, I collaborated closely with students and counselors, the primary users of the product, to thoroughly assess their core needs. Within a short span of six months, I proposed a viable technical solution tailored to these needs. Managing the university application process is a significant challenge for high school students worldwide. Recognizing this, we developed Hero AI to streamline the application process and ensure that no student is left behind. As a result, Hero AI reduced the time required for students to complete their applications by 40%, increased application completion rates by 25%, and improved overall user satisfaction by 30%.
PROBLEM
Students want more comprehensive guidance and feedback during the college application process so they can better manage their applications and succeed.
However, in the current processes, CounselHero’s features provide limited guidance and students struggle with complex application requirements.
Why is this problem important?
More comprehensive guidance and feedback can increase the efficiency of application processes and enable more students to apply successfully.
Who are we solving this for?
For students who need more guidance and want to optimize the process while applying to college.
What impact does it create?
By offering students more effective and understandable application processes, it boosts their success rates, saves time, and reduces stress levels.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
How do students feel about the current college application guidance process?
5 student interviews revealed some key insights into their experiences with the current guidance system for university applications:
Limited Support
Current guidance systems provide only basic support, leaving us struggling with complex application requirements.
Confusing Information
Information provided often feels overwhelming and not tailored to our specific needs.
Lack of Personalization
There’s not enough personalized feedback, which makes it harder to understand how to improve our applications.
DESIGN STRAGTEGY
Narrowing Down Use Cases
5 student interviews revealed some key insights into their experiences with the current guidance system for university applications:
🎯Targeted Feedback on Essays Providing AI-powered feedback to help students refine their essays and meet college admissions expectations. Examples: Receive detailed feedback on grammar, structure, and the depth of your ideas and argumentation. Get suggestions to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Tailored advice to align your essay with the expectations of specific universities.
🔎 Professionalism Check Ensuring that students' application materials are polished and meet professional standards. Examples: Get insights into the tone, style, and overall presentation of your application. Receive suggestions to elevate your work to a college-ready level. Personalized advice on how to present yourself effectively in your application materials.
💻 Open-Ended Query Support Offering context-sensitive answers to help students navigate confusing application questions and requirements. Examples: Ask open-ended questions when faced with unclear prompts or requirements. Receive detailed explanations to help you overcome obstacles in the application process. Get guidance on how to approach complex or unfamiliar topics.
DESIGN EXPLORATION
Exploring Different Ways To Solve This Problem
Design Exploration 1: AI-Powered Essay Refinement
Objective: To provide students with an AI-driven tool that enhances their college essays by offering targeted feedback.
Key Features
AI-Powered Suggestions
Automatically analyzes and provides feedback on grammar, structure, and argumentation depth.
Contextual Feedback
Tailors suggestions to match the specific requirements and expectations of different universities.
Interactive Editing
Allows students to make real-time adjustments with AI suggestions integrated directly into their workflow.
User Actions
Upload an essay draft and receive immediate, detailed feedback.
Select specific sections to refine, such as thesis statements or conclusions.
Implement AI-driven suggestions directly within the platform, improving the essay’s quality with each iteration.
Pros
Streamlines the essay writing and revision process, making it less stressful.
Provides personalized feedback that can increase a student’s chances of acceptance.
Cons
Requires students to be comfortable with AI-generated feedback and suggestions.
Some students might prefer traditional human feedback over AI-driven advice.
Key Features
Real-Time Query Handling
Students can ask any open-ended question related to the application process and receive instant, context-sensitive answers.
Adaptive Learning
The system learns from previous queries to provide more accurate and helpful responses over time.
Resource Integration
Automatically links to relevant guides, articles, or external resources that can help clarify application requirements.
User Actions
Type in any question related to their application process, such as “How do I structure my personal statement?” or “What should I include in my resume?”
Receive detailed explanations and step-by-step guidance directly within the platform.
Access additional resources or tutorials suggested by the AI to further clarify any confusion.
Pros
Provides students with immediate help, reducing the need to search for answers independently.
Improves the overall application experience by minimizing stress and confusion.
Cons
May not always capture the full complexity of a student’s question, particularly in unique or niche scenarios.
Dependence on AI responses might reduce a student’s initiative to seek advice from counselors or mentors.
Key Features
Tone and Style Review
Analyzes essays, resumes, and other application materials for professionalism, tone, and consistency.
Final Checklist
Offers a comprehensive review of all application components before submission, ensuring everything is polished and cohesive.
Feedback Loop
Students can revise their materials based on AI suggestions and resubmit for a final review.
User Actions
Submit their application materials for a full professionalism check.
Review AI-generated suggestions on tone, style, and overall presentation.
Make necessary adjustments and resubmit for a final check before sending applications to universities.
Pros
Provides students with immediate help, reducing the need to search for answers independently.
Improves the overall application experience by minimizing stress and confusion.
Cons
May not always capture the full complexity of a student’s question, particularly in unique or niche scenarios.
Dependence on AI responses might reduce a student’s initiative to seek advice from counselors or mentors.
