Memorial Union
Memorial Union
Memorial Union
Despite its central role at UC Davis, many students are unaware of the Memorial Union's full array of amenities.
Despite its central role at UC Davis, many students are unaware of the Memorial Union's full array of amenities.
Despite its central role at UC Davis, many students are unaware of the Memorial Union's full array of amenities.
Role
Lead UX/UI Designer
Researcher
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Notion
Client
UC Davis
Time
6 weeks, 2023
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Memorial Union (MU) is a central hub of student life at UC Davis, aiming to connect students to the campus and enrich their experience by providing a space for studying, snacking, and socializing.
Over the span of 6 weeks, our team followed a human-centered design process to create an application that highlights what the MU has to offer and makes relevant information more accessible to students.
The Memorial Union (MU) is a central hub of student life at UC Davis, aiming to connect students to the campus and enrich their experience by providing a space for studying, snacking, and socializing.
Over the span of 6 weeks, our team followed a human-centered design process to create an application that highlights what the MU has to offer and makes relevant information more accessible to students.
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Despite its central role at UC Davis, offering a range of activities like the CoHo, study rooms, and a game room, many students are unaware of the Memorial Union's full array of amenities.
Despite its central role at UC Davis, offering a range of activities like the CoHo, study rooms, and a game room, many students are unaware of the Memorial Union's full array of amenities.
How might we create a centralized platform to highlight what the MU has to offer and make relevant information more accessible for students?
How might we create a centralized platform to highlight what the MU has to offer and make relevant information more accessible for students?
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Introducing the UC Davis Memorial Union App: your one-stop solution for navigating and accessing all MU services, from study spots and food ordering to social activities.
Introducing the UC Davis Memorial Union App: your one-stop solution for navigating and accessing all MU services, from study spots and food ordering to social activities.
01
User Research
User Research
We began research by conducting a literature review of the Memorial Union website to gain a deeper understanding of what the MU offers and what its goals are. These two quotes from the website nicely capture the goals of the MU:
We began research by conducting a literature review of the Memorial Union website to gain a deeper understanding of what the MU offers and what its goals are. These two quotes from the website nicely capture the goals of the MU:
“As a central hub of student life, the UC Davis Memorial Union hosts a range of services and programs that help students connect to campus and enrich their experience.”
“As a central hub of student life, the UC Davis Memorial Union hosts a range of services and programs that help students connect to campus and enrich their experience.”
“a variety of resources and spaces that allow students to study, snack and socialize”
“a variety of resources and spaces that allow students to study, snack and socialize”
Survey
To gain a broad understanding of how students interact with the Memorial Union, we conducted a survey that garnered 66 responses. Nearly all of our responders were UC Davis students, which became the target audience of our app.
Survey
To gain a broad understanding of how students interact with the Memorial Union, we conducted a survey that garnered 66 responses. Nearly all of our responders were UC Davis students, which became the target audience of our app.
Survey
To gain a broad understanding of how students interact with the Memorial Union, we conducted a survey that garnered 66 responses. Nearly all of our responders were UC Davis students, which became the target audience of our app.
Most Used Services:
Coffee House (57.6%)
The Market (40.9%)
The Pantry (21.2%) and study rooms (21.2%)
Most Used Services:
Coffee House (57.6%)
The Market (40.9%)
The Pantry (21.2%) and study rooms (21.2%)
Services Students Want to Learn Most About:
MU Events (34.8%)
Aggie Reuse Store (30.3%)
Study rooms (27.3%)
Services Students Want to Learn Most About:
MU Events (34.8%)
Aggie Reuse Store (30.3%)
Study rooms (27.3%)
From this data, we learned that students mainly use the MU for food and sometimes to study. Here, we faced our first challenge. We needed to decide whether to focus on highlighting popular services or bring awareness to lesser known services.
From this data, we learned that students mainly use the MU for food and sometimes to study. Here, we faced our first challenge. We needed to decide whether to focus on highlighting popular services or bring awareness to lesser known services.
Interview
To gain a deeper understanding of what to focus on, we conducted 17 interviews. While survey responses expressed interest in learning about various basic needs services, interviews revealed that accessing this information is not a priority for students. Thus, we decided to place the emphasis of our app on highlighting popular services rather than helping students learn more about lesser known services since they did not seem interested.
Interview
To gain a deeper understanding of what to focus on, we conducted 17 interviews. While survey responses expressed interest in learning about various basic needs services, interviews revealed that accessing this information is not a priority for students. Thus, we decided to place the emphasis of our app on highlighting popular services rather than helping students learn more about lesser known services since they did not seem interested.
Interview
To gain a deeper understanding of what to focus on, we conducted 17 interviews. While survey responses expressed interest in learning about various basic needs services, interviews revealed that accessing this information is not a priority for students. Thus, we decided to place the emphasis of our app on highlighting popular services rather than helping students learn more about lesser known services since they did not seem interested.
02
Synthesis
Synthesis
After user research, we categorized insights through affinity mapping to pinpoint common pain points for prioritization. An empathy map was also created to understand target users' perspectives, revealing that students primarily visit the Memorial Union for studying, eating, socializing, or utilizing student resources.
After user research, we categorized insights through affinity mapping to pinpoint common pain points for prioritization. An empathy map was also created to understand target users' perspectives, revealing that students primarily visit the Memorial Union for studying, eating, socializing, or utilizing student resources.
Pain Points
We were able to identify the following pain points:
Insufficient seating negatively affects users' MU experience.
Users waste time at the Coffee House due to lack of information about wait times and menu availability.
Users, while confident in common MU services, lack awareness of the full range available.
Pain Points
We were able to identify the following pain points:
Insufficient seating negatively affects users' MU experience.
Users waste time at the Coffee House due to lack of information about wait times and menu availability.
Users, while confident in common MU services, lack awareness of the full range available.
Pain Points
We were able to identify the following pain points:
Insufficient seating negatively affects users' MU experience.
Users waste time at the Coffee House due to lack of information about wait times and menu availability.
Users, while confident in common MU services, lack awareness of the full range available.
03
Ideation/Iterations
Ideation/Iterations
With user research in mind, we created 5 primary tabs based on the main reasons why users visit the MU: Study, Food, Home/Map, Events, Services
With user research in mind, we created 5 primary tabs based on the main reasons why users visit the MU: Study, Food, Home/Map, Events, Services
During our mid-fidelity, we sought for feedback on our design by conducting usability tests. We conducted a series of 7 usability tests specifically targeting four distinct sets of tasks: Study, Food, Social, and Services. These tests provided valuable insights into the pain points and strengths of our design and prototype. Through these tests, we found 3 main pain points.
During our mid-fidelity, we sought for feedback on our design by conducting usability tests. We conducted a series of 7 usability tests specifically targeting four distinct sets of tasks: Study, Food, Social, and Services. These tests provided valuable insights into the pain points and strengths of our design and prototype. Through these tests, we found 3 main pain points.
1. Study Page: Study Rooms
We found users mistakenly believed they could book study rooms through the app. To prevent confusion, we added a helper tab explicitly stating that rooms are only bookable for student organizations, ensuring accurate user expectations.
1. Study Page: Study Rooms
We found users mistakenly believed they could book study rooms through the app. To prevent confusion, we added a helper tab explicitly stating that rooms are only bookable for student organizations, ensuring accurate user expectations.
BEFORE ---> AFTER
BEFORE ---> AFTER
2. Food Page: Checking Wait Times
We discovered users weren't aware of the popular times page for checking wait times. To address this, we added helper text guiding users and clarified the app doesn't support ordering, aiming to improve understanding and streamline the process.
2. Food Page: Checking Wait Times
We discovered users weren't aware of the popular times page for checking wait times. To address this, we added helper text guiding users and clarified the app doesn't support ordering, aiming to improve understanding and streamline the process.
BEFORE ---> AFTER
3. Social Page: Event Listing
Users preferred a comprehensive list view of events over a calendar view. To enhance user experience, we added a list view with a search bar, enabling efficient browsing of all events.
3. Social Page: Event Listing
Users preferred a comprehensive list view of events over a calendar view. To enhance user experience, we added a list view with a search bar, enabling efficient browsing of all events.
BEFORE ---> AFTER
04
Design System
Design System
The app would most likely follow UC Davis’ design guidelines if this app were to be commissioned by UC Davis. We thus proceeded with our school’s design system with the goal of UC Davis students associating our app with the school.
The app would most likely follow UC Davis’ design guidelines if this app were to be commissioned by UC Davis. We thus proceeded with our school’s design system with the goal of UC Davis students associating our app with the school.
05
Final Solutions
Final Solutions
Map
Map
Map
The Map tab highlights MU services and amenities, allowing users to filter by Study, Food, Social, and Services.
The Map tab highlights MU services and amenities, allowing users to filter by Study, Food, Social, and Services.
Study
Study
Study
The Study tab displays MU study spots with filters for floor and occupancy, offering details on hours, seating, and study rooms.
The Study tab displays MU study spots with filters for floor and occupancy, offering details on hours, seating, and study rooms.
Food
Food
Food
The Food tab lists MU dining options with a live menu and peak times, helping students plan their visits efficiently.
The Food tab lists MU dining options with a live menu and peak times, helping students plan their visits efficiently.
Social
Social
Social
The Social tab centralizes MU events and Games Area details, offering calendar integration and game information.
The Social tab centralizes MU events and Games Area details, offering calendar integration and game information.
Service
Service
Service
The Services tab offers tailored MU services for UC Davis students, addressing needs from hunger to wellness.
The Services tab offers tailored MU services for UC Davis students, addressing needs from hunger to wellness.
06
Conclusion
Conclusion
CHALLENGES: In developing the UC Davis Memorial Union app, we faced challenges in UX Copy and Writing for clear communication, balancing contextual navigation to prevent cognitive overload, and creating an interactive MU map with a user-friendly interface. These hurdles shaped our strategic approach and contributed to the project's success.
CHALLENGES:
In developing the UC Davis Memorial Union app, we faced challenges in UX Copy and Writing for clear communication, balancing contextual navigation to prevent cognitive overload, and creating an interactive MU map with a user-friendly interface. These hurdles shaped our strategic approach and contributed to the project's success.
NEXT STEPS
1. User Research Expansion:
Conduct additional user research focusing on faculty and visitors to gather insights beyond the student majority. This will address the current data gap and help enhance the app for a broader user base.
1. User Research Expansion:
Conduct additional user research focusing on faculty and visitors to gather insights beyond the student majority. This will address the current data gap and help enhance the app for a broader user base.
1. User Research Expansion:
Conduct additional user research focusing on faculty and visitors to gather insights beyond the student majority. This will address the current data gap and help enhance the app for a broader user base.
2. Enhanced Dynamic Mapping:
Create an advanced map feature that tracks users upon entering the MU, providing real-time directions, particularly helpful for visitors and unfamiliar students.
2. Enhanced Dynamic Mapping:
Create an advanced map feature that tracks users upon entering the MU, providing real-time directions, particularly helpful for visitors and unfamiliar students.
2. Enhanced Dynamic Mapping:
Create an advanced map feature that tracks users upon entering the MU, providing real-time directions, particularly helpful for visitors and unfamiliar students.
3. Order Ahead Feature:
Implement a user-requested feature allowing CoHo orders through the app; initially, its inclusion was prevented due to time constraints.
3. Order Ahead Feature:
Implement a user-requested feature allowing CoHo orders through the app; initially, its inclusion was prevented due to time constraints.
3. Order Ahead Feature:
Implement a user-requested feature allowing CoHo orders through the app; initially, its inclusion was prevented due to time constraints.
PRESENTATION DAY
We showcased our app to industry judges from Google, Spotify, and Netflix. We were awarded with Most Customer Centric UX for our design.
We showcased our app to industry judges from Google, Spotify, and Netflix. We were awarded with Most Customer Centric UX for our design.
Let's Build Something Impactful.
awu.
© 2024 Annabelle Wu
Let's Build Something Impactful.
awu.
© 2024 Annabelle Wu
Let's Build Something Impactful.
awu.
© 2024 Annabelle Wu