Connect Edu
Overview
Connect Edu is a conceptual platform design based on Drexel's DrexelOne App. It is a mobile app designed for Drexel University students providing convenient access to personal academic, financial, and career information. The Connect Edu project aims to create an interactive and intuitive user experience that addresses common pain points in the DrexelOne platform, including the need for fewer taps to find information and a lack of assignment and task reminders, which can lead to poor academic progress overall. This was achieved by adding engaging microinteractions and visually appealing interfaces throughout the app experience.
Timeline
March 2025 -
June 2025
Role
Solo
Designer
Tools
Figma
Jitter
Problem
DrexelOne App faced several challenges;
-
Outdated Interface: The existing platform was outdated both visually and functionally. Its clunky interface and poor responsiveness made it difficult to navigate daily tasks efficiently.
-
Unreliable real-time information: Notifications for messages and announcements are often delayed or fail to appear altogether, and there are no alerts for assignment updates.
-
Too many taps to find information: The user goes through too many steps just to complete basic tasks, which makes the experience slow and frustrating.
Goals
Some of the goals for the Connect Edu project Include;
-
A Complete rebrand and a new look on the visual design including logo, color, and typography.
-
A clean and modern Interface. This includes clean and student-friendly UI that feels intuitive and easy to navigate.
-
Introduce quick-access shortcuts and contextual actions to allow task completion in a few taps
-
Increase user efficiency & satisfaction by adding additional pages that enhances students to stay on top of academics.
Design
Brand Identity
This includes designing a minimalist and modern logo that best fit the name and purpose of the app. I also added additional colors to the color palette to give it more color range. For Typography, i decided on using Manrope for the body text and Futura STD Bold for headers and titles.
Task Flow
With this Task Flow, there is quick-access shortcuts on the dashboard and navigation that takes students directly to assignments, messages, and announcements. Each resource (assignment, class update, or communication) is reachable in 1–2 taps, compared to multiple screens before.
Lo-Fi Wireframe
This wireflow shows the layout of the design solutions and how information is arranged on each page with focus on usability. It also ensures solutions directly tackle navigation, reliability, and outdated UI problems.
Hi-Fi Wireframe with IX Flow
This is where the UI is polished with the finalized design solutions including the refined color palette, typography, and responsive grid that improves usability. This also includes an documentation of the Interaction Flow showing the triggers, feedback, and rules for all interactions.
Results
After User testing, the project received positive feedback from students. Majority of the feedback was towards UI and how easy it was to navigate. The impact of these changes goes beyond aesthetics: students can now complete essential tasks in fewer steps, receive timely updates without confusion, and stay better organized across their classes.
Ultimately, the redesign improved both usability and engagement, proving how design can transform everyday learning experiences.
Below is the breakdown of the design with the interactions;
Splash Screen: The splash screen design sets a clear first impression of Connect EDU’s refreshed identity. By using subtle motion and clean branding, it reinforces the redesigned platform.
Onboarding Page: The onboarding page design is to introduce the user to Connect Edu's key improvements by combining concise messaging and supportive visuals.
Login Page: The login page redesign brings seurity and brand continuity. The Login page also includes an interactive Text Input to enhance usability with the prototype.
Homepage and Menu: The redesigned homepage/dashboard and Menu serve as a central
hub where students can quickly see assignments, announcements, and messages without extra steps.
With a clean, modern layout, the dashboard reduces clutter and helps students focus on what matters most.
Task page: The task page simplifies how students manage assignments by displaying all upcoming and due tasks in a clear, organized list. This setup reduces confusion and helps students stay informed.
Class Info: The class info and grades page gives students a clear overview of each course, including schedules, materials, and instructor details in one place. Grades are displayed in an organized, transparent format so students can easily track their progress.
Profile page: The profile page allows students to easily view and access their student information. This helps students maintain control over their accounts with minimal effort.
You can explore the full interactive prototype here
