Bubbles Connection
A peer support app designed for university students to connect over shared interests, foster gratitude, and engage in meaningful discussions. Users can explore profiles, join topic-based discussions, and build a supportive academic and social network.
UX RESEARCH
UI/UX DESIGN
TEAM PROJECT
3 MONTHS
Bubbles
*
Let's Connect
*
THe Problem
University students need peer support, interaction, connection, and support resources because it fosters more positive emotions, reduces stress from university, creates a more positive social & academic environment, and encourages students to be appreciative and give back to others.
Research & Formative Studies
Background Research
In the initial brainstorming phase, we reflected on our own university experiences related to peer relationships and academics, and how gratitude was (or wasn't) present. This initial reflection laid the groundwork for our background research, which included articles on managing relationships in university settings, student gratitude models, and the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. Additionally, we conducted 50 surveys and 12 interviews with students to gather firsthand insights into their experiences and challenges. These findings deepened our understanding of the need for peer support and shaped our approach to designing solutions that foster connection and positive emotions.
Key findings from research highlighted the stress and isolation students faced during the pandemic and how they managed it:
Social Isolation: Over half of students reported significant reductions in social interactions during the pandemic.
Academic Stress: Students expressed concerns over their academic progress due to social distancing restrictions and limited in-person interactions.
Virtual Support: Many students turned to virtual meetings (like Zoom) to stay connected with friends and family to manage stress and anxiety.
Insights on Peer Support
Research emphasized the importance of social support in boosting emotional well-being. One key article found that:
Students who perceive higher social support experience significantly higher positive emotions.
Job Stories
When I’m studying alone and can’t seem to focus, I want to find a group of friends to sit with so they can motivate me to study.
When I’m lost and confused about which courses I should take next semester and what the requirements of my program are, I want to find a student mentor who can help clear up my confusions.
When I have doubts in my coursework, I want to find a group of peers that can aid me through constructive discussion, allowing mutual betterment.
When I want to participate in an extracurricular activity, I wish to connect with communities of students who share the same interests as me, so that we can collectively motivate each other.
When I want to find potential connections in industry, I'd want an established community of alumni in my specialized field, so that job search and networking are easier.
Paper Prototype
The paper prototype guides users through setup by allowing them to select predefined answers, record voice responses, and view their profile upon completion. For exploring peers, users slide through topic bubbles to find shared interests, view profiles, and send connection requests. The "Discussion" page lets users browse and engage in discussions by selecting topics, viewing details, and commenting.
Usability Study
Through our evaluation process, which included heuristic analysis and user testing, we identified key lessons that highlighted areas for improvement.
Visibility of System Status
We observed that users appreciated clear prompts and progress indicators, especially in the setup section, where they felt guided throughout the process. However, confusion arose on the "Explore Peers" page, where a lack of feedback on actions left users unsure of the current state, suggesting the need for clearer system status indicators.
User Control and Freedom
Allowing users to undo actions or navigate backward provided a sense of control, easing the user journey. Similarly, empowering users with the option to privatize information enhanced their confidence in managing personal details securely.
Recognition Over Recall
We found that users performed better when features were named clearly, helping them easily recognize tools without the need to remember or search for their function.
Help and Documentation
In areas where users were uncertain, the addition of information prompts or tooltips clarified how to use specific features, improving overall user understanding.
Final designs
Logo Design
Visual Identity
UI/UX Design
Usability Testing
Prototyping
User Research
Development
Atomic Design
CONTACT
Let's Get in Touch
saraheddeb@gmail.com
Bubbles Connection
A peer support app designed for university students to connect over shared interests, foster gratitude, and engage in meaningful discussions. Users can explore profiles, join topic-based discussions, and build a supportive academic and social network.
UX RESEARCH
UI/UX DESIGN
TEAM PROJECT
3 MONTHS
Bubbles
*
Let's Connect
*
THe Problem
University students need peer support, interaction, connection, and support resources because it fosters more positive emotions, reduces stress from university, creates a more positive social & academic environment, and encourages students to be appreciative and give back to others.
Research & Formative Studies
Background Research
In the initial brainstorming phase, we reflected on our own university experiences related to peer relationships and academics, and how gratitude was (or wasn't) present. This initial reflection laid the groundwork for our background research, which included articles on managing relationships in university settings, student gratitude models, and the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. Additionally, we conducted 50 surveys and 12 interviews with students to gather firsthand insights into their experiences and challenges. These findings deepened our understanding of the need for peer support and shaped our approach to designing solutions that foster connection and positive emotions.
Key findings from research highlighted the stress and isolation students faced during the pandemic and how they managed it:
Social Isolation: Over half of students reported significant reductions in social interactions during the pandemic.
Academic Stress: Students expressed concerns over their academic progress due to social distancing restrictions and limited in-person interactions.
Virtual Support: Many students turned to virtual meetings (like Zoom) to stay connected with friends and family to manage stress and anxiety.
Insights on Peer Support
Research emphasized the importance of social support in boosting emotional well-being. One key article found that:
Students who perceive higher social support experience significantly higher positive emotions.
Job Stories
When I’m studying alone and can’t seem to focus, I want to find a group of friends to sit with so they can motivate me to study.
When I’m lost and confused about which courses I should take next semester and what the requirements of my program are, I want to find a student mentor who can help clear up my confusions.
When I have doubts in my coursework, I want to find a group of peers that can aid me through constructive discussion, allowing mutual betterment.
When I want to participate in an extracurricular activity, I wish to connect with communities of students who share the same interests as me, so that we can collectively motivate each other.
When I want to find potential connections in industry, I'd want an established community of alumni in my specialized field, so that job search and networking are easier.
Paper Prototype
The paper prototype guides users through setup by allowing them to select predefined answers, record voice responses, and view their profile upon completion. For exploring peers, users slide through topic bubbles to find shared interests, view profiles, and send connection requests. The "Discussion" page lets users browse and engage in discussions by selecting topics, viewing details, and commenting.
Usability Study
Through our evaluation process, which included heuristic analysis and user testing, we identified key lessons that highlighted areas for improvement.
Visibility of System Status
We observed that users appreciated clear prompts and progress indicators, especially in the setup section, where they felt guided throughout the process. However, confusion arose on the "Explore Peers" page, where a lack of feedback on actions left users unsure of the current state, suggesting the need for clearer system status indicators.
User Control and Freedom
Allowing users to undo actions or navigate backward provided a sense of control, easing the user journey. Similarly, empowering users with the option to privatize information enhanced their confidence in managing personal details securely.
Recognition Over Recall
We found that users performed better when features were named clearly, helping them easily recognize tools without the need to remember or search for their function.
Help and Documentation
In areas where users were uncertain, the addition of information prompts or tooltips clarified how to use specific features, improving overall user understanding.
Final designs
Logo Design
Visual Identity
UI/UX Design
Usability Testing
Prototyping
User Research
Development
Atomic Design
CONTACT
Let's Get in Touch
saraheddeb@gmail.com
Bubbles Connection
A peer support app designed for university students to connect over shared interests, foster gratitude, and engage in meaningful discussions. Users can explore profiles, join topic-based discussions, and build a supportive academic and social network.
UX RESEARCH
UI/UX DESIGN
TEAM PROJECT
3 MONTHS
Bubbles
*
Let's Connect
*
THe Problem
University students need peer support, interaction, connection, and support resources because it fosters more positive emotions, reduces stress from university, creates a more positive social & academic environment, and encourages students to be appreciative and give back to others.
Research & Formative Studies
Background Research
In the initial brainstorming phase, we reflected on our own university experiences related to peer relationships and academics, and how gratitude was (or wasn't) present. This initial reflection laid the groundwork for our background research, which included articles on managing relationships in university settings, student gratitude models, and the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. Additionally, we conducted 50 surveys and 12 interviews with students to gather firsthand insights into their experiences and challenges. These findings deepened our understanding of the need for peer support and shaped our approach to designing solutions that foster connection and positive emotions.
Key findings from research highlighted the stress and isolation students faced during the pandemic and how they managed it:
Social Isolation: Over half of students reported significant reductions in social interactions during the pandemic.
Academic Stress: Students expressed concerns over their academic progress due to social distancing restrictions and limited in-person interactions.
Virtual Support: Many students turned to virtual meetings (like Zoom) to stay connected with friends and family to manage stress and anxiety.
Insights on Peer Support
Research emphasized the importance of social support in boosting emotional well-being. One key article found that:
Students who perceive higher social support experience significantly higher positive emotions.
Job Stories
When I’m studying alone and can’t seem to focus, I want to find a group of friends to sit with so they can motivate me to study.
When I’m lost and confused about which courses I should take next semester and what the requirements of my program are, I want to find a student mentor who can help clear up my confusions.
When I have doubts in my coursework, I want to find a group of peers that can aid me through constructive discussion, allowing mutual betterment.
When I want to participate in an extracurricular activity, I wish to connect with communities of students who share the same interests as me, so that we can collectively motivate each other.
When I want to find potential connections in industry, I'd want an established community of alumni in my specialized field, so that job search and networking are easier.
Paper Prototype
The paper prototype guides users through setup by allowing them to select predefined answers, record voice responses, and view their profile upon completion. For exploring peers, users slide through topic bubbles to find shared interests, view profiles, and send connection requests. The "Discussion" page lets users browse and engage in discussions by selecting topics, viewing details, and commenting.
Usability Study
Through our evaluation process, which included heuristic analysis and user testing, we identified key lessons that highlighted areas for improvement.
Visibility of System Status
We observed that users appreciated clear prompts and progress indicators, especially in the setup section, where they felt guided throughout the process. However, confusion arose on the "Explore Peers" page, where a lack of feedback on actions left users unsure of the current state, suggesting the need for clearer system status indicators.
User Control and Freedom
Allowing users to undo actions or navigate backward provided a sense of control, easing the user journey. Similarly, empowering users with the option to privatize information enhanced their confidence in managing personal details securely.
Recognition Over Recall
We found that users performed better when features were named clearly, helping them easily recognize tools without the need to remember or search for their function.
Help and Documentation
In areas where users were uncertain, the addition of information prompts or tooltips clarified how to use specific features, improving overall user understanding.
Final designs
Logo Design
Visual Identity
UI/UX Design
Usability Testing
Prototyping
User Research
Development
Atomic Design
CONTACT
Let's Get in Touch
saraheddeb@gmail.com