I study where people, products and processes stop making sense.

Website

I built the restaurant's website with Lovable. It keeps ordering one tap away on every page and puts the full menu online in the same small/large format as the print menu.

Problem

Navigating the University of Michigan can feel like traversing a labyrinth, especially for freshmen and transfer students unfamiliar with the area. Students often juggle multiple websites and applications to locate buildings, bus routes and classes, leading to occasional inaccuracies and tardiness. This frustrating experience can significantly impact students' academic success and overall campus experience.

Solution

By teaming up with students and digging into their daily experiences on campus, we brainstormed a better way to get around and make everyday commutes easier. Listening to their feedback and understanding their struggles, we developed an intuitive wayfinding app designed specifically for UMich students. Our design includes:

• Real-time building and class location
• Optimized bus routes
• Personalized navigation help

Process

Our process followed the double diamond, moving from discovering the problem to defining it, then developing and testing solutions, with research running through every stage.

Personas

Two personas represent the range of students we designed for: a first-year student on her first day, and a senior who already knows campus well.

User journey map

Kaia's journey from her apartment to her first class shows where confidence drops: reaching the building entrance, and finding the classroom once inside.

Research findings

Our survey surfaced a clear gap between getting to a building and finding a room inside it:

• 14 of the 17 responses said directing students to the right building entrance would be helpful, 8 of them very helpful.
• Finding a classroom inside a building was mixed: 8 agreed it was easy, 4 were neutral, and 5 disagreed.
• Google Maps was the most used resource (14), followed by the U-M Magic Bus app (12). Google Search was the top way students found resources (14), then friends (10).

Opportunity solution tree

We mapped the research findings to opportunities and solution ideas in an opportunity solution tree.

What I learned

Throughout these four months, I learned the importance of deeply understanding the needs and challenges of students when it comes to campus navigation. This deep dive allowed my team to pinpoint the most essential features for our design, ensuring an intuitive and seamless user experience. We discovered that simplicity and accuracy are key factors in enhancing campus navigation, and the importance of looking in the direction of the user for support.

Problem

Despite the growing popularity of matcha, there is a significant gap in the market for a dedicated platform that caters specifically to matcha enthusiasts. Matcha comes in various grades and forms, from culinary to ceremonial, making it confusing for newcomers to select the right product. Many people also struggle to find reliable information on how to prepare and enjoy matcha properly, and finding cafes that serve high-quality matcha is another challenge, as options can be limited and inconsistent. With no centralized resource, it's hard for matcha lovers to fully explore their passion.

Solution

We designed “MatchaMate,” an app that creates connections among matcha lovers, with features tailored to their needs:

• Forums to discuss all things matcha
• Sharing and discovering new recipes
• A cafe search to find local spots serving high-quality matcha
• An educational feature to learn about matcha-related products and tips

By providing these resources, MatchaMate aims to simplify the matcha experience, making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Elevator pitch

Introducing MatchaMate, the ultimate online hub for all matcha lovers, from casual enjoyers to passionate enthusiasts! MatchaMate offers an interactive map where users can easily locate nearby cafes serving matcha drinks, complete with allergen and accessibility icons and community reviews with a five-star rating system. Our blog space, “Learn More About Matcha,” provides rich, informative content on various matcha-related topics. Our “Chat Forums” enable lively discussions, questions and shared insights. Operating as a non-profit, MatchaMate is dedicated to creating “flexible and extensible gathering places” for everyone to share, explore and learn more about matcha.

User scenario: the matcha enthusiast

Emma discovers MatchaMate while searching for a platform dedicated to her favorite beverage. She wants a space to connect with fellow enthusiasts and share her experiences. Eager to delve deeper into matcha culture, she signs up and explores the community's features: discovering new cafes and recipes, and contributing her own review of a local café's matcha latte. Emma feels thrilled to connect with like-minded people, learning about different matcha variations and recommended spots globally. MatchaMate becomes her go-to hub, satisfying her passion and fostering connections with fellow matcha lovers.

User scenario: a graduate's journey

Leo, a graduate student at the University of Michigan, stumbles upon MatchaMate through a friend's recommendation. Seeking a cozy spot to study and unwind, he wants a guide to Ann Arbor's matcha scene. He joins the platform to explore local cafes offering quality matcha near campus, finding reviews, insider tips and discussions on the best spots for students to study. Leo engages with the community, sharing his experiences and discovering hidden gems beyond campus. MatchaMate becomes his resource for exploring matcha and enhancing his college experience in Ann Arbor.

Competitive analysis

I analyzed how matcha lovers use existing platforms today to find cafes and connect with each other.

Design

Interactive map and icons. The map lets users enter their location and discover nearby cafes that offer matcha drinks. Each tagged location includes icons indicating allergen and accessibility features, so users can find venues that meet their dietary and mobility needs. The map also features community reviews with a five-star rating system.

Blog space: “Learn More About Matcha.” A dedicated space designed to educate users, with articles, guides and tips to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of matcha.

Chat forums. Structured into multiple threads so users can dive into specific discussion topics, facilitating questions and answers and promoting a collaborative, engaging community.

Moderation: a safe and respectful community

To maintain a positive and respectful atmosphere, MatchaMate employs a team of moderators who oversee interactions and content. They keep discussions friendly and on-topic, and address inappropriate behavior promptly.

Encouraging participation: milestone badges

To incentivize engagement, MatchaMate awards milestone badges for specific levels of activity, for example:

• Matcha Master Badge: awarded when a user saves 50 recipes
• Friendly Badge: earned by commenting on 25 posts

Badges are prominently displayed on profile pages, encouraging more interaction and showcasing active members. This gamification helps create “meaningful and evolving member profiles,” enhancing the experience and fostering a vibrant community.

Prototype

Nine screens covering onboarding, discovery, learning, community and profile.

Design system

Non-profit model

Operating as a non-profit, MatchaMate's sole purpose is to provide a platform for sharing, exploring and learning about matcha. Our mission is to create an inclusive and supportive space for all matcha lovers, ensuring the community continues to grow and thrive.

What I learned

Creating MatchaMate taught me a lot about putting users first and tackling technical challenges like building an interactive map with allergen and accessibility info. We discovered how rewarding user participation with badges can boost community engagement, and the importance of good moderation to keep the platform friendly and on-topic. We also learned how crucial it is to offer valuable, interesting content and to stay true to our mission as a non-profit focused on serving our matcha-loving community.

Goal

When drivers face heavy traffic, finding an alternate route can be stressful and difficult, especially when using a phone or navigation system. My system suggests potential re-routes while letting users adjust them to their preferences. For instance, if the system suggests highways but the driver prefers to avoid them, they can choose a more suitable route.

Design

The design focuses on efficiently notifying drivers of heavy traffic and suggesting alternate routes. Traditional navigation systems require manual input, which is unsafe. My system uses voice assistance and a small screen on the windshield to display hazard icons and faster route options. Drivers navigate the options using the up and down arrows on the steering wheel, with an automated voice reading each option. A confirmation message on the windshield informs the driver of the current route status.

Bridging the gap between plan and specify

My design bridges the gap between “Plan” and “Specify” by letting the car verbally provide route options and enabling drivers to select them using steering wheel buttons. This keeps the driver safe by eliminating the need to manually search for routes.

Supporting the gulf of evaluation

• Perceiving the state of interaction: the system displays a progress bar showing the new route loading and a checkmark once re-routing is complete.
• Interpreting the state of interaction: a small label on the windshield confirms the new route, indicating it has successfully re-routed to avoid traffic.
• Evaluating the outcome: users can see and hear that their route has been updated, confirming the system's response to traffic.

Situation awareness

The car enhances situational awareness by displaying route information on the windshield, so the driver can switch routes without looking away from the road. Traffic issues are addressed verbally, and the driver uses the steering wheel to choose alternate routes. After selecting a route, the car confirms the choice and informs the driver of the new route duration.

Design visuals