Overview
Project Brief
Reimagining "Shoreline," an app that displays UCSB campus events, workshops, and clubs by making it easier to track the activities of your interest.
Problem Statement
Shoreline is the primary event platform for UCSB, yet student engagement remains significantly low.
This project aims to redesign the app with a more streamlined interface and improved event discovery, reducing clutter to enhance usability and increase student adoption.
User Research
Surveys
We conducted a survey to gather metrics on student engagement with Shoreline to validate our problem statement.
Engagement: Goals
90% preferred using Instagram for events rather than Shoreline due to the community aspect and direct message features
Pain Points
75% reported not attending events due to far location, late notice, not being aware, or having access to a concise list of clubs
82% valued community connection with other students, but face challenges feeling comfortable not knowing if friends will be attending
Needs & Expectations
85% mentioned wanting an option to link events to Google Calendar
45% liked the scroll feature of Shoreline, but felt overwhelmed from the UI
64% mostly attend club meetings and sports events, followed by workshops & wellness events
Conclusion
Top problems students face in connecting with the community is unclear organization and finding relevant events while being a working mother
Synthesis
Affinity Mapping
To be clear about our goals, we organized our findings into 4 main categories: Goals, Pain Points, Needs and Expectations, and Other
Ideation
Sketching Key Features
Using insights from our research, our team each sketched potential solutions.
Mid-Fidelity
Wireframes
Usability Testing
Organization of Key Pain Points
While conducting user testing, we pinpointed key pain points from our mid-fidelity prototypes:
Key Pain Points:
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Users reported the "groups you might like" icons are too similar to user profiles. Distinguish them away from these to make it clear what user is adding
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Users reported that the "my interests" in profile again too closely resemble user profiles, may look like "my friends" from a quick glance
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Users wanted a clear ability to form their own events to strengthen community connection
Final Solution
Design System & Components
Final Features
Sign in & Find Category
Explore Feed & Create Event
Explore Event Details
Explore Map
Edit Preferences
Reflection
Redesigning Shoreline was my first-ever UI/UX project, and it was the experience that sparked my passion for user-centered design. Through this project, I discovered how impactful intuitive interfaces can be in driving engagement, and I became deeply invested in creating seamless digital experiences.
This project also introduced me to the collaborative nature of UX design, allowing me to work with designers of varying experience levels. Learning from others, sharing ideas, and iterating on feedback helped me grow both as a designer and a problem solver. This experience ultimately propelled me into more advanced UX work, inspiring me to continue refining my skills and tackling meaningful design challenges.
Key Takeaways:
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First Exposure to UI/UX: This project introduced me to the fundamentals of user experience design and ignited my passion for creating intuitive digital interfaces.
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Importance of Streamlined Design: I learned how simplifying navigation and reducing clutter can significantly enhance user engagement.
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Collaboration with Diverse Designers: Working with individuals of varying experience levels broadened my perspective and improved my ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
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Iterative Design Process: I gained hands-on experience in refining a product through research, testing, and continuous improvements.
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Foundation for Future UX Work: This project laid the groundwork for my journey in UI/UX, inspiring me to take on more complex design challenges