Project Overview

Project Name: U-Frest – Personalized Stress Management App for College Freshmen
Role: UX Designer (Collaborated with a Teammate)
Tools Used: Figma, Prototyping

Summary:
U-Frest is a mobile app designed to help college freshmen manage stress by delivering personalized stress management techniques that align with their learning styles. Through thorough research, we identified the top stressors for college students and analyzed how different learning styles impact their ability to cope with stress. The goal was to create an intuitive interface that provides tailored resources, helping students build better emotional resilience and navigate new life challenges effectively.

Problem Statement

The Challenge:
College freshmen often struggle with stress management due to the transition from high school to college, new social environments, and academic pressures. Current university-provided resources are generalized and fail to account for diverse learning styles, making it difficult for students to develop effective coping mechanisms.

Key Insight:
Students are more likely to engage with stress management techniques when the content is personalized to match their preferred learning style. Without this personalization, students often disengage, leading to prolonged stress and lower overall well-being.

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Hypothesis & Goals

Hypothesis:
We believed that offering a platform that delivers personalized stress management techniques, aligned with individual learning styles, would help freshmen:

• Build healthier stress management habits.
• Improve emotional and physical well-being.
• Create a smoother transition to college life.

Project Goals:

• Deliver tailored stress management resources aligned with learning styles.
• Encourage consistent app use through an engaging interface.
• Promote overall improvements in health, organization, and academic success.

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‍Research & Discovery

User Research & Literature Review

We began by conducting a comprehensive review of research and articles focusing on college student stress, identifying the most common stressors and their effects. We also explored how different learning styles impact information retention and engagement.

Top Stressors Identified:

• Academic workload and tight deadlines
• Time management challenges
• Relationship conflicts (romantic and non-romantic)
• Financial responsibilities
• Homesickness and adapting to new environments
• Balancing work and academic schedules

Learning Styles Considered:

1. Kinesthetic Learners:
   • Learn best through first-hand experiences, following along, and seeing results from practical examples.
   • Prefer active engagement, planning, and doing.
2. Introvert Learners:
   • Learn best through reading, self-paced video tutorials, and reflecting privately.
   • Prefer independent, quiet study environments.

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Design Process

1. Ideation & Initial Sketches

We started by sketching wireframes and brainstorming potential user flows that would ensure an intuitive, engaging interface for both learning styles.

Key Design Considerations:

• Create a clean, easy-to-navigate layout to minimize cognitive load.
• Incorporate learning style assessments to personalize the user experience.
• Design stress management modules that align with the user's learning preferences.

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2. Icon Development & Visual Language

We developed a series of icons that represented different methods of stress management, catering to both kinesthetic and introvert learners.

Icon Categories:

• Kinesthetic Learners: Active tasks, guided challenges, and progress-based engagement.
• Introvert Learners: Articles, self-paced videos, and reflective learning activities.

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3. High-Fidelity Prototypes & User Flow

Using Figma, we created high-fidelity prototypes with an emphasis on vibrant yet calming colors that reflect a welcoming, stress-free environment.

Key Interface Features:

• Personalized Dashboard: Tailored recommendations based on the user's learning style.
• Progress Tracking: Encouraged continuous use by allowing users to see their improvement.
• Modular Learning System: Multiple ways to engage with the content (read, watch, do).

‍4. Poster Design with QR Code Integration

To promote app engagement, we designed posters with QR codes that linked directly to the app. These posters were placed in high-traffic areas such as residence halls and student centers, ensuring easy access for freshmen.

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User Testing & Refinement

5. Prototype Testing & Iterations

We conducted multiple rounds of user testing to evaluate ease of navigation, clarity of information, and overall satisfaction.

Key Findings:

• Students preferred content that was tailored to their learning style.
• A clean, well-organized interface minimized cognitive overload, allowing users to focus on content.
• The QR code posters increased app adoption and engagement.

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Final Deliverables

Final Interface Design

The final design included an easy-to-navigate app interface with learning-style-based modules, a progress tracking system, and interactive features that encouraged daily use.

Promotional Materials:

• Posters with QR codes that directed users to the app.
• Visually appealing, easy-to-understand designs to encourage interaction.

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Results & Impact

Positive Outcomes:

• Enhanced user engagement by offering personalized stress management content.
• Improved emotional well-being through consistent app usage.
• Increased awareness and adoption of stress management techniques among college freshmen.

Potential for Future Growth:

• Expanding the app to include more interactive modules.
• Partnering with universities to make U-Frest a standard onboarding resource for incoming freshmen.

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Key Learnings & Reflections

• Personalizing content delivery enhances engagement and improves outcomes.
• Using QR codes in promotional materials boosts app visibility and adoption.
• A clean, well-structured interface minimizes cognitive overload and encourages regular use.

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