PIPE DREAM ACADEMY
Executive Summary
Being the Lead UI/UX Designer facilitating Project Manager duties, the goal was to redefine career transitions in the tech industry with an immersive eLearning platform by Pipe Dream Ventures. Utilizing principles of product ownership, user research, iterative prototyping, a captivating onboarding process and a comprehensive career roadmap was crafted. The pinnacle of efforts was showcased in a client presentation, embodying a journey marked by user-centric innovation. Tasks extended beyond ideation to the translation of vision into a Proof of Concept prototype, strategically positioned for potential collaborators and investors.
Project Highlights
My role: Lead UI/ UX Designer
HCD Methods: Design Sprint, Competitive Audit, Directed Storytelling/ Research Interviews, Kano Analysis, Persona Development & Strategy Statement, Future User Journey Map, Digitized Architectural Diagram, Low & Mid-Fidelity Wireframes, Usability Testing, Interactive Website Prototype, Client Presentation & Deliverables Handoff
Deliverables
RESEARCH
Analyzing Competitors: Paving Pathways To Distinct Market Presence
Key Discoveries and Insights
Human Connection:
Recognizing the significance of human interaction is crucial, even within prevalent eLearning platforms. This is evident through mentorship opportunities and the fostering of meaningful student-to-student relationships.
Trust Building:
Building trust is a paramount aspect, achievable through the transparent display of success metrics and the establishment of authentic affiliations with renowned companies.
Value Proposition Clarity:
In the context of abundant low-cost resources, crafting a compelling value proposition becomes essential, emphasizing the significance of reputation for paid services.
Soft Skills in VR:
An emerging trend involves the integration of soft skills training within virtual reality environments, presenting an opportunity for innovative approaches in product design and user experience.
Tech Skills and VR Gap:
A noticeable disparity exists between hard tech skills training and its integration with virtual reality platforms. Bridging this gap presents a strategic challenge for product managers and designers.
Computer Accessibility:
Recognizing that the platform is primarily accessed through computers is vital for user engagement. This insight informs the design and user experience considerations for product designers and UX content designers.
User Voices: Research Interviews Enrich Design Journey With Stories
Directed Storytelling/ Research Interviews
Themes Established During Interviews:
Trust:
Participants consistently underscored the pivotal role of trust in their user experience. Factors such as transparent practices, user reviews, testimonials, and stringent data privacy measures were highlighted. Users expressed a strong inclination towards platforms that instill a sense of reliability and security.
Flexibility:
User control emerged as a critical theme, with interviewees valuing platforms that provide flexibility in terms of learning pace, content customization, and adaptable resources. The emphasis was on empowering users throughout their learning journey.
Clarity:
The need for clarity resonated strongly among interviewees, who emphasized the importance of a user-friendly interface and easily comprehensible instructions. A clear and intuitive design was deemed essential for fostering a positive learning experience, aligning with the principles of product design.
Value:
The theme of value encompassed various aspects, including the platform's reputation, accreditation from trusted sources, and the availability of high-quality educational content. Participants stressed the importance of tangible value and credibility as fundamental drivers for engagement.
These recurrent themes, distilled from insightful user interviews, offer valuable insights for crafting an effective and user-centric learning platform. The guidance provided aligns with the principles of trust-building, user empowerment, clarity in design, and the delivery of meaningful value—critical elements for professionals in product design, ownership, management, and UX content design.
Kano Uncovered: Thoughtful User Needs & Experience Enhancements
Key Findings From Kano Analysis Unearthed:
Outlined Curriculum:
Users emphasized the necessity of having an outlined curriculum for the eLearning platform. A clear and structured coursework plan tailored to specific tech careers was deemed crucial. This ensures learners navigate their educational journey with clarity, understanding the trajectory of their studies, and making informed decisions.
Shareable Certificates:
Users found the opportunity to obtain shareable certificates of completion to be an attractive feature. These certificates were regarded as valuable tools for showcasing acquired skills and accomplishments, enhancing credibility and marketability within the tech field.
Training in Soft Skills:
Notably, participants expressed a strong interest in training encompassing soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The ability to cultivate these interpersonal and adaptive skills was viewed as an attractive and valuable asset, contributing to holistic career development.
Training in Hard Skills:
The importance of training in hard skills related to chosen tech careers was strongly emphasized. Acquiring practical, job-specific skills was deemed essential for enhancing employability and success in the competitive tech industry.
DESIGN
Mapping Future Journeys: Envisioning User Pathways & Interactions
User Journey Map
Meet Ruby:
Ruby, a 22-year-old Gen Z individual, embodies the aspirations of those seeking affordable entry into the tech world. The comprehensive research spanned across Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Initial responses from Gen X and millennials displayed hesitancy toward VR for tech training, while Gen Z exhibited enthusiasm, coupled with concerns about cost and quality.
The Solution:
To address these findings, the solution going forward was to make all VR lessons accessible in desktop mode. Ruby serves as a representative of learners in search of interactive, affordable, and flexible education. The approach caters to her preference for immersive learning experiences beyond standard lectures, fostering tech skills. This strategy also aligns with accommodating diverse schedules and preferences, ensuring a user-centric educational experience.
Persona Strategy Fusion: Spotlighting Vision With User Personas
“Ruby” Persona
Strategy Statement:
All user experience touchpoints for Pipe Dream Academy will aim to instill a sense of support and confidence in job seekers, enabling them to enhance their skills for improved employability.
This will be achieved through a strategic emphasis on trust, value, flexibility, and clarity. Consequently, creating a positive impact on users' ability to secure employment opportunities.
Constructing Support For Pipe Dream Academy
Digitized Architectural Diagram created on Figma
The Objective:
The overarching goal was to create a user-friendly and versatile platform capable of presenting diverse content formats. Simultaneously, the design prioritizes transparent learning tracking and advancement, ensuring users can easily monitor their progress within the platform.
The architectural diagram served as a roadmap for identifying crucial pages and features with a specific focus on:
Facilitating Smooth Sign-Up and Effortless Onboarding:
The design prioritizes creating a seamless sign-up process and ensuring effortless onboarding for users entering the platform.
Outlining Platform Offerings:
Clear visualization of the platform's offerings is emphasized, ensuring users have a comprehensive understanding of the available features and services.
Assisting Easy Job-Seeker Profile Setup:
The user experience design includes features to assist in the simple and efficient setup of job-seeker profiles, enhancing user engagement.
Providing Digital Course Content:
The architecture integrates features for the delivery of digital course content, promoting a dynamic and engaging learning experience.
Wireframe Explorations: Brainstorming Design Concepts With Low Fidelity Sketches
Detailed Design: Annotated Wireframes For Enhanced User Experience
TESTING
Usability Prototype Testing Results: A Dynamic Website Experience
Attention-Grabbing Debut Sets the Tone:
The design seamlessly blends gaming elements with eLearning traditions, incorporating concise explanations, visuals, icons, and an engaging video. Dual Calls to Action (CTAs) cater to users at different career stages—a free career-matching assessment for explorers and a trial period with VR simulations for focused learners. The assessment strategically collects user data, facilitating onboarding and enhancing customer understanding. The Gen Z-focused approach ensures a captivating first impression, laying the foundation for an immersive journey of career growth and discovery.
Presenting Course Details for Trust and Value:
Dedicated pages for each career course outline goals, instruction modes, and time commitment. Unit specifics are thoughtfully organized in an accordion menu, ensuring a user-friendly experience. A satisfied customer's testimonial provides a tangible picture of success. A brief video introduces day-in-the-life VR simulations, especially catering to users exploring the platform. Future plans involve integrating short VR experiences on career pages, showcasing quality and dynamic lessons, including simulations and games. Another customer's success story exemplifies achievable outcomes, while a concise video offers a taste of immersive VR. Anticipate upcoming short VR experiences on career pages, pushing educational technology boundaries for transformative learning.
Elevated Learning: Balanced Progress & Flexible Engagement:
Introducing the Learning Portal: Navigate a clear career path with the freedom to explore. Achieve a balance between linear progress and flexibility as you embark on courses. Discover diverse lessons through the clickable progress bar and search function. Hone soft skills with the horizontal scroll bar. Engage in live Competitions and Challenges, tapping into your gaming affinity. Your journey starts here, merging structure and choice for an enriching learning experience.
OUTCOME
Engaging the Client: Presenting Results and Handing Over Deliverables
Client Raves: Positive Feedback Amplifying Project Success
”So amazing! Thank you guys so much. I was truly impressed. I was caught by surprise!
I am still amazed that you guys did this in 3 weeks. Usually these things take a lot of time. As a project manager, it’s good to see. You were really communicating and collaborating with how to work with each other and delegating.”
- Marlaina Love
Pipe Dream Academy CEO/ Founder
Client Hand Off Meeting on Zoom
REFLECTION
In navigating ambiguity throughout this project, the UX journey with Pipe Dream Academy was driven by innovation and empathy. Success hinged on a strategic blend of competitive analysis, comprehensive secondary research, and empathetic engagement with test participants. In conclusion, a dynamic Proof of Concept (POC) for Pipe Dream Academy's visionary eLearning platform was crafted.
The developed prototype achieved a skillful equilibrium between the client's vision and the preferences of the users, establishing a profound resonance. As deliverables were revealed, the client's excitement surged, propelling Marlaina closer to realizing her innovative "accessible" VR eLearning platform.
