UWL E-MAP
Smart Navigation for All
A User-Centric Approach for an Accessible and Efficient Campus Navigation Experience
Project type: App UX design
Role: UX Researcher, UX Designer
Industry: Education
Tools: Miro, Axure
Duration: 1 month
Introduction
The users
Students and visitors at the University of West London, ranging from young adults to older individuals with diverse abilities and backgrounds.
The product
An intuitive e-map application designed to help users navigate the expansive UWL campus. The application aims to enhance the overall experience by ensuring everyone, irrespective of their abilities, can confidently explore and utilize the campus facilities.
Business Goal
The goal was to improve the ease of navigation across UWL's expansive campus, thereby enhancing user engagement and satisfaction. This involved creating a user-friendly digital tool that would simplify wayfinding and improve the accessibility of campus resources.
How can we improve user satisfaction ?
Optimizing Campus Navigation for UWL Students and Visitors
After conducting extensive user research I found out that new students and visitors often struggled to navigate the UWL campus due to its size and the complexity of its layout. 54% of users were unable to navigate the campus even using physical maps. Many users needed a more intuitive and accessible way to find specific facilities, classrooms, and services. How might we create a more intuitive campus navigation experience for all users?
THE PROPOSED SOLUTION
A prominent search bar on the main page allows for quick and easy location of campus facilities. Personalized features, such as course-based classroom highlighting, provide detailed directions on-demand. These design choices aim to make navigation straightforward and the campus more accessible to everyone.
I developed a comprehensive user flow and interface tailored to the individual navigation needs of each user. Upon account creation, the application prompts new students or visitors with questions regarding their course and year of study. Based on the responses, the app generates a customized map of the UWL campus, highlighting relevant classrooms. When the user selects a highlighted classroom, the app provides an option to receive directions to that location.
Wireframes of the landing screen, registration process and main screen
Let’s see if the changes worked!
During this project, I gained valuable skills and insights, including effective use of Axure. Additionally, I improved my skills in usability testing and gathering requirements, which are crucial for creating user-centric designs. Understanding and addressing the users' pain points were fundamental to the project's success, underscoring the importance of empathetic design and thorough user research
Axure prototype, home page on the left, Map for Ground floor on the middle, directions for the search bar “Freddie” on the right.
This redesign highlighted the importance of intuitive navigation and user-friendly interfaces in educational environments.
The usability testing confirmed that the proposed design has the potential to improve discoverability and user engagement, particularly due to the personalized navigation and interactive map. More than 60% of users said they would like to use the proposed solution when navigating the campus.