Product Design · Design Systems · Present

Study Buddies

A mobile platform designed to help Binghamton University students connect and collaborate academically on a single platform. We addressed this by matching students based on shared majors and class sections to encourage study habits and peer support.

Timeline

May 2025 - Present

Team

1 Lead
3 Consultants

Role

UX Designer

Platform

iOS
Android App

Skills

Figma

OVERVIEW

I designed an application that connects students to find academic peers and groups.

As a Product Designer on the Study Buddies team, I worked alongside my peers to define the platform's structure and user experience. My contribution included:

Architecture

Participated in the wireframing and structural design of our pages, exploring usability and information hierarchy that align with student needs.

Architecture

Participated in the wireframing and structural design of our pages, exploring usability and information hierarchy that align with student needs.

Ideation

To accelerate our ideation phase, we utilized Crazy Eights, which helped us transition quickly from concepts to lo-fi wireframes.

Ideation

To accelerate our ideation phase, we utilized Crazy Eights, which helped us transition quickly from concepts to lo-fi wireframes.

Development

Translated lo-fi wireframes into a cohesive user journey, refining the details from initial entry to final product.

Development

Translated lo-fi wireframes into a cohesive user journey, refining the details from initial entry to final product.

PROBLEM

Binghamton students need more accessibility to connect and collaborate academically with their peers on a single platform.

How can we create a structured platform that prioritizes students finding reliable study partners and groups, improving their study habits?

GOAL

Establish an ecosystem

We aim for platform retention and engagement, hoping to foster an environment that where students return daily to connect with their academic community.

Intuitive experience

To reduce cognitive overload, we are prioritizing clear information hierarchy and simplified navigation. By refining the user flow, we provide students with an easy experience that lets students focus on their studies.

IMPACT

Project in progress…

RESEARCH

We conducted interviews to assess what students are struggling with in their peer support.

Based on their responses, we concluded that students struggle to find people to study with in the same major.

From our gatherings, we developed three archetypes of our potential users to gain a better understanding of them.

We focused on what students are seeking for and how they can utilize the product they are given.

We were able to analyze indirect competitors that students are currently using on a daily basis.

Study Buddies combines all of these platforms to create a personalized student experience that allows users to connect to others within their field.

Our project was inspired by current popular platforms our students have been using.

Study Buddies will combine these applications to create a personal student experience that will allow users to connect with others in their field.

Competitors

Strengths

Weaknesses

High engagement

Dedicated niche platforms

Quick adoption and low-effort entry

High engagement

Dedicated niche platforms

Quick adoption and low-effort entry

Cognitive overload

Social vs. Academic friction

Lack of information hierarchy

Cognitive overload

Social vs. Academic friction

Lack of information hierarchy

PROCESS

Our team utilized the Crazy Eights framework. With the concepts we developed, we were able to pinpoint the features we favored more into lo-fi wireframes.

Findings

Better understanding of preferred icons
Compared different types of structure for the home page
Defined applications to take inspiration from

Our team utilized the Crazy Eights framework. With the concepts we developed, we were able to pinpoint the features we favored more into lo-fi wireframes.

Findings