UNIVIBE

micro-community assistant designed to enhance dorm life
by improving communication, resource sharing, and activity coordination

Scroll to Discover
90%
Technology Reliance
100%
Communication Challenges
7 Weeks
Project Duration
Role
Designer, Co-Researcher, Information Architect
Timeline
7 Weeks

The Problem

How might we help college students feel and stay connected with their dorm community?

Through qualitative interviews, we researchers sought to uncover patterns, identify underlying motivations, and generate rich insights to inform the design and development of potential solutions to address the needs and concerns of dorm residents.

100% of participants mentioned difficulties in communication and community building, and 80% found organized dorm activities ineffective in creating meaningful connections.

The Process

Discover

Qualitative Research

Through these qualitative interviews, we researchers sought to uncover patterns, identify underlying motivations, and generate rich insights to inform the design and development of potential solutions to address the needs and concerns of dorm residents.

Technology Usage & Preferences

Technology plays a crucial role in the daily lives.

90%

Primarily use texting and messaging apps for communication.

60%

Prefer visual communication platforms.

40%

Concern about privacy and data security online.

80%

AI Usage & Perception

Have used AI tools.

40%

Concerns about the over-reliance on AI.

60%

Concerns about AI's potential impact on privacy and ethical use.

60%

Dorm Life and Community Building

Highlight challenges with communication and community building in dorms.

100%

Organized dorm activities are not effective in fostering strong connections.

80%

Suggest implementing an online platform.

60%

App Preferences and Suggestions

Prefer apps that are user-friendly and simple to navigate.

60%

Desire an app that combines visual communication features with functional tools.

40%

Need for an app that could help connect with other residents based on common interests.

20%

Define

User Personas

The Connector

A university student who thrives on social interactions and community building. Growing up in a tight-knit community, they value the sense of belonging and work tirelessly to recreate this environment in their dorm. They live in a dorm with multiple levels and have a wide circle of friends from different parts of the university.

Thinking Style:

Social Thinker

"I love organizing spontaneous get-togethers, like movie nights or game nights in the common room!"

The Tech-Savvy Privacy Advocate

A university student who is passionate about technology and privacy. They rely heavily on digital tools for maintaining connections and productivity but are deeply concerned about data security and privacy. User lives in a dorm and often feels disconnected due to ineffective communication about events and activities.

Thinking Style:

Analytical and Critical Thinker

"I'm always connected, whether it's for classes, keeping up with friends, or just unwinding with a new app. But it's frustrating how the dorm events are communicated."

Ideate

User Flows & Scenarios

The following scenarios were designed to optimize user flow and shape the interaction design, illustrating how users could effectively find solutions using our application.

Design

Design System & Prototype

After conducting thorough research and analysis, as well as breaking down the application's architecture based on user flows derived from our personas in their scenarios, I developed a comprehensive design system. This system included components, typography, and a thoughtfully curated color palette. The typography adhered to Apple App Store design standards, utilizing the SF Pro typeface with size constraints and a focus on visual hierarchy to enhance readability. The color palette was crafted to reflect the vibrant and dynamic spirit of campus and dorm life, incorporating warm academic tones to evoke positivity and foster a sense of community and connection within the campus environment.

Color Styles

Coral #FF6B6B

Mint #9AECDB

Warm Yellow #FFD93D

Lavender #A29BFE

Peach #FFB6B9

Soft Blue #6EC1E4

Headline

We use just SF Pro from Apple, download it here

NameFont SizeLine-HeightWeight
Headline40pt48pt700
Large Title34pt41pt700
Headline 228pt34pt700
Headline 3 Bold22pt28pt700
Headline 3 Regular22pt28pt500

Body

For buttons and regular texts

NameFont SizeLine-HeightWeight
Body 19 Semibold19pt24pt600
Body 19 Regular19pt24pt400
Body 17 Semibold17pt22pt600
Body 17 Regular17pt22pt400
Body 15 Semibold15pt20pt600
Body 15 Regular15pt20pt400

Tabbar

We use this font for name of tabs

NameFont SizeLine-HeightWeight
Tabbar 1010pt12pt500

Tagline

For tags with uppercase style

NameFont SizeLine-HeightWeight
TAGLINE 1515PT20PT600
TAGLINE 1313PT18PT600
TAGLINE 1111PT13PT600
TAGLINE 1010PT13PT600

Caption

For small descriptions, counters, badges

NameFont SizeLine-HeightWeight
Body 13 Semibold13pt18pt600
Body 13 Regular13pt18pt400
Caption 11 Semibold11pt13pt600
Body 11 Regular11pt13pt400

User Testing

For our usability testing, we focused on understanding how easily users could navigate the app, find important information, and view events. We also wanted to see how simple it was for users to create an event, whether they chose to do it on their own or with help from the AI. Lastly, we explored how effectively users could get support in tricky situations, relying on the app's AI assistance. To get real feedback, we worked with four participants who had experience living in university dorms.

Results

While users found the overall interface easy to use, important features like contacting an RA or creating an event were not easy to spot and often got overlooked. There were also issues with the layout, as some buttons were placed in confusing spots, and navigating between tabs felt awkward for a few users. When it came to creating and managing events, the experience was mixed—some users found it simple, while others felt it was unnecessarily complicated.

The Solution

By integrating AI features with a user-friendly interface and robust privacy protections, this product seeks to foster a sense of belonging among students, making it easier for them to balance their academic responsibilities with an active and fulfilling social life.

The design process for Univibe began with an in-depth discovery phase, including desk research to analyze both direct and indirect competitors. This research identified key factors and helped define the core purpose of the product—addressing the lack of an integrated hub for campus and dormitory communication.

Insights gathered during this phase informed the development of solutions conceptualized through various fidelity prototypes. Interaction design strategies were carefully crafted, and extensive product testing was conducted to refine the user experience. The iterative process culminated in delivering a polished final product that effectively meets the needs of its target audience.

Retrospective

What would I do differently?

This project provided valuable insights that will shape how we approach future designs. First and foremost, user-centric design proved to be essential. By grounding our process in personas and user scenarios, we could focus on real needs and deliver solutions that matter. Privacy and security emerged as non-negotiable priorities, particularly regarding data protection and AI integration. Another crucial takeaway was making key features easy to find—users should never have to search menus for important information. Usability testing was a game-changer, reinforcing the need to continuously refine and expand features while keeping accessibility and privacy top of mind. Lastly, fostering community engagement is vital, strengthening the overall user experience and building lasting connections. These lessons will guide us as we create more thoughtful, inclusive, and user-friendly designs in the future.

Technical Constraints

Technical constraints during the development process included limitations in AI integration capabilities, privacy compliance requirements, and the need to balance feature richness with performance optimization. The design system needed to accommodate various device types while maintaining consistency, and user testing revealed the importance of iterative refinement to address navigation and usability concerns.