European Study Solution

To get a better understanding of our users we had to conduct detailed research understand the environment they live in and observe their behaviors and habits

We proceeded with gathering data using qualitative user research where we conducted interviews using a closed question survey. For this we have created an interview guide with a categorization list, to set our target audience which in our case consisted of American students from 18-20 year-old or older, willing to study abroad and open to new cultures and experiences

We carried out this product by utilizing the Five Planes Method.

Strategy plane

We started with setting two key issues: what value should the website bring for the organization and what value it can bring for the user. Since the agency didn't have any website yet, it would be a core platform for them to attract potential customers, and for the users, it would be the main moderator between the agency and partner universities.

By answering these questions, it helped us to see that the website we will produce, will be more intended to use as an information website, with less functional specifications and more content requirements, hence spending more time on Information Architecture, to increase the content readability

Scope Plane

We defined what are the required content elements to meet the users' needs, both from the functional and content requirement side.

Structure Plane

After the requirements have been set, we got a clear picture of what will be included on the website. Besides adding new elements after meeting with our client, we revised the information architecture and created categories and navigational schemes that would allow users to move through the site content efficiently.

Skeleton Plane

In this phase, we have already experimented with the very first wireframe, identifying specific aspects of the interface like navigation, placing the buttons, blocks of text, etc. On the structure plane, we looked at the larger-scale issues of architecture and interactions. In this phase, our concerns exist at a smaller scale of individual components and their relationship.

As part of the skeleton phase, we have created the first design iterations - Wireframes. It gave us clear overview of the page structure and while represented the initial product concept, we kept styling, color, and graphics to the minimum.

We established the navigation bar where we included different page labels to emphasize the structure.

Besides, at the very beginning of the website, we had a similar vision of displaying a full-width picture or slide show gallery.

Since the landing page is what will catch the user's interest from the very second, therefore we made multiple different prototype, where we clarified what ESS is about and what service they provide, including the key points of their service.

We considered implementing a section where the reviews of the company would be shown. Our idea was to display these as a card element in accordance with the Gestalt Principles.

According to the footer design, we have tried to display the most important links from the website they should look for, if they missed it on the page, also the agency’s contact information.

Moving to the service page, the most convenient solution we came up with is a vertical sidebar on the left with variety of tabs. On the right side, we placed a container with information, which can be changed by using the tabs

We placed a page for the universities, where content and visuals play an important role, therefore it was our task to make it informative, while being easily readable. Since we have different universities' information, we tried to make the layout template that should suit all of them.

After making the structure of wireframes and elements that should be on the page, we reached the Surface Plane. Here we placed our attention to the sensory design to produce a finished design, where content, functionality and aesthetics came together.

Due to our target audience, making the website responsive was one of our highest priority. Consequently, we made prototypes for both tablet and mobile devices. This came with a responsive navigation via a hamburger menu.

After finishing our final design, or for our high-fidelity mockup, we started to code by using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

To validate our design, we conducted a five-second test to view and observe the first impressions of our users and a Think Aloud test to make sure our product serves its purpose as intended.

The test was successful and concluded that the concept is well founded.

Lastly, we improved the website using metadata and further optimization to generate online traffic, driven by search engines so it can be properly indexed and displayed within the search results.

To conclude our process, we have created a website for the start-up organization - European Study Solution, which will be the main platform for them to develop their business and keep in contact with students in the future. From the user perspective, ewe create the possibility to know more about the agency and engage them to use the agency's services.

Overall, we feel we have created a content-rich and functional product that the user can utilize and receive the information and assistance they require regarding their journey abroad