Mentoris

UI/UX Design – iOS Case Study – Thesis Project – May 2023

Client: Mentorship Services
Platform: Figma
Role: UI/UX Designer

Prototype
Process Book

Project Overview

As an immigrant, I’ve experienced the challenges of navigating higher education in a new country. For my thesis, I designed an app that connects students, especially immigrant students, with mentors who can guide them through their academic journey. Though initially designed for immigrant students, the app serves a broader audience, using modern design and technology to make mentorship more accessible and effective.

Project Goal

Increase student engagement, particularly among immigrant students, by helping them find the right mentors for academic and professional growth.

Persona

1st and 2nd generation immigrant college students

Usability research findings

I surveyed 16 CU Denver students; 74.5% identified as immigrants or children of immigrants. Key insights:

  1. 60% of mentees said mentorship positively impacted their education.
  2. Students face challenges in finding programs and scheduling meetings.
  3. Desired features:
  • 68.8% want a Mentor Match system
  • 56.3% want detailed Mentor Profiles
  • 43.7% want a Resources section
  • 75% prefer built-in messaging and video calls

Competitive Audit

Inspired by dating apps like Bumble and Hinge, I explored their matching algorithms and multilingual support. These insights helped shape features like interest-based matching and language options to enhance user connections.

User Flows

Sketches

Low-fi wireframes

Iterations

Mentor Match
Booking

Iterations: I started with paper sketches, then created low-fidelity wireframes in Figma. Early testing informed layout decisions and saved time before moving to high-fidelity prototypes.

Key Iterations

  • Incorporated a language selection option for accessibility
  • Refined the Mentor Match screen through user feedback
  • Improved booking features and interface consistency

Individual screen designs

Final Design: After 90% completion, I conducted another round of testing. Users found the app intuitive and professional. Final tweaks included consistent typography, button coherence, and improved color contrast.

Prototype demo

Retrospective

What Went Well: Early research and expert guidance streamlined the process and led to a well-received design.
Areas for Improvement: I aim to conduct in-person interviews, gather more diverse feedback, and professionally translate the app into multiple languages to serve a wider audience.

Sources and citations

Air Force, Space Force, observe National Mentoring Month in January. (2022, January 5). Air Force Sustainment Center. https://www.afsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2890686/air-force-space-force-observe-national-mentoring-month-in-january/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afsc.af.mil%2FNews%2FArticle%2F2890686%2Fair-force-space-force-observe-national-mentoring-month-in-january%2F

Bureau, U. C. (n.d.). Random Samplings: Immigrant Families and Educational Attainment. The United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2017/03/immigrant_familiesa.html

Immigrants are both more likely to lack a high school degree and more likely to have a PhD. | The Hamilton Project. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.hamiltonproject.org/charts/immigrants_are_both_more_likely_to_lack_a_high_school_degree_and_more_likel

Mentoring Statistics in 2022: Everything You Need to Know. (n.d.). PushFar. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.pushfar.com/article/mentoring-statistics-everything-you-need-to-know/

National Data on Immigrant Students | Higher Ed Immigration Portal. (2023, January 26). Presidents’ Alliance. https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/national/national-data/

University of Colorado Denver Diversity & Student Demographics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/colorado/university-of-colorado-denver/students/

University of Colorado Denver Number of Employees, Statistics, Diversity, Demographics, and Facts—Zippia. (2022, March 25). https://www.zippia.com/university-of-colorado-denver-careers-1417544/demographics/

Virtual Mentoring Portals. (n.d.). MENTOR. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.mentoring.org/virtual-mentoring-portals/