Blooming Writers
Blooming Writers
Outcome
A multilingual network of creative writing peers who can provide timely and relevant asynchronous feedback.
A multilingual network of creative writing peers who can provide timely and relevant asynchronous feedback.
A multilingual network of creative writing peers who can provide timely and relevant asynchronous feedback.
Timeline
Lead UX Designer
Lead UX Designer
10 weeks
10 weeks
Tools
Tools
Process
[Research]
[Ideate]
[Prototype]
[Evaluate]
[Refine]
[Research]
[Ideate]
[Prototype]
[Evaluate]
[Refine]
Research
Starting my primary research, I sought to address the question:
"How can the University of Toronto [UofT] better support international students in accessing writing resources?"
To gain a deeper understanding of this problem space, I collected survey responses and conducted interviews. My primary focus entailed investigating how postsecondary international students navigate and utilize the writing resources available to them on campus.
Starting my primary research, I sought to address the question:
"How can the University of Toronto [UofT] better support international students in accessing writing resources?"
To gain a deeper understanding of this problem space, I collected survey responses and conducted interviews. My primary focus entailed investigating how postsecondary international students navigate and utilize the writing resources available to them on campus.
Starting my primary research, I sought to address the question:
"How can the University of Toronto [UofT] better support international students in accessing writing resources?"
To gain a deeper understanding of this problem space, I collected survey responses and conducted interviews. My primary focus entailed investigating how postsecondary international students navigate and utilize the writing resources available to them on campus.
Starting my primary research, I sought to address the question:
"How can the University of Toronto [UofT] better support international students in accessing writing resources?"
To gain a deeper understanding of this problem space, I collected survey responses and conducted interviews. My primary focus entailed investigating how postsecondary international students navigate and utilize the writing resources available to them on campus.
Survey Questions
Interview Questions
Do you find other writing resources more helpful than
the University of Toronto's writing centres?
Do you find other writing resources more helpful than the University of Toronto's writing centres?
Do you find other writing resources more helpful than the University of Toronto's writing centres?
What barriers or challenges have you faced when accessing the writing services at the university?
How often do you access on-campus writing centre services during the semester?
What was your personal experience like when you used the writing centre’s resources?
How likely are you to recommend the writing centre
to a friend or classmate?
How likely are you to recommend the writing centre to a friend or
classmate?
How likely are you to recommend the writing centre to a friend or classmate?
Can you describe any specific challenges you've faced when utilizing the writing center?
I received 16 responses to our online survey, created & distributed via Google forms. I discovered the following:
I received 16 responses to our online survey, created & distributed via Google forms. I discovered the following:
11 out of 16
reported preferring other writing
resources over the writing center.
11 out of 16
reported preferring other writing resources over the writing center.
11 out of 16
reported preferring other writing
resources over the
writing center.
11 out of 16
reported preferring other writing
resources over the writing center.
7 out of 16
indicated that they did not use the writing center often for their written assignments.
7 out of 16
indicated they did not use the writing centre often for their assignments.
7 out of 16
indicated that they did not use the writing center often for their written assignments.
8 out of 16
reported that they did not refer their
friends to the university’s writing center.
8 out of 16
reported that they did not refer their friends to
the university’s writing center.
8 out of 16
reported that they did not refer their friends to the
writing centre.
8 out of 16
reported that they did not refer their
friends to the university’s writing center.
“Friends were able to explain the different expressions in my language."
P3
“Hard to translate thoughts as English is my second language."
P3
“Spent too much time explaining paper's context.”
P4
"I can't predict my schedule months in advance"
P4
I interviewed 4 participants from our targeted demographic, and based off of their responses I identified 9 themes using an affinity diagram, a sense making tool for qualitative data.
“Friends were able to explain the different expressions in my language to English."
“Friends were able to explain the different expressions
in my language to English."
P3
“Hard to translate thoughts as English is my second language."
“Hard to translate thoughts as English is
my second language."
P3
“Spent too much time explaining paper's
context during our session.”
P4
"I can't predict my schedule months in
advance, it's impossible."
P4
“Spent too much time explaining paper's context during our session.”
“Spent too much time explaining paper's context during
our session.”
P4
"I can't predict my schedule months in advance, it's impossible."
"I can't predict my schedule months in advance,
it's impossible."
P4
Key Insights
Lack of support from postsecondary institutions.
Students are struggling to get appointments at the writing center and even when they do, they are having to spend the majority of the session explaining the context of their assignment to the tutor.
Students are struggling to get appointments at the writing centre and even when they do, they are having to spend the majority of the session explaining its context.
Students are struggling to get appointments at the writing center and even when they do, they are having to spend the majority of the session explaining the context of their assignment to the tutor.
Limited options resulted in turning to peers for support.
Limited options resulted in turning to peers.
Hence, students seek out peer support for their assignments as their peers share the same language and cultural context which makes their feedback more relevant.
Hence, students seek out peer support for their assignments as their peers share the same language and cultural context which makes their feedback more relevant.
Reframing Problem Space
Based on my primary research, I decided to narrow the scope of the initial problem space and widen the targeted demographic.
Based on my primary research, I decided to narrow the scope of the initial problem space and widen the targeted demographic.
How can we support English as an Additional Language (EAL) postsecondary students in pursuing their creative writing endeavors in written English?
How can we support English as an Additional Language (EAL) postsecondary students in pursuing their creative writing endeavors in written English?
Persona & Empathy Map
Bio
EAL international student at UofT. Often seen at poetry slams.
Bio
EAL international student at UofT. Often seen at poetry slams.
Needs
To articulate his creative thoughts from Spanish into written English.
Needs
To articulate his creative thoughts from Spanish into written English.
Obstacles
Unable to find relevant on-campus writing resources in Spanish.
Obstacles
Unable to find relevant on-campus writing resources in Spanish.
Desires
Master creative expression and figurative language in English.
Desires
Master creative expression and figurative language in English.
Says
“What are some examples of idioms in English?”
Says
“What are some examples of idioms in English?”
Does
Struggle to translate his Spanish poem into English.
Does
Struggle to translate his Spanish poem into English.
Thinks
“This writing tutor doesn’t understand me...”
Thinks
“This writing tutor doesn’t understand me...”
Feels
Disappointed, discouraged, lonely
Feels
Disappointed, discouraged, lonely
Lo-fi & Mid-fi Prototypes
A low-fidelity (lo-fi) prototype allowed me to quickly map out the structure and layout without visual distraction. Based on the first round of user testing, I then evolved it into a medium-fidelity (mid-fi) prototype to establish a clearer information hierarchy and incorporate basic interactivity for user testing.
A low-fidelity (lo-fi) prototype allowed me to quickly map out the structure and layout without visual distraction. Based on the first round of user testing, I then evolved it into a medium-fidelity (mid-fi) prototype to establish a clearer information hierarchy and incorporate basic interactivity for user testing.
Reaction to Onboarding Pathway
The onboarding pathway connects mentees with a group of mentors based on their responses. The following updates were implemented given the insights from my lean evaluation:
The onboarding pathway connects mentees with a group of mentors based on their responses. The following updates were implemented given the insights from my lean evaluation:
1
Participant one suggested translating the languages in English and the language of origin.
Participant one suggested translating the languages in English and the language of origin.
2
Participant two was confused by the progress bar so it was replaced with a scrolling row of indicators.
Participant two was confused by the progress bar so it was replaced with a scrolling row of indicators.
3
Participant 3 suggested removing the continue button as it felt redundant.
Participant 3 suggested removing the continue button as it felt redundant.
Reaction to Feedback Pathway
The feedback pathway presents the mentor's recommendations, allowing the mentee to accept, decline, or discuss each suggestion. The following updates were implemented given the insights from my lean evaluation:
The feedback pathway presents the mentor's recommendations, allowing the mentee to accept, decline, or discuss each suggestion. The following updates were implemented given the insights from my lean evaluation:
1
Participant one mentioned how it looked too crowded so we reorganized the information
Participant one mentioned how it looked too crowded so we reorganized the information
2
Participant 2 suggested showing the feedback in a pop-up window.
Participant 2 suggested showing the feedback in a pop-up window.
User Flow Map
User flow maps the steps users take to achieve their goals, ensuring intuitive navigation and meaningful interactions. Based on my prototypes, I created a user map wherein EAL students are able to enhance their creative writing skills through a community providing both asynchronous and synchronous collaboration.
Feed
Settings
Mentors
Documents
Engage with Content
Interact with Mentors
Access Documents
Personalize Settings
Blooming Writers Mobile App
Blooming Writers App
Take a look at my high-fidelity prototype of Blooming Writers! I made a few changes based on the evaluations conducted via my medium fidelity clickable prototype.
Take a look at my high-fidelity prototype of Blooming Writers! I made a few changes based on the evaluations conducted via our mid-fi prototype.
Take a look at my high-fidelity prototype of Blooming Writers! I made a few changes based on the evaluations conducted via my medium fidelity clickable prototype.
Lessons Learned
Research is essential as it's the starting point for bigger possibilities.
Research is essential as it's the starting point for bigger possibilities.
While neither my secondary nor primary research directly focused on creative writing, it provided crucial insights.
Through my research, I uncovered baseline pain points experienced by post-secondary students, which I then channeled into the creative writing process.
While neither our secondary nor primary research directly focused on creative writing, it provided crucial insights. Through our research, we uncovered baseline pain points experienced by post-secondary students, which we then channeled into the creative writing process.
While neither my secondary nor primary research directly focused on creative writing, it provided crucial insights.
Through my research, I uncovered baseline pain points experienced by post-secondary students, which I then channeled into the creative writing process.
There is no singular approach or definitive solution to a problem.
There is no singular approach or definitive solution to a problem.
Throughout the process, I had the privilege of presenting my work at various stages to my professor, teaching assistant, industry experts, team members, colleagues, and representative users. As a result, my final solution represents a thoughtful integration of diverse perspectives and insights.
Throughout the process, I had the privilege of presenting my work at various stages to my professor, teaching assistant, industry experts, team members, colleagues, and representative users. As a result, my final solution represents a thoughtful integration of diverse perspectives and insights.