StudySpotsTO

A mobile app prototype to discover and share the best study locations around campus

Role: UX Designer & Researcher

Timeline: May - July 2025 (12 weeks)

Tools: Figma, Notion, Google Forms, Nielsen Heuristics

UX Design
Mobile Design
Figma
Prototyping
Course Project

Course: CFPN535 Final Project, Toronto Metropolitan University

The Problem

Toronto students waste valuable study time wandering campus looking for quiet spaces with outlets and Wi-Fi. Between classes, they often arrive at cafés or libraries only to find them overcrowded or unsuitable. Generic tools like Google Maps don't provide study-specific filters (noise level, outlet availability, seating comfort), leaving students frustrated during peak exam periods.

How might we help students quickly find reliable study spaces that match their specific academic needs?

Research

Survey Insights (27 respondents)

Conducted user research across TMU, UofT, and other Toronto institutions:

  • 74% of students study outside home 3-4 times per week
  • 4.48/5 agreement: "I would benefit from filtering spots by Wi-Fi, plugs, and noise"
  • 4.00/5 agreement: "I find it difficult to locate good study spots on the go"

Top priorities when choosing study spaces:

  1. Outlet availability (avg. rank 2.4)
  2. Distance from campus (3.0)
  3. Seating comfort (3.4)
  4. Noise level (3.6)

Key insight: Students prioritize practical infrastructure over amenities. Wi-Fi ranked lower because it's assumed baseline—outlets and proximity matter most.

Personas

Created Emily Chen, a 21-year-old Commerce student with a 1-hour commute who studies in short blocks between classes. She needs fast, reliable information to maximize productivity during 35-minute gaps and values community contribution.

Design Process

Requirements Framework

Mapped user needs to functional requirements:

User NeedDesign Requirement
Find quiet spaces with outletsMulti-filter system (Wi-Fi, noise, outlets, seating)
Avoid wasting timeStudent-contributed reviews with photos and pros/cons
Access nearby optionsGPS-based discovery sorted by walking distance

Use Cases & Task Analysis

Defined three core scenarios:

  1. Between-class gap: 35-minute break, needs quick spot with outlets
  2. Early arrival: 1 hour before class, wants quiet prep space
  3. Group meeting: Last-minute collaboration, needs group seating

Broke down each task into subtasks with functional and non-functional requirements (e.g., "results load in <2 seconds," "WCAG 2.1 compliant").

Lo-Fi Prototyping

Created hand-drawn wireframes for:

  • Home view with category filters (University, Library, Café, Co-working)
  • Search modes (List vs. Map view toggle)
  • Filter panel (noise level, category, distance)
  • Spot detail view with ratings and reviews
  • Profile and saved spots

Platform pivot: Initially planned as mobile-optimized web app, shifted to fully native mobile based on feedback that students primarily use phones on campus.

Evaluation

Heuristic Analysis

Conducted peer and self-evaluation using Nielsen's heuristics:

Critical issues identified:

  • H1: Visibility of system status (Severity 2): No confirmation when filters applied or reviews submitted
  • H8: Visual hierarchy (Severity 3): Uniform text sizes made scanning difficult
  • H3: Navigation clarity (Severity 2): No active state indicator on bottom nav

Response to findings:

  • Added real-time filter confirmation tags
  • Introduced typography scale (headings vs. body)
  • Implemented active nav indicators
  • Surfaced key amenities (outlets, Wi-Fi, noise) on result cards using badges

Final Prototype

High-Fidelity Screens (Figma)

Built polished mobile interface with:

Core Features:

  1. Location-based discovery: GPS integration showing spots within 2km
  2. Detailed spot pages: Hours, accessibility info, user reviews, photo galleries
  3. Quick review submission: Star ratings, optional photos, confirmation messages
  4. Saved spots: Profile section for bookmarks and review history

Design System:

  • Clean visual hierarchy with Inter typeface
  • Blue accent colors for CTAs, gray scale for hierarchy
  • Touch-optimized 44px tap targets
  • Icon system for amenities (outlet, Wi-Fi, noise, seating)

MVP Scope Decisions

Removed features:

  • Live crowd reporting (requires large user base)
  • Gamification/leaderboards (added complexity)

Focused on: Curated, consistent user reviews that help students make informed decisions without relying on real-time data.

Outcomes & Learnings

Key Achievements

  • Created user-centered solution addressing real pain point validated by 27+ students
  • Applied full UX process: research → requirements → wireframes → evaluation → hi-fi prototype
  • Demonstrated mobile-first design with accessibility considerations

What I Learned

  • Scope management: Cutting features (crowd levels, gamification) strengthened the core MVP
  • Research drives design: Survey data directly shaped filter priorities (outlets > noise > hours)
  • Iteration matters: Heuristic evaluation revealed 5+ usability issues that dramatically improved final prototype

Next Steps

If developed further:

  • User testing with interactive prototype
  • Integration with City of Toronto Open Data for initial venue seeding
  • Partnership exploration with local cafés for student discounts