COMMUT
Branding - UX/UI
About
Commut is a digital solution designed to improve the daily experience of students who commute to campus. It addresses common challenges such as transportation delays, parking difficulties, and the sense of isolation that commuter students often feel. The app offers features like carpool matching, real-time parking updates, a study space locator, and tools to connect with study buddies or social groups. Additionally, it provides notifications about campus events and activities tailored to commuters. By streamlining logistics and fostering connections, the app helps commuters maximize their time on campus and feel more integrated into the campus community.
Initial Research
The initial research for the commuter app focused on understanding the challenges faced by students, particularly commuters, in navigating parking, shuttle services, and efficient campus access. A key finding from user interviews and surveys indicated that many students struggle with unpredictable parking availability, leading to late arrivals and frustration. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity around shuttle schedules, making it difficult for students to plan their journeys effectively. From this, we identified the need for a comprehensive, real-time solution that integrates parking, shuttle services, and commute time estimations in one seamless platform. The app's goal is to provide students with accurate, timely information to optimize their daily commutes, reduce stress, and improve overall campus experience.
From Concept to Low Fidelity Prototype
Low-Fidelity Prototype: Using the wireframes as a foundation, we developed a low-fidelity prototype. This was done using basic digital tools like Figma, where the focus was on the app's overall structure and usability rather than design details. This version of the prototype was used for initial user testing to gather feedback on the app’s functionality, navigation, and overall user experience.
Final Prototype
Takeaways
The development of the commuter app highlighted several key takeaways that will guide further improvements and iterations of the product. First, the importance of real-time data—particularly for parking availability and shuttle schedules—became clear. Commuter students need an app that provides accurate, up-to-date information to help them make informed decisions about their daily commute, reducing uncertainty and frustration. Additionally, user feedback emphasized the need for an intuitive and user-friendly interface. The simpler the navigation, the better the overall experience for students, especially when they're juggling multiple tasks or running late.
Another important takeaway is the value of integrating multiple services into one platform. By combining parking, shuttle services, and commute time estimations in a single app, we can offer a comprehensive solution that meets the diverse needs of commuter students. Furthermore, the user feedback during testing underscored the necessity of incorporating customizable features, such as notifications for shuttle arrivals and parking space availability, which can help students stay informed and make quicker, more efficient decisions.
Moving forward, these insights will inform the refinement of the app, particularly in enhancing the user interface and ensuring the seamless delivery of real-time information. The goal remains to create an app that reduces the stress and unpredictability of commuting, helping students navigate campus more efficiently.