Redesign project · 2023
123 UNI helps students apply to universities abroad. The original app left people unsure what it was for and lost in the application steps. The redesign gives it a clear purpose from the first screen and a guided path through an application.
01The starting point
An app meant to make studying abroad more accessible was itself hard to understand and hard to use.
123 UNI is a mobile app that helps students through the process of applying to universities abroad. Its goal is to streamline the application process and make higher education more accessible worldwide.
The initial design had significant usability problems that got in the way of people understanding the app and staying with it. Four of them drove the redesign.
02Who it is for
Undergraduate student, Kandy · 23
Studying for a bachelor's in computer science. Highly comfortable with apps and technology for education and personal organisation.
High-school teacher, Colombo · 47
Holds a master's in education. Moderately comfortable with technology: uses it for work and keeps up with the essential apps for his children's education.
03The redesign
Each problem in the previous design, and what the redesign does about it.
People were unsure what the app was for from the first moment, which caused confusion at the outset.
A short series of onboarding screens states the app's value and walks new users through its features.
With no guidance on the steps, applying felt daunting and unclear.
The flow became a step-by-step guide, each step laid out with what to do next. Progress indicators and checklists show how far along you are, which reduces the feeling of being lost and adds a sense of achievement.
Critical information was not readily available and not intuitive to find.
The structure was reworked so requirements, deadlines and programme information are prominent. Search gained filters and quick categories, and information is presented plainly.
The original app did not hold on to people: little engaging content and no clear guidance.
The home screen now features universities and top programmes. Notifications flag important dates, and a Favourites list lets people save and return to the universities and programmes they care about.
04The work
05The work
