The Problem
Parents moving to Portugal often face significant challenges when researching and selecting the ideal international school for their children. The lack of consolidated and easily accessible information in one platform complicates the decision-making process, particularly when it comes to finding specific curricula, languages of instruction, and extracurricular programs that meet their children’s needs.
The Goal
The project’s goal is to develop a UX solution that provides parents with a centralized, easy-to-use platform for researching, comparing, and making informed decisions about international schools in Portugal. The aim is to ensure that the International School Guide of Portugal app delivers an intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable user experience, making the school selection process easier and more effective.
User Research
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by parents who are relocating or planning to move to Portugal, a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods will be employed. These will include:
Interviews
One-on-one interviews with parents who are either in the process of moving or have recently moved to Portugal.
Surveys
Online surveys to gather quantitative data on parents’ preferences and challenges in choosing international schools.
Analysis data
Analysis of demographic data and existing studies on families relocating to Portugal.
User Insights
Based on the research conducted so far, it has been observed that parents who are relocating or planning to move to Portugal face difficulties in finding comprehensive and reliable information about international schools in various regions of the country. They are seeking a solution that simplifies their research, allows for comparison, and enables them to make informed decisions about schools, taking into account aspects such as curricula, language of instruction, and extracurricular programs.
Need for Comprehensive Information
Parents struggle to find complete and reliable information about international schools in Portugal.
Desire for Simplified Search
There is a demand for a solution that simplifies the school search process.
Importance of Comparison
Parents value the ability to compare schools based on criteria like curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Informed Decision-Making
Parents want to make well-informed decisions to ensure their children have the best educational experience possible.
Persona
Journey Map
I mapped out the user journey to get a better idea of how they would use and interact with the app. The main goal was to include all the relevant steps in the user journey and record some of the most typical feelings and problems they might encounter along the steps.
Wireframe
The wireframe was designer to outline the basic structure of the app and define the information hierarchy. It served as a visual guide for the final design development, focusing on usability and the organization of key functions like advanced search and school comparison.
User Testing
As always, I conducted user testing with several participants before finalizing my designs with high-fidelity mockups. After gathering various insights from users, the following changes were made and displayed below.
1. Added search field and filters
Incorporated search field and filters to enhance user accessibility. This allows users to filter schools by their preferences. Such as “curriculum, region, language and fees”.
2. Fixed map button
The first projects allowed you to navigate to the map page via the menu. After the usability study, I added a prominent fixed button on the home page for quicker access to the maps.
3. Visible contact buttons
To facilitate decision making, contact buttons have been added at the top and a fixed button at the bottom of each screen on school details.
Style Guide
To ensure a cohesive visual experience, a Style Guide was created to define the branding guidelines for the app, including color palettes, typography, iconography, and imagery. This guide was developed to establish a consistent and intuitive visual language that reinforces the app's usability and identity.
Prototype
The final prototype was developed in Figma, showcasing the complete interface and interactive elements of the app. It serves as a realistic representation of the final product, allowing stakeholders to experience the look and feel of the app before moving into development.
What I Learned and Project Impact
This project reinforced the importance of detailed user research and continuous design iterations. Through prototyping and usability testing, I learned how to balance aesthetics with functionality to ensure a user experience that is both enjoyable and practical. The impact of this study resulted in an app that not only meets the needs of parents searching for international schools but also facilitates a smoother transition for their children, increasing user satisfaction and confidence in their educational choices.
