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Doorstep service case study

Scholarship app case study

Scholarship App

Scholarship App

Sector

Education, CSR, Scholarship

My Role

Entire product design, UX Research, UX Design, UI Design, Prototyping

Tools

Figma, Figjam, Illustrator

Project Name

Scholarshipiont: Bridging Students and Corporate CSR Initiatives

Project Duration

2 months

Overview

Scholarshipiont is a platform designed to empower students by connecting them with corporate-sponsored scholarships. By aligning the educational aspirations of talented students with companies’ CSR initiatives, the app fosters a mutually beneficial ecosystem of learning, support, and social impact.

Purpose of the App

Scholarshipiont simplifies the scholarship application process, making it accessible and efficient for students. Simultaneously, it provides companies with a streamlined way to manage and promote their CSR programs, ensuring their contributions make a tangible difference. Scholarshipiont creates a bridge where students can dream bigger, and companies can make those dreams a reality—one scholarship at a time.

Problem Statement

For Students: Students encounter significant barriers in accessing scholarships that could support their educational aspirations. These challenges include

Lack of Transparency: Difficulty tracking application statuses, leading to uncertainty and frustration.

Overwhelming Options: Struggling to identify scholarships relevant to their field of study amidst a sea of opportunities.

Repetitive Processes: The tedious and time-consuming task of filling out similar forms for every new application.

Repetitive Processes: The tedious and time-consuming task of filling out similar forms for every new application.

For Companies: Corporations aiming to make an impact through CSR initiatives face obstacles such as

Identifying Talent: Difficulty in finding the right candidates who align with their scholarship criteria.

Program Visibility: Challenges in promoting their scholarship programs effectively to the target audience.

Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring a fair and efficient selection process, especially when partnering with external organizations for program administration.

Resource Constraints: Limited resources to manage and track the effectiveness of their scholarship programs.

Design Process

Meeting With Stakeholders

Secondary Research

Primary Research

Building Personas

Solutions

User Flow/ IA

Low Fidelity wireframes

Building Design System

High Fidelity Wireframes

Prototyping

User Testing

Stakeholder Meeting Overview

At the onset of the UX design process, I conducted an in-depth meeting with the project stakeholders to align on the vision, objectives, and expectations for the scholarship app. During this session:

Understanding Goals: Stakeholders outlined their primary goals of bridging the gap between talented students and CSR-driven companies, ensuring a seamless experience for both parties.

Defining Success: We discussed success metrics, such as increased application submissions, improved scholarship visibility, and enhanced user satisfaction.

Exploring Challenges: Stakeholders shared the pain points faced by students (e.g., lack of transparency, repetitive processes) and companies (e.g., difficulty identifying talent, resource constraints).

Clarifying the Vision: The stakeholders emphasized their desire for a user-centric platform that simplifies scholarship applications while enhancing accountability and transparency for companies.

Establishing Collaboration: We defined clear roles and expectations for the design and development process, ensuring continuous feedback loops to align the product with stakeholder objectives.

At the onset of the UX design process, I conducted an in-depth meeting with the project stakeholders to align on the vision, objectives, and expectations for the scholarship app.

Secondary Research Overview

To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges companies face in implementing CSR-based scholarship programs, I conducted comprehensive secondary research using a variety of credible sources, including academic journals, industry reports, news articles, and case studies.

Research Focus: The study aimed to uncover key pain points such as program implementation barriers, candidate selection difficulties, and transparency concerns.

Search Strategy: Keywords like “CSR scholarships,” “corporate social responsibility in education,” “scholarship program challenges,” and “education funding initiatives” guided the research process.

Source Evaluation: Each source was critically assessed for relevance, credibility, and reliability to ensure the insights were actionable and aligned with industry standards.

Key Findings: The research highlighted common challenges, including a lack of awareness among students, inefficient candidate evaluation processes, and accountability issues in collaborative programs.

This research formed a solid foundation for identifying user needs and aligning the design approach with both student and corporate requirements, ensuring a user-centric solution.

Goals for Secondary Research:

Understand the Project Context

Identify Potential Opportunities

Analyse Competitor Landscape

Assess Stakeholder Needs

The data is sourced from Government of India Ministry of Corporate affairs. https://www.csr.gov.in/

General Circular №14 /2021

CSR expenditure on education in FY 2020-2021.

Key Findings from Secondary Research

Student Challenges: Difficulty in finding relevant scholarships, lack of application transparency, and repetitive processes.

Company Challenges: Struggles in identifying candidates, promoting programs, and ensuring transparency in collaborations.

Competitor Gaps: Existing platforms lack user-friendly features and fail to bridge the gap between student and company needs.

Opportunities: Centralised platforms with automated matching, reusable templates, and real-time updates can enhance user experience.

Best Practices: Personalization, data-driven insights, and mobile-first designs improve accessibility and engagement.

Competitor Analysis

We identified two primary competitors in the Indian market

Key Findings from Secondary Research

Buddy4Study

Scholify Me (App and website were unavailable during research)

Buddy4Study “Buddy4Study stands as India’s premier scholarship platform, offering a centralised hub for users to access comprehensive details about scholarships from both governmental and private sector entities.

Strengths:

Established brand with a strong reputation.

Comprehensive scholarship database covering government and private programs.

Large and engaged user base.

Chatbot for addressing student queries efficiently.

Weaknesses:

External redirection required to complete some scholarship applications.

Repetitive form-filling process for each application.

Lack of transparency in application status, creating uncertainty for users.

Cluttered interface with excessive features and information, overwhelming users.

Limited personalisation; users must manually search for scholarships that match their interests.

Primary Research

Having thoroughly analysed our competitors, we now possess a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent challenges faced by students. Consequently, we have chosen not to conduct primary research on the students’ side.

Based on secondary research, we lack a clear understanding of the challenges faced by CSR companies. Therefore, we’ve opted for primary research in the form of user interviews to gather insights directly from the source.

User interviews

We conducted user interviews with 8 professionals from various companies’ who works in CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibility ) departments. These interviews were arranged by reaching out to them via LinkedIn and subsequently scheduling meetings on Google Meet.

Key insights from user interview

Through the user interviews, we gained insights into the challenges that companies encounter when implementing CSR-based scholarship programs

insights from user interview

User persona

Having thoroughly analysed our competitors, we now possess a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent challenges faced by students. Consequently, we have chosen not to conduct primary research on the students’ side.

Based on secondary research, we lack a clear understanding of the challenges faced by CSR companies. Therefore, we’ve opted for primary research in the form of user interviews to gather insights directly from the source.

Persona 1 — CSR Companies

Persona 1 — CSR Companies

Solution Based on Secondary and Primary Research

By synthesising insights from both secondary and primary research, we propose a dual-platform solution tailored to meet the distinct needs of CSR companies and students.

For CSR Companies:

We propose a web-based platform that empowers CSR companies to efficiently manage their scholarship programs:

Streamlined Scholarship Posting: Companies can post detailed scholarship opportunities with clear eligibility criteria and timelines.

Advanced Candidate Matching: A comprehensive database of student profiles, including academic backgrounds, skills, and interests, enables companies to identify the most suitable candidates quickly and effectively.

Progress Tracking: Companies can monitor student applications throughout the process, gaining valuable insights into their selection pipelines.

Built-in Reporting Tools: Automated reporting and monitoring features ensure transparency and accountability in program administration, fostering trust among stakeholders.

Impact Measurement: Tools to track the success and outcomes of scholarships, helping companies measure their CSR impact.

For Students

We propose a mobile app that simplifies the scholarship application process for students:

Unified Profile Management: Students can create a single, reusable profile to store all necessary application information, saving time and effort.

Personalised Scholarship Matching: AI-driven algorithms recommend scholarships tailored to students' academic fields and interests.

Guided Application Process: Step-by-step guidance ensures students complete applications accurately and efficiently.

Centralized Dashboard: A user-friendly interface to manage multiple applications in one place, enhancing organization and reducing confusion.

The following design process focuses solely on the app’s (Student side) design, as I was primarily involved in the app’s development and design.

User flow/ Information Architecture (IA)

Building on the insights gained from the student persona, I designed a user flow that maps out the key steps and interactions a student would take to navigate the app. This ensures a seamless and intuitive experience, aligning with their goals and needs throughout the scholarship application process.

Check out user flow on Figjam

Medium Fidelity Wireframes

Meeting with Stakeholders

Following the creation of the medium-fidelity wireframe prototype, we conducted a meeting with stakeholders to showcase our progress and gather their valuable feedback. This collaborative session was crucial for aligning the design with project objectives, addressing any concerns, and ensuring the final solution effectively meets user and business needs.

Building style guide

High Fidelity Wireframes

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to explore my case study. I deeply value your feedback, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping my journey as a designer. Your insights will inspire me to refine my skills and create even more impactful designs.

This project has been a transformative experience, teaching me that design is not just about aesthetics but about solving real problems and creating meaningful user experiences. It reinforced the importance of empathy, collaboration, and innovation in the design process.

I am excited to carry these lessons forward, striving to craft solutions that are not only functional but also resonate with users and make a positive impact.

If there was more time available…

I would have conducted more extensive user testing with both students and CSR companies to gather deeper insights into their needs and challenges. Additionally, I would have refined the app’s features based on user feedback, ensuring a more seamless and intuitive experience.

Further time would also allow for exploring advanced functionalities, such as AI-driven scholarship recommendations for students and detailed analytics dashboards for CSR companies to track the impact of their programs. Finally, I would have expanded the scope to include partnerships with educational institutions to amplify the app's reach and impact.

Learnings

User-Centered Design: The importance of understanding the specific needs of students and scholarship providers to create an intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly experience. Tailoring the design to meet the needs of both groups was crucial in ensuring that the app serves its purpose effectively.

Complex Data Management: Managing and presenting large amounts of scholarship data in a way that doesn't overwhelm users. It was important to structure the data with filters, categories, and search functionalities that make it easy for students to find relevant opportunities.

Mobile-First Design: Given the target audience of students, a mobile-first approach was essential. Ensuring that the app was optimized for different screen sizes and responsive was a key learning in making the platform accessible across devices.

Accessibility: Ensuring that the app was accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This involved learning about color contrast, font size adjustments, and ensuring compatibility with screen readers.

Accessibility: Ensuring that the app was accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This involved learning about color contrast, font size adjustments, and ensuring compatibility with screen readers.

Challenges Solved

Streamlining the Application Process: One of the main challenges was simplifying the scholarship application process. By creating a step-by-step guide and reducing unnecessary form fields, the app became more user-friendly and less intimidating for students applying for multiple scholarships.

Ensuring Data Accuracy and Integrity: Maintaining up-to-date and accurate scholarship information was a major challenge. A solution was to integrate automated data updates or partnerships with scholarship providers to ensure the app's data remained reliable.

Improving User Engagement: Students often forget deadlines or miss opportunities. To solve this, the app integrated reminders, notifications, and personalised scholarship suggestions based on user profiles, increasing engagement and application rates.

Designing for Diverse User Needs: The app had to cater to a wide range of students with varying levels of digital literacy. Simplifying navigation and using clear, concise language helped overcome this challenge and made the app accessible to a broader audience.

Optimising for Speed and Performance: With large amounts of data being processed, ensuring the app was fast and responsive was a challenge. Solutions included optimising images, using caching mechanisms, and ensuring that the app performed well even with slow internet connections.

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Scholarship App

Sector

Education, CSR, Scholarship

My Role

Entire product design, UX Research, UX Design, UI Design, Prototyping

Tools

Figma, Figjam, Illustrator

Project Name

Scholarshipiont: Bridging Students and Corporate CSR Initiatives

Project Duration

2 months

Overview

Purpose of the App

Problem Statement

For Students: Students encounter significant barriers in accessing scholarships that could support their educational aspirations. These challenges include

Lack of Transparency: Difficulty tracking application statuses, leading to uncertainty and frustration.

Overwhelming Options: Struggling to identify scholarships relevant to their field of study amidst a sea of opportunities.

Repetitive Processes: The tedious and time-consuming task of filling out similar forms for every new application.

Repetitive Processes: The tedious and time-consuming task of filling out similar forms for every new application.

For Companies: Corporations aiming to make an impact through CSR initiatives face obstacles such as

Identifying Talent: Difficulty in finding the right candidates who align with their scholarship criteria.

Program Visibility: Challenges in promoting their scholarship programs effectively to the target audience.

Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring a fair and efficient selection process, especially when partnering with external organizations for program administration.

Resource Constraints: Limited resources to manage and track the effectiveness of their scholarship programs.

Design Process

Stakeholder Meeting Overview

At the onset of the UX design process, I conducted an in-depth meeting with the project stakeholders to align on the vision, objectives, and expectations for the scholarship app. During this session:

Understanding Goals: Stakeholders outlined their primary goals of bridging the gap between talented students and CSR-driven companies, ensuring a seamless experience for both parties.

Defining Success: We discussed success metrics, such as increased application submissions, improved scholarship visibility, and enhanced user satisfaction.

Exploring Challenges: Stakeholders shared the pain points faced by students (e.g., lack of transparency, repetitive processes) and companies (e.g., difficulty identifying talent, resource constraints).

Clarifying the Vision: The stakeholders emphasized their desire for a user-centric platform that simplifies scholarship applications while enhancing accountability and transparency for companies.

Establishing Collaboration: We defined clear roles and expectations for the design and development process, ensuring continuous feedback loops to align the product with stakeholder objectives.

At the onset of the UX design process, I conducted an in-depth meeting with the project stakeholders to align on the vision, objectives, and expectations for the scholarship app.

Secondary Research Overview

To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges companies face in implementing CSR-based scholarship programs, I conducted comprehensive secondary research using a variety of credible sources, including academic journals, industry reports, news articles, and case studies.

Research Focus: The study aimed to uncover key pain points such as program implementation barriers, candidate selection difficulties, and transparency concerns.

Search Strategy: Keywords like “CSR scholarships,” “corporate social responsibility in education,” “scholarship program challenges,” and “education funding initiatives” guided the research process.

Source Evaluation: Each source was critically assessed for relevance, credibility, and reliability to ensure the insights were actionable and aligned with industry standards.

Key Findings: The research highlighted common challenges, including a lack of awareness among students, inefficient candidate evaluation processes, and accountability issues in collaborative programs.

This research formed a solid foundation for identifying user needs and aligning the design approach with both student and corporate requirements, ensuring a user-centric solution.

Goals for Secondary Research:

Understand the Project Context

Identify Potential Opportunities

Analyse Competitor Landscape

Assess Stakeholder Needs

Key Findings from Secondary Research

Student Challenges: Difficulty in finding relevant scholarships, lack of application transparency, and repetitive processes.

Company Challenges: Struggles in identifying candidates, promoting programs, and ensuring transparency in collaborations.

Competitor Gaps: Existing platforms lack user-friendly features and fail to bridge the gap between student and company needs.

Opportunities: Centralised platforms with automated matching, reusable templates, and real-time updates can enhance user experience.

Best Practices: Personalization, data-driven insights, and mobile-first designs improve accessibility and engagement.

Competitor Analysis

We identified two primary competitors in the Indian market

Key Findings from Secondary Research

Buddy4Study

Scholify Me (App and website were unavailable during research)

Buddy4Study “Buddy4Study stands as India’s premier scholarship platform, offering a centralised hub for users to access comprehensive details about scholarships from both governmental and private sector entities.

Strengths:

Established brand with a strong reputation.

Comprehensive scholarship database covering government and private programs.

Large and engaged user base.

Chatbot for addressing student queries efficiently.

Weaknesses:

External redirection required to complete some scholarship applications.

Repetitive form-filling process for each application.

Lack of transparency in application status, creating uncertainty for users.

Cluttered interface with excessive features and information, overwhelming users.

Limited personalisation; users must manually search for scholarships that match their interests.

Primary Research

Having thoroughly analysed our competitors, we now possess a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent challenges faced by students. Consequently, we have chosen not to conduct primary research on the students’ side.

Based on secondary research, we lack a clear understanding of the challenges faced by CSR companies. Therefore, we’ve opted for primary research in the form of user interviews to gather insights directly from the source.

User interviews

We conducted user interviews with 8 professionals from various companies’ who works in CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibility ) departments. These interviews were arranged by reaching out to them via LinkedIn and subsequently scheduling meetings on Google Meet.

Key insights from user interview

Through the user interviews, we gained insights into the challenges that companies encounter when implementing CSR-based scholarship programs

User persona

Having thoroughly analysed our competitors, we now possess a comprehensive understanding of the prevalent challenges faced by students. Consequently, we have chosen not to conduct primary research on the students’ side.

Based on secondary research, we lack a clear understanding of the challenges faced by CSR companies. Therefore, we’ve opted for primary research in the form of user interviews to gather insights directly from the source.

Solution Based on Secondary and Primary Research

By synthesising insights from both secondary and primary research, we propose a dual-platform solution tailored to meet the distinct needs of CSR companies and students.