UniMatch: Designing a University Course Search Tool

Developing a tool that students can use to search and find university courses

Role

Lead Designer

Industry

Education & Online Community

Year

2015

Reflections

For this project, usability testing was conducted to gather feedback on the design. While I don’t have all the specifics to include in this case study, the insights from the testing were incredibly valuable in guiding design improvements. The process helped highlight key pain points and areas for refinement.

Since then, my approach to usability testing has become more structured, and I now incorporate more detailed and frequent testing to ensure a deeper understanding of the user experience. This project was a key learning opportunity and laid the foundation for my ongoing development as a designer.

Reflections

For this project, usability testing was conducted to gather feedback on the design. While I don’t have all the specifics to include in this case study, the insights from the testing were incredibly valuable in guiding design improvements. The process helped highlight key pain points and areas for refinement.

Since then, my approach to usability testing has become more structured, and I now incorporate more detailed and frequent testing to ensure a deeper understanding of the user experience. This project was a key learning opportunity and laid the foundation for my ongoing development as a designer.

UniMatch is a tool that students can use to search and find university courses that would be suitable for them. They can find, research, compare and favourite courses.

Students often struggle to find reliable and relevant information about university courses beyond basic descriptions. Existing course search tools lacked real student insights and the ability to communicate directly with current students. UniMatch was created to solve this by providing students with not only a robust course search and comparison function but also authentic peer reviews and real-time student engagement. This project aimed to offer students a tool that could help them search, research, compare, and favourite courses, all while engaging with real student reviews.


The problem

After conducting market research and competitor analysis, we found that while there were other university course search and comparison tools, none offered students the ability to read real reviews by students and engage in conversations with them.

We saw an opportunity to create a tool that not only allowed students to find and compare courses but also gave them the chance to get firsthand feedback from other students, creating a more meaningful and authentic experience.

 

The Challenge

This project involved several stakeholders from different areas of the company, each with their own strong opinions about certain features of the tool.

At the start of the project, I led workshops for each of the pages to define both the business and user requirements. These sessions helped clarify what was needed for a successful tool that could provide value to students. The team already had a solid understanding of students' needs, and we used this knowledge to inform and shape the layout decisions for the user experience.

UniMatch is a tool that students can use to search and find university courses that would be suitable for them. They can find, research, compare and favourite courses.

Students often struggle to find reliable and relevant information about university courses beyond basic descriptions. Existing course search tools lacked real student insights and the ability to communicate directly with current students. UniMatch was created to solve this by providing students with not only a robust course search and comparison function but also authentic peer reviews and real-time student engagement. This project aimed to offer students a tool that could help them search, research, compare, and favourite courses, all while engaging with real student reviews.


The problem

After conducting market research and competitor analysis, we found that while there were other university course search and comparison tools, none offered students the ability to read real reviews by students and engage in conversations with them.

We saw an opportunity to create a tool that not only allowed students to find and compare courses but also gave them the chance to get firsthand feedback from other students, creating a more meaningful and authentic experience.

 

The Challenge

This project involved several stakeholders from different areas of the company, each with their own strong opinions about certain features of the tool.

At the start of the project, I led workshops for each of the pages to define both the business and user requirements. These sessions helped clarify what was needed for a successful tool that could provide value to students. The team already had a solid understanding of students' needs, and we used this knowledge to inform and shape the layout decisions for the user experience.

The Process

Workshops

In the workshops, we mapped out the user journey step-by-step, defining the purpose of each page and the elements required for each. The pages included a search page, results page, course page, and saved courses page.

We started by using a whiteboard to map out the different elements identified during the sessions, focusing on the hierarchy and user flow. This process helped us determine the necessary components for each page and allowed us to create logical layouts.

Wireframes

From these whiteboard sketches, I created high-fidelity wireframes. These were then reviewed by stakeholders and shared with a small group of students to gather feedback. The insights collected from the students helped us refine the design further. We reviewed the designs again with other students to ensure the tool was meeting their needs.

Usability testing

Initial Usability Testing:

Once the tool was built, we invited a selection of students to our in-house usability lab to test the tool on both mobile and desktop devices. During the testing sessions, we observed users interacting with the tool, noting problem areas and identifying what users found helpful.

Feedback and Problem Areas:

We used this feedback to identify key areas for improvement, including adjustments to the user flow and page layout. For instance, students found certain features confusing or difficult to navigate, which led to changes in the design to improve usability.

A/B Testing and Refinements:

After the tool went live, we continued to gather feedback from students through discussion forums and additional rounds of usability testing. We also leveraged data from user interactions to conduct A/B testing on the search results page. The results showed that simplifying the form fields helped users progress more easily to the next stage. Once users saw their results, they were more inclined to narrow down their search criteria to view more relevant and accurate course options.

Usability testing

Initial Usability Testing:

Once the tool was built, we invited a selection of students to our in-house usability lab to test the tool on both mobile and desktop devices. During the testing sessions, we observed users interacting with the tool, noting problem areas and identifying what users found helpful.

Feedback and Problem Areas:

We used this feedback to identify key areas for improvement, including adjustments to the user flow and page layout. For instance, students found certain features confusing or difficult to navigate, which led to changes in the design to improve usability.

A/B Testing and Refinements:

After the tool went live, we continued to gather feedback from students through discussion forums and additional rounds of usability testing. We also leveraged data from user interactions to conduct A/B testing on the search results page. The results showed that simplifying the form fields helped users progress more easily to the next stage. Once users saw their results, they were more inclined to narrow down their search criteria to view more relevant and accurate course options.

​Continuous Optimisation

Since the launch, the tool has been continuously reviewed and updated. We've added new features such as a course comparison tool, which was based on feedback from students who expressed a need for an easy way to compare multiple courses side by side.

Other enhancements have been made to improve the tool's functionality based on ongoing user testing and feedback, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for students.


Final Designs

​Continuous Optimisation

Since the launch, the tool has been continuously reviewed and updated. We've added new features such as a course comparison tool, which was based on feedback from students who expressed a need for an easy way to compare multiple courses side by side.

Other enhancements have been made to improve the tool's functionality based on ongoing user testing and feedback, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for students.


Final Designs

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LJ Hazzard

Projects

Experience

About me

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Copyright 2025 by LJ Hazzard

LJ Hazzard

Projects

Experience

About me

Contact

Copyright 2025 by LJ Hazzard

LJ Hazzard

Projects

Experience

About me

Contact

Copyright 2025 by LJ Hazzard