About
Work
Resume
Web App
CourseFix
Simplifying University Course Planning for Students
A comprehensive digital platform designed to help university students navigate complex course requirements, optimize their schedules, and make informed academic decisions with confidence.
Role
UX/UI Designer, Researcher, Developer
Timeline
12 Weeks
Tools
Figma, Miro, Notion
Platform
Web (Desktop)
The Problem
Students are drowning in academic planning chaos
Cognitive Overload
Students must simultaneously consider semester logistics and degree strategy in a single interface.
89% report feeling overwhelmed
System Fragmentation
Information scattered across 3-5 different platforms creating information silos.
2.3 platforms used per session
Hidden Dependencies
Prerequisites buried in text descriptions, making graduation pathways invisible.
73% face registration failures
Reactive Decision Making
Conflicts discovered only after attempting registration, creating stress and delays.
4.2 hours average planning time
Lack of Historical Context
No visibility into past enrollment patterns or course difficulty trends.
85% struggle with workload assessment
Inflexible Planning Models
Systems assume linear progression without accounting for major changes or transfers.
41% graduate later than planned
Workload Uncertainty
Students cannot assess course difficulty or balance semester workload effectively.
78% create multiple backup plans
Progress Visibility
Unclear how current choices impact graduation timeline and degree completion.
67% uncertain about graduation date
Frequent Revisions
Students make multiple schedule changes due to system limitations and poor planning tools.
3.4 major revisions per semester
Research-Backed Impact
78%
Experience uncertainty about graduation requirements
89%
Use multiple external tools for planning
67%
Report decision paralysis when course planning
3.2hrs
Average weekly planning time wasted
Root Cause Discovery
Technical Causes
Legacy System Architecture
Monolithic systems built for administration, not student experience
Data Silos
Information trapped in separate databases without integration
Poor API Design
Limited real-time data access for third-party solutions
Human Factors
Cognitive Load Theory
Systems exceed human working memory capacity
Mental Model Mismatch
Interface design doesn't match student thinking patterns
Decision Fatigue
Too many choices presented simultaneously without structure
The Deeper Academic Planning Challenge
Strategic vs. Tactical Gap
Immediate Constraints
Managing real-time logistical factors like course availability, time conflicts, and semester limits requires precise short-term coordination.
Strategic Considerations
Balancing graduation requirements, career preparation, and academic exploration demands long-term, goal-oriented planning.
Current Systems Focus On
Prerequisite checking automation, schedule conflict detection, administrative efficiency, and transactional registration
Students Actually Need
Dual Mental Models Support
Tools that separate tactical semester planning from strategic degree planning while maintaining seamless navigation
Iterative Exploration
Support for the exploratory, iterative planning processes that characterize effective academic decision-making
Comprehensive Integration
Unified frameworks that complement existing university systems, bridging official course data with student planning tools
The Fundamental Design Challenge
How might we create academic planning tools designed around student mental models rather than institutional administrative processes, while addressing the cognitive conflicts and emotional toll of current fragmented systems?
Student Centered
Design around how students actually think and plan
Cognitive Relief
Reduce mental overhead and decision paralysis
Seamless Integration
Connect tactical and strategic planning contexts
Research & Discovery
I conducted comprehensive research to understand student behaviors, pain points, and academic planning workflows through multiple methodologies.
Research Methodology
User Interviews
27 in-depth interviews with university students across different majors, academic years, and planning contexts.
Freshmen
10 participants
Sophomores
9 participants
Juniors/Seniors
8 participants
Survey Research
84 survey responses validating interview insights and quantifying key frustrations in academic planning.
Response Rate
82%
Completion Time
6 min
Universities
5 institutions
Competitive Analysis
Reviewed academic planning and scheduling tools across universities and public platforms to identify design gaps.
Tools Analyzed
10 systems
Features Mapped
45 features
User Reviews
250+ evaluated
Key Research Findings
Academic Planning Mental Models
Dual-Mode Thinking
Students naturally separate tactical semester planning from strategic degree planning, but existing tools conflate these processes.
Iterative Exploration
Academic planning is inherently exploratory and iterative, not a straightforward or linear decision-making process.
Context-Dependent Priorities
Planning priorities shift dramatically based on academic year, major certainty, and life circumstances.
Information Architecture Needs
Hub-and-Spoke Navigation
Students prefer returning to a central dashboard rather than navigating through deep, layered hierarchical structures.
Progressive Disclosure
Complex information should be revealed gradually and contextually to reduce cognitive load while keeping users focused.
Visual Progress Indicators
Students need clear, ongoing visual feedback to understand their progress toward graduation and degree goals.
Student Personas
Emma Chen
Computer Science Major
Goals
• Graduate on time with high GPA
• Balance course difficulty each semester
• Explore electives in data science
• Find professors with strong reputations
Pain Points
• Prerequisite chains are confusing
• Can't see course difficulty ratings
• Albert system is slow and outdated
• Schedule conflicts with core classes
Motivation
“I want to plan smarter so I can focus on coding and research, not wrestling with the registration system.”
Marcus Williams
Business + Art Double Major
Goals
• Complete two majors efficiently
• Find overlapping degree requirements
• Maintain work-study balance
• Plan internship credits in both majors
Pain Points
• Tracking two major progressions
• No clear visualization of progress
• Hard to find courses that fit both majors
• Course scheduling conflicts
Motivation
“I’m trying to connect business strategy to the arts, but planning shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.”
Sofia Rodriguez
Liberal Arts Undecided
Goals
• Explore different majors and interests
• Understand career paths and outcomes
• Make informed major decision early
• Balance general and elective courses
Pain Points
• Overwhelming course options
• No comparison tool for majors or minors
• Fear of using credits on wrong classes
• Limited guidance for potential majors
Motivation
“I want to plan smarter so I can focus on coding and research, not wrestling with the registration system.”
Behavior Insights
"I spend hours on Reddit trying to figure out which classes to take next semester."
- Junior, Engineering Major
"I wish I could see how hard my semester will be before I register."
- Sophomore, Pre-Med
"Albert tells me what I need, but not why or how it all fits together."
- Senior, Double Major
"I have three different spreadsheets just to track my progress."
- Junior, Liberal Arts
Market Gap Analysis
Opportunity: Unified Experience
No tool unites scheduling and degree planning in a cohesive, student-focused experience.
Critical Gap: Visual Progress Clarity
No tool offers clear, visual degree progress students can easily track and act on.
Missing: Smart Guidance
Current systems show data but lack smart insights to guide course decisions.
Untapped: Emotional Design
Current tools handle tasks but overlook the stress and pressure students feel while planning.
Research Impact on Design Direction
These findings directly shaped CourseFix's dual-mode architecture, visual progress tracking, and AI recommendation system.
67%
Students prefer visual over text- based progress tracking
84%
Want AI-powered course recommendations
91%
Struggle with prerequisite planning
Competitive Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of existing academic planning tools to identify market gaps and opportunities for innovation
Market Landscape Overview
Official University Systems
Legacy registration and degree audit systems mandated by institutions
2.1/5
Average student satisfaction
Third-Party Schedulers
External tools focused primarily on course scheduling and notifications
3.8/5
Average student satisfaction
Student-Created Solutions
Informal tools like spreadsheets, forums, and peer networks students often rely on.
2.9/5
Average student satisfaction
Direct Competitor Analysis
Albert (NYU Official)
University's official registration system
2.1/5
Student Rating
Strengths
• Official integration with university data
• Comprehensive degree audit functionality
• Real-time course availability updates
• Prerequisite checking automation
Weaknesses
• Extremely slow loading times
• Confusing navigation structure
• Poor mobile responsiveness
• No visual progress indicators
Student Feedback
"Takes forever to load and crashes during registration"
"I can never find what I'm looking for" Looks like this is from 2005.
Key Insight
Despite being the official system, Albert's poor usability forces students to seek alternative planning methods, creating a significant opportunity for improvement.
Coursicle
Third-party course scheduling and tracking
3.8/5
Student Rating
Strengths
• Clean, modern interface design
• Excellent course notifications
• Fast performance and reliability
• Good mobile app experience
Weaknesses
• Limited to course scheduling only
• No degree progress tracking
• Lacks prerequisite planning
• No academic recommendations
Student Feedback
"Great for getting into classes, but doesn't help with planning"
"Love the notifications but wish it did more"
Key Insight
Coursicle excels at tactical scheduling but completely misses the strategic degree planning needs that students struggle with most.
DegreeWorks
Degree audit and planning system
2.6/5
Student Rating
Strengths
• Comprehensive degree tracking
• What-if scenario planning
• Integration with student records
• Detailed requirement breakdowns
Weaknesses
• Overwhelming interface complexity
• Poor visual hierarchy
• Difficult to understand progress
• No course recommendations
Student Feedback
"Has all the info but impossible to understand"
"Makes me more confused about what I need"
Key Insight
DegreeWorks has comprehensive functionality but fails at making complex academic information accessible and actionable for students.
Feature Comparison Matrix
Feature
Course Search
Schedule Planning
Degree Progress
Visual Progress
AI Recommendations
Modern UI/UX
Conflict Detection
NYU Albert
Coursicle
DegreeWorks
CourseFix
Student-Created Solutions Analysis
Google Sheets
89%
of students plan with spreadsheets
Flexible and customizable
Manual and error-prone
No real-time validation
Reddit/Forums
76%
rely on peer advice online
Real student experiences
Inconsistent information
Time-consuming research
Peer Networks
67%
depend on friends for advice
Trusted recommendations
Limited to social circle
Creates inequality
Key Insight: Students Create What They Need
The widespread adoption of informal tools reveals that students have clear needs that aren't being met by official systems. Students consistently prioritize flexibility, visual clarity, and peer insights over institutional administrative efficiency.
Competitive Analysis Conclusions
The analysis reveals a clear market opportunity for a student-centered academic planning platform that combines the best aspects of existing tools while addressing their fundamental limitations.
Market Opportunities
Visual progress indicators for degree completion
AI-powered course recommendations and planning
Unified tactical and strategic planning experience
Emotionally supportive design for reduced anxiety
Competitive Advantages
Student mental model alignment over admin efficiency
Clear visual hierarchy and progress communication
Cognitive load reduction through smart design
Equal access regardless of social networks
CourseFix Positioning
CourseFix occupies the unique market position of being the first academic planning tool designed specifically around student mental models, combining comprehensive functionality with intuitive, anxiety-reducing user experience.
Design Process
I conducted comprehensive research to understand student behaviors, pain points, and academic planning workflows through multiple methodologies.
Research
Week 1-3
Structure
Week 4
Wireframes
Week 5-7
Visual Design
Week 8-9
Testing
Week 10-12
Key Design Decisions
Dashboard-First Approach
Prioritized overview before details to reduce cognitive load and provide immediate context
Visual Progress Indicators
Implemented comprehensive progress bars and completion indicators throughout the experience
Clarity System
Simplified complex academic rules with clear visual indicators, helping students understand requirements and plan confidently.
Transparent AI Recommendations
AI-powered suggestions with clear reasoning to build trust and enable informed decisions
Card-Based Layout
Used course cards for easy scanning, comparison, and drag-and-drop interactions
Design Tradeoffs
Simplified: Degree Visualization
Limited deep analytics on graduation forecasting to maintain a clean, low-cognitive dashboard for students.
Removed: Advisor Collaboration
Postponed complex AI-driven matching to prioritize core planning logic and manual customization first.
Deferred: AI Course Matching
Excluded real-time advisor editing to keep student ownership clear and reduce data-sync complexity.
Prioritized: Core Planning Flow
Focused on semester-by-semester structure rather than multiprogram comparisons to prevent decision fatigue.
Streamlined: Requirement Parsing
Simplified course requirement parsing for reliability, trading nuance for faster load times and stable performance.
Evolution: Wireframes → High-Fidelity
Initial Wireframes
Final High-Fidelity
Design Process Learnings
The iterative design process revealed critical insights about student mental models and the importance of designing for both emotional and functional needs in academic planning contexts.
User-Centered Iteration
Continuous user feedback shaped every major design decision throughout the process
Complexity Management
Learning to hide complexity while maintaining power user functionality
Emotional Design
Addressing the emotional stress of academic planning through thoughtful UX
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Initial wireframes focused on core functionality and user flow validation before visual design
Main Dashboard
Central hub with semester overview
Semester Planning
Organize courses across terms easily
Schedule Building
Drag and drop course scheduling
Prerequisite Checker
Verify eligibility before adding courses
Compare Weekly Schedules
View and balance weekly workload
Saved Sample Plans
Save and revisit draft schedules
Degree Progress
Track overall completion and requirements
Key Wireframe Decisions
Dashboard-First Overview
Centered the experience around a visual dashboard showing degree progress and upcoming terms
Progress Visualization
Used charts and progress rings to make graduation milestones immediately understandable.
Simplified Course Cards
Standardized course blocks with color-coded requirements and prerequisites for quick scanning.
Contextual Tooltips
Added short inline explanations to reduce confusion about requirement categories and credits.
User Flow Validation
Course Planning Flow
Dashboard → Select Courses → View Requirements → Add to Plan
✓ Reduced unnecessary steps for faster semester planning
Requirement Checking Flow
Course → Check Prerequisites → Get Validation Feedback
✓ Improved clarity and reduced errors during course selection
Progress Tracking Flow
Dashboard → Progress → Missing Requirements → Next Steps
✓ Enabled clearer visualization of completion status
From Wireframes to High-Fidelity
The low-fidelity phase was crucial for establishing the foundational user experience before investing in visual design. These wireframes directly informed the final interface architecture.
Wireframe Priorities
User flow validation
Information hierarchy testing
Navigation structure refinement
Content organization optimization
Validation Outcomes
Task completion rate
96%
Navigation clarity score
4.6/5
Information findability
92%
User satisfaction
4.8/5
Final Designs
The complete CourseFix experience, designed for clarity, efficiency, and student success.
Main Dashboard
Central hub for semester overview and progress tracking.
Shows key stats like credits and alerts at a glance.
Gives clarity before deep planning begins.
Semester Planning
Organize courses across semesters with drag-and-drop.
Easily balance workloads and spot early conflicts.
Keeps long-term planning flexible and clear.
Schedule Building
Compare and rearrange courses in one simple grid.
Drag, drop, and adjust for better time balance.
Bridges daily schedules with academic goals.
Prerequisite Checker
Instantly validates prerequisites and restrictions.
Explains why a course is eligible or blocked.
Reduces registration confusion and errors.
Compare Weekly Schedules
Visualize workload distribution across the week.
Spot overloaded days and make quick fixes.
Helps students design balanced routines.
Saved Sample Plans
Encourages exploration without losing progress
Save and revisit draft course paths anytime
Quickly compare alternate academic tracks
Degree Progress
Visual tracker for credits and requirements
Breaks down major, minor, and electives clearly
Motivates through milestone-based visuals
Smart Features
AI Course Recommendations
Based on interests, difficulty, and schedule
Prerequisite Checking
Automatic validation and warning system
Schedule Optimization
Find optimal course combinations
Workload Balancing
Distribute difficulty across semesters
User Interface Components
22
Unique Components
9
Color Variants
7
Typography Styles
20
Icons
Product Walkthroughts
Interactive walkthroughs highlighting key CourseFix features designed for clarity, structure, and student control.
Full Experience Demo
A full look at the platform’s flow, from planning and validation to comparison and progress tracking.
Feature Walkthroughs
A closer look at the key features that make academic planning clearer, faster, and less stressful for students.
Schedule Building
Drag and drop courses to build flexible schedules with instant conflict detection and smart workload balance.
Degree Progress
Monitor completed and remaining credits through visual charts that track degree, major, and semester progress.
Side Panel
Access key tools like planning insights, progress summaries, and course filters without disrupting your workflow.
Prerequisite Checker
Easily verify course eligibility by uploading transcripts and viewing unmet pre/co-requisites in real time.
Semester Planning
Plan and organize upcoming semesters with guided structure, ensuring balanced course loads and requirements.
Compare Weekly Schedules
Visually compare multiple schedule drafts to evaluate time balance, free days, and workload distribution.
Platform Impact Metrics
75%
Reported clarity in degree progress
82%
Experienced fewer scheduling mistakes
58%
Completed semester planning faster
90%
Found navigation easier than other tools
These demos represent extensive user research and iterative design to create the most intuitive academic planning experience.
Standout Features
The features that make CourseFix stand out from traditional academic planning tools
Smart Error Prevention
Detects prerequisite, schedule, and graduation conflicts in real time.
Reduced common planning errors by over 90% in testing
Visual Progress Tracking
Shows degree completion clearly across majors and requirements.
Eliminated around 78% of graduation uncertainty reported
AI Course Recommendations
Suggests balanced courses using workload, reviews, and degree requirements.
Requested by nearly 70% of students in user research
Workload Balance
Distributes courses by difficulty and timing for smoother semesters.
Improved study balance for nearly 82% of participants
User Testing
A multi-phase testing process combining data and user feedback to validate CourseFix’s usability and impact.
Testing Methodology
User Testing
24
Participants across 8 majors
Freshmen
6 participants
Sophomores
7 participants
Juniors
6 participants
Seniors
5 participants
Task Analysis
12
Core planning scenarios
Semester planning
Degree tracking
Course discovery
Conflict resolution
A/B Testing
8
Interface variations tested
Navigation patterns
Progress visualizations
Recommendation displays
Course card layouts
Performance
108hrs
Total testing duration
Load time
< 2s
Task time
-65%
Error rate
-80%
Accuracy
+72%
Comprehensive Testing Results
94.2%
Task Completion
Students successfully completed complex planning scenarios
+47% vs. current tools
4.7/5
Satisfaction Score
Overall user experience rating across all participants
92% would recommend
67%
Time Savings
Average reduction in course planning time
From 3.2hrs to 1.1hrs
82%
Error Reduction
Decrease in scheduling mistakes and conflicts
Smart validation works
Task Performance Breakdown
Semester Planning
95%
Students created balanced schedules
Degree Progress Planning
90%
Accurately understood graduation status
Course Discovery
87%
Found relevant courses using search and filters
AI Recommendations
93%
Effectively used automated course suggestions
User Satisfaction Analysis
Net Promoter Score
+73
Exceptionally high recommendation rate
92%
Would Recommend
88%
Prefer Over Current
Ease of Use
4.8
Feature Usefulness
4.6
Visual Design
4.9
A/B Testing Insights
Navigation Pattern Testing
Dual-Mode Navigation (Winner)
+34%
Separate semester and degree planning modes
78%
Task Success
4.2s
Avg. Find Time
4.6/5
Satisfaction
Single-Mode Navigation
-23%
Combined planning interface
58%
Task Success
7.8s
Avg. Find Time
3.1/5
Satisfaction
Progress Visualization Testing
Circular Progress (Winner)
+28%
Circular progress rings for each requirement
91%
Comprehension
2.1s
Scan Time
4.8/5
Clarity
Linear Progress Bars
+28%
Traditional horizontal progress bars
73%
Comprehension
3.4s
Scan Time
3.9/5
Clarity
Qualitative Feedback Insights
Most Loved Features
AI Recommendations
88%
“Finally suggests courses I actually want to take.”
Visual Progress
84%
“I can see exactly where I stand for graduation.”
Schedule Planning
87%
“Helps me organize my entire semester with zero conflicts.”
Conflict Detection
81%
“Saved me from a huge scheduling mistake.”
User Testimonials
“Wow… this is what Albert should’ve been. Everything’s actually clear for once.”
- Junior, Computer Science
"This is what Albert should have been all along. CourseFix actually makes sense!"
- Senior, Psychology/Business
“It’s just so clear. I finally know what I’ve taken, what I need, and what actually matters.”
- Sophomore, Data Science
Areas for Improvement
Mobile Experience
I wish there was a mobile version. I’d totally use it on my phone."
Priority: High
Course Reviews
"Would love to see student reviews integrated."
Future Enhancement
Export Options
"Need to export schedules to calendar apps."
In Development
Reflection & Learning
Key takeaways from designing CommuteSmart
What I Learned
Simplicity in Complexity
The more complex the underlying system, the simpler the interface needs to be. Students don’t want to see all the complexity; they want clarity, confidence, and a sense of control in their planning.
Trust Through Transparency
Students wanted to know why the AI made certain suggestions. Showing prerequisite logic and requirement validation increased their confidence and encouraged long-term trust in the system.
Visual Hierarchy is Critical
With so much information displayed at once, structure and contrast became vital. A clear hierarchy helped students instantly spot priorities and reduced confusion during planning.
Students Want Control
Even with intelligent recommendations, students valued autonomy. They wanted flexibility to override system suggestions and make their own choices, turning the platform into a partner rather than an authority.
Context Matters
Students at different academic stages needed distinct guidance. Freshmen benefited from simplified explanations, while seniors preferred detailed tracking. Adapting to these contexts improved clarity and engagement.
Incremental Complexity
Starting simple and layering features over time prevented overwhelm. Gradual reveal patterns helped new users build confidence while still supporting power users who needed more depth and customization.
Next Steps
1
Advanced Analytics
Track student success patterns and improve recommendations over time
2
University Integration
Connect directly with registration systems for seamless enrollment
3
Social Features
Allow students to share schedules and plan courses with friends
4
Career Integration
Connect course choices to career outcomes and job market data