PittEXCHANGE
A Personalized Website For International Students Transitioning Into American Life
Experience is Information
During directed storytelling interviews we found students struggle with learning new cultural cues and norms. Information gathered is largely through multiple trial and error attempts or word-of-mouth interactions. PittExchange leverages the power of the international student community to share experiences or questions with others, with the aim of providing easy access to varied reliable information through a single source.
Process Work: The Model
Process Work: Ideating wireframes, scenarios and information architecture
Challenges and Insights
Building trust amongst members from multiple nationalities was a key issue we faced. In reviewing our research we found, students don’t discriminate between information sources based on nationality. Rather they look for the most accountable and trusted source. Thus, we introduced ‘Trusted’ and ‘Newbie’ badges, awarded to users by the community as their story ratings rise. Additionally, a pre-existing body of International students would serve to ratify information posted on the site.
Wireframe: User Mina views a story related to her information need
Contributions
Directed storytelling Interviews
Competitive analysis
Bricks and mortar research
Persona and scenario building
Logo design
Wireframe design
Information architecture design.
Team: Matthew Deutsch (ECE) / Eun Jung Lee (ETC)
Assignment Duration: 3 weeks
Produced @ Carnegie Mellon. Copyright © 2009-2010 Aliya Baptista, Matthew Deutsch and Eun Jung Lee.