Hypocampus is Sweden's leading study platform for medical students and includes fact-based literature with associated questions, curricula and practice exams.
Our task was to create a prototype of an app focused on usability and learning. We also examined how it differed from the current mobile version of the website and whether it could increase satisfaction and the perceived efficiency of learning.
Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information about how the users experience the current website, how their usage differs between desktop and mobile, which factors affect their learning. The users were also allowed to talk about their over all experience of the website and what they wish for in an app.
To identify common themes, quotes from the interviews were gathered, and grouped. Each group was labeled with a caption summarizing its theme. The most feedback concerned usage occasions, with users noting they primarily use the mobile version for short sessions, mainly to answer questions and quickly review material. The analysis led to a specification of requirements that included existing functions, desired features, and criteria for high usability.
Using the specification of requirements as a foundation, the ideation process began with brainwriting and brainstorming. Key areas that emerged and were further explored included platform personalization, the addition of a home page, new features, navigation, layout, and progress visualization. Another important idea was that users should easily be able to resume their work from where they last stopped, enhancing the app's flexibility.
Further the ideas was visualised using wireframes. Different alternatives of layouts, components, and functions were explored and combined to find new solutions as well as evaluated if they met the requirements. The first prototype was developed using Figma. The design was adapted to follow Hypocampus' graphical profile and provided a user experience optimized for mobile use. The prototype included new functionality that was missing in the web version, such as improved navigation flows, a feedback system, and user goals, as well as optimization for short study sessions. Notifications and dark mode were added as new features based on user requests.
The first test involved four users who were tasked with completing several assignments in the prototype. The feedback was used to improve the prototype’s functionality and interface. The test was conducted through observation, with participants' interactions recorded for further analysis.
After further development, a second round of user tests was conducted with seven medical students. This test focused on comparing the user experience between the new prototype and the existing mobile version of the Hypocampus website. Participants completed the same tasks in both versions.
After the user tests, additional design improvements were made. The PNI method (Positive, Negative, Interesting) was used to structure feedback from the tests and determine which features to keep, change,or remove. The prototype was updated accordingly to create a final version that integrated the most important improvements. The final prototype focused on efficient use, a clearer layout, and enhanced interaction capabilities compared to the mobile web version.
The design process resulted in a prototype perceived as more user-friendly and functional than the existing mobile version of the Hypocampus website. Through a structured and user-centered design process, the application was able to meet the users' needs and preferences, improving both accessibility and satisfaction in use.
The Bachelor thesis was a valuable way to learn how to work with a company and to meet their goals and requirements, as well as working close to the users to understand their needs and wishes. It was also instructive to work with a bigger project were there was time for much iterating to reach a final concept that in the end was well elaborated.
