Overview
Overview
Overview
The FIU Mobile App is the official app for Florida International University (FIU), designed to improve the student experience by providing seamless access to essential campus services, academic tools, and real-time updates. I pitched the idea to the Director of FIU Information Technology, led the vision, design, and user research, and worked closely with developers to bring the app to life.
The FIU Mobile App is the official app for Florida International University (FIU), designed to improve the student experience by providing seamless access to essential campus services, academic tools, and real-time updates. I pitched the idea to the Director of FIU Information Technology, led the vision, design, and user research, and worked closely with developers to bring the app to life.
The FIU Mobile App is the official app for Florida International University (FIU), designed to improve the student experience by providing seamless access to essential campus services, academic tools, and real-time updates. I pitched the idea to the Director of FIU Information Technology, led the vision, design, and user research, and worked closely with developers to bring the app to life.
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Role
Role
Role
Lead Product Designer
Lead Product Designer
Lead Product Designer
Skills
Skills
Skills
User research + testing
User research + testing
User research + testing
Stakeholder collaboration
Stakeholder collaboration
Stakeholder collaboration
Interactive prototyping
Interactive prototyping
Interactive prototyping
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
2022 - Present
2022 - Present
2022 - Present
The app wasn’t delivering what students needed
The app wasn’t delivering
what students needed
The app wasn’t delivering
what students needed
The app wasn’t delivering
what students needed
The Problem
FIU Mobile was meant to be a central hub for students to access class schedules, campus resources, and financial aid. Instead, the app often created more frustration than convenience. Its outdated design, slow performance, and confusing layout made simple tasks feel tedious. Frequent login issues and missed updates led many students to stop using it altogether. With a 2.8 out of 5 App Store rating and consistent negative feedback, it was clear the app wasn’t meeting student needs and needed a complete redesign.
FIU Mobile was meant to be a central hub for students to access class schedules, campus resources, and financial aid. Instead, the app often created more frustration than convenience. Its outdated design, slow performance, and confusing layout made simple tasks feel tedious. Frequent login issues and missed updates led many students to stop using it altogether. With a 2.8 out of 5 App Store rating and consistent negative feedback, it was clear the app wasn’t meeting student needs and needed a complete redesign.
FIU Mobile was meant to be a central hub for students to access class schedules, campus resources, and financial aid. Instead, the app often created more frustration than convenience. Its outdated design, slow performance, and confusing layout made simple tasks feel tedious. Frequent login issues and missed updates led many students to stop using it altogether. With a 2.8 out of 5 App Store rating and consistent negative feedback, it was clear the app wasn’t meeting student needs and needed a complete redesign.
The Problem
Overwhelming User Experience. Students couldn’t easily find what they needed. Key tools were buried in cluttered menus, making simple tasks feel overwhelming.
Overwhelming User Experience. Students couldn’t easily find what they needed. Key tools were buried in cluttered menus, making simple tasks feel overwhelming.
Overwhelming User Experience. Students couldn’t easily find what they needed. Key tools were buried in cluttered menus, making simple tasks feel overwhelming.
Not Built for Today. The app felt outdated and slow, with a design that didn’t reflect student expectations or mobile standards.
Not Built for Today. The app felt outdated and slow, with a design that didn’t reflect student expectations or mobile standards.
Not Built for Today. The app felt outdated and slow, with a design that didn’t reflect student expectations or mobile standards.
Access was a Hassle. Due to timeouts, and security prompts created friction — even for quick tasks like checking class times + events.
Access was a Hassle. Due to timeouts, and security prompts created friction — even for quick tasks like checking class times + events.
Access was a Hassle. Due to timeouts, and security prompts created friction — even for quick tasks like checking class times + events.
The Data was Clear
The Data was Clear
The Data was Clear
Research Findings
Getting students to open up about their day-to-day frustrations with FIU Mobile wasn’t as straightforward as expected. Still, through surveys and interviews with over 600 students, we were able to dive deep into how they interacted with the app — and where it was letting them down. Their feedback gave us valuable insight into real-world usage, common pain points, and the features they needed but couldn’t easily access.
Getting students to open up about their day-to-day frustrations with FIU Mobile wasn’t as straightforward as expected. Still, through surveys and interviews with over 600 students, we were able to dive deep into how they interacted with the app — and where it was letting them down. Their feedback gave us valuable insight into real-world usage, common pain points, and the features they needed but couldn’t easily access.
Getting students to open up about their day-to-day frustrations with FIU Mobile wasn’t as straightforward as expected. Still, through surveys and interviews with over 600 students, we were able to dive deep into how they interacted with the app — and where it was letting them down. Their feedback gave us valuable insight into real-world usage, common pain points, and the features they needed but couldn’t easily access.
Over 96% of the students we interviewed said they use the mobile app on a weekly basis, making it clear that the app is a pivotal part of their experience.
Research Findings
A Better Student Experience — Built from the Ground Up
A Better Student Experience — Built from the Ground Up
A Better Student Experience — Built from the Ground Up
Solution
To address the frustrations students faced with the old FIU Mobile App, we completely redesigned the experience with a focus on accessibility, speed, and relevance. Key student resources were prioritized and made easier to find through a simplified navigation system, personalized dashboards, and an improved search feature. We also integrated real-time updates and streamlined services like class schedules, financial aid, and campus maps to reduce friction and improve daily usability. The new design not only resolved pain points but also delivered a more intuitive and engaging user experience, tailored specifically to student needs.
To address the frustrations students faced with the old FIU Mobile App, we completely redesigned the experience with a focus on accessibility, speed, and relevance. Key student resources were prioritized and made easier to find through a simplified navigation system, personalized dashboards, and an improved search feature. We also integrated real-time updates and streamlined services like class schedules, financial aid, and campus maps to reduce friction and improve daily usability. The new design not only resolved pain points but also delivered a more intuitive and engaging user experience, tailored specifically to student needs.
To address the frustrations students faced with the old FIU Mobile App, we completely redesigned the experience with a focus on accessibility, speed, and relevance. Key student resources were prioritized and made easier to find through a simplified navigation system, personalized dashboards, and an improved search feature. We also integrated real-time updates and streamlined services like class schedules, financial aid, and campus maps to reduce friction and improve daily usability. The new design not only resolved pain points but also delivered a more intuitive and engaging user experience, tailored specifically to student needs.
Simplified Navigation. Key tools were brought to the forefront with a clean, intuitive layout that made finding information quick and easy.
Simplified Navigation. Key tools were brought to the forefront with a clean, intuitive layout that made finding information quick and easy.
Simplified Navigation. Key tools were brought to the forefront with a clean, intuitive layout that made finding information quick and easy.
Built for Today. The interface was rebuilt for performance and usability, reflecting the standards and expectations of today’s students.
Built for Today. The interface was rebuilt for performance and usability, reflecting the standards and expectations of today’s students.
Built for Today. The interface was rebuilt for performance and usability, reflecting the standards and expectations of today’s students.
Frictionless Access. Real-time updates and seamless login made it easy for students to stay informed without unnecessary barriers.
Frictionless Access. Real-time updates and seamless login made it easy for students to stay informed without unnecessary barriers.
Frictionless Access. Real-time updates and seamless login made it easy for students to stay informed without unnecessary barriers.
Solution
Class Schedule
Class Schedule
Class Schedule
Your Day,
At a Glance.
Your Day,
At a Glance.
Your Day,
At a Glance.
See your classes the moment you open the app. View times, locations, and session details without searching. Check parking before you head out, explore places to eat, find campus events, stay updated on what matters to you, and more.
See your classes the moment you open the app. View times, locations, and session details without searching. Check parking explore places to eat, find campus events, stay updated on what matters to you, and more.
See your classes the moment you open the app. View times, locations, and session details without searching. Check parking explore places to eat, find campus events, stay updated on what matters to you, and more.
Digital ID
Digital ID
Digital ID
One Tap Access.
One Tap Access.
One Tap Access.
Verify your identity quickly and securely with just your phone. Access campus spaces like the library, gym, and events without digging for a card. Tap to unlock doors, check in at facilities, confirm your status when needed, and more.
Verify your identity quickly and securely with just your phone. Access campus spaces like the library, gym, and events without digging for a card. Tap to unlock doors, check in at facilities, confirm your status when needed, and more.
Verify your identity quickly and securely with just your phone. Access campus spaces like the library, gym, and events without digging for a card. Tap to unlock doors, check in at facilities, confirm your status when needed, and more.
Campus Maps
Campus Maps
Campus Maps
Find your way, faster.
Find your way, faster.
Find your way, faster.
Explore dining, parking, and campus locations with ease. Search by category or see what’s nearby to get where you need to go.
Explore dining, parking, and campus locations with ease. Search by category or see what’s nearby to get where you need to go.
Explore dining, parking, and campus locations with ease. Search by category or see what’s nearby to get where you need to go.
Academics
Everything you need to stay on track.
Everything you need to stay on track.
Everything you need to stay on track.
Check your GPA, class schedule, financial details, and notifications in one place. Stay informed and organized throughout the semester.
Check your GPA, class schedule, financial details, and notifications in one place. Stay informed and organized throughout the semester.
Check your GPA, class schedule, financial details, and notifications in one place. Stay informed and organized throughout the semester.
Explore
Explore
Explore
Stay connected to campus life.
Stay connected to campus life.
Stay connected to campus life.
Explore campus news, upcoming events, and resources like study room booking, athletics, and more to stay connected and informed.
Explore campus news, upcoming events, and resources like study room booking, athletics, and more to stay connected and informed.
Explore campus news, upcoming events, and resources like study room booking, athletics, and more to stay connected and informed.
A Successful impact
A Successful impact
A Successful impact
A Successful impact
Retrospective
Retrospective
Retrospective
4.7
4.7
4.7
App Store Rating
App Store Rating
App Store Rating
#1
#1
#1
Public University - Student experience according to WSJ
Public University - Student experience according to WSJ
Public University - Student experience according to WSJ
5,000+
5,000+
5,000+
New users within 24 hours of launch
New users within 24 hours of launch
New users within 24 hours of launch
93%
93%
93%
Increase in Monthly Active Users (MAU)
Increase in Monthly Active Users
Increase in Monthly Active Users
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