Redesigning the official Politecnico di Milano student app

Powered by Politecnico di Milano

New challenge for us as designers, new opportunity for students

Target: University Students

For a master's degree course, we were asked to redesign the Polimi app, an official university application for students.

Heuristic Evaluation

After desk research, a heuristic evaluation of the existing application revealed major issues that needed to be solved: overload of information, lack of students' perspective, and inconsistent design.

Usability Test

8 usability tests were performed on different student targets, analyzing error rate and tracking behaviour and comments. These tests were essential to reveal the main pain points of the user experience.

Information Architecture

Once all data was analyzed and information categorized into precise areas, we developed a service structure through an information architecture. The functionality of the application was divided in order of priority.

Wireframe

Finally it was the turn of the wireframe. Lead users were involved throughout the process. Our user-centred design approach was essential to prevent errors and maintain constant confirmation about the project direction.

Font & Colors

The typography of the app follows the university's brand identity rules. We selected the most modern font among the selectable options — Universal LT — keeping focus on consistency between titles. A cool white was chosen for the surface with touches of institutional blue.

User Interface

After designing the user experience, we moved to visual identity and user interface. In order to design a style that could communicate with the entire Polimi ecosystem, it was necessary to start from the existing brand book.

The design system was aimed at executing two best practices:

• Brand consistency
• Accessible color palette

Atomic Design

As one of the main problems in the original design was inconsistency, the new system had to be a safe place where users can perform tasks reliably. Atomic design was chosen as the mental model to make the interface consistent and predictable.

Hi-Fi Prototype

A functioning prototype was created in Figma. The homepage is the beating heart of the application — the center that controls everything and allows all functions to be quickly and easily reached. Key attributes of the new application:

• Tabbed application structure
• Hierarchical functionalities
• Maximum three levels of depth

Features

In this video, all the principal features of the new university application redesign are explained.

User Testing

Maze software was used to test the prototype. Its compatibility with Figma allowed the entire prototype to be loaded and made fully testable with a large number of potential users. The final test was useful to adjust some parts and deliver an advanced prototype.

App Teaser

We also created a teaser video to entice students to explore and embrace the new redesign of the university app.