Groupii
Empower students by transforming the way they engage, connect, and study together
Problem
How do we increase motivation and enthusiasm for learning amongst students?
This was the main question I was trying to answer when designing Groupii, a platform that allows students to connect remotely, driving inspiration and motivation from peer-to-peer learning.
Key Objectives
Create a space for students to connect with peers remotely
Allow students to form relationships through interests or study material
Share ideas and projects with other students for collaboration
Increase enthusiasm and engagement for learning while building lasting connections with peers
Understanding the User
Meet Alex Rivers — a determined online student balancing coursework with a part-time job as a retail store manager. Alex is motivated to succeed quickly, build real-world skills, and connect with like-minded peers to stay inspired and on track. His experience represents a growing segment of students who need digital tools that fit into busy, nontraditional schedules.
Mapping Critical User Flows
I focused on designing user flows that align directly with the core needs of students like Alex — connection, feedback, and progress. By mapping out key actions such as connecting with others or submitting a peer review, I ensured each flow felt intuitive, efficient, and purpose-driven. My goal was to reduce friction and make every interaction feel clear and supportive.
Sketching the Vision
With Alex’s goals and the critical user flows clearly defined, I began sketching wireframes that prioritized clarity, simplicity, and momentum. Each screen was designed to support the student journey — from discovering new peer reviews to staying updated on group activity — with layouts that reduce cognitive load and encourage engagement.
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Crafting the Visual Direction
To define Groupii’s visual direction, I crafted two moodboards exploring distinct tones: one sleek and professional, and one vibrant and student-friendly. This process helped align the brand’s identity with its purpose — to feel both motivating and trustworthy, while staying welcoming and approachable for college students. Through curated color palettes, typography inspiration, and UI references, I refined a style that balances academic clarity with collaborative energy.
Final Moodboard
Visual Style Guide
To ensure consistency across the product, I created a style guide that outlines the visual foundation of Groupii’s interface. From typography and color to button styles and iconography, this guide reflects the brand’s tone — a balance of clarity, collaboration, and student-friendly energy — and supports a cohesive user experience across all screens.
Refining the Designs
With the core layouts and user journeys validated in low-fidelity wireframes, I transitioned into high-fidelity designs to bring the Groupii experience to life. This stage focused on applying the visual style guide — integrating color, typography, spacing, and iconography — while refining the interface for clarity, usability, and brand alignment.
Before
Focused on including key functionality and information on the home page
After
Incorporated the brand styles and designing each activity and post card with the right information
Before
After
Tried to incorporate all actions required to submit a peer review on one screen
Changed the design such that one action is completed on one screen so as not to overwhelm and confuse the user.
Designing for All Devices
Since Groupii is a responsive web app, I designed interfaces with tablet and desktop breakpoints in mind — not just mobile. I adjusted layouts, spacing, and component scaling to ensure that key actions (like reviewing documents or managing group tasks) remained accessible and visually clear at every size. Designing responsively helped me prioritize flexible grids, intuitive navigation, and readability across devices.
Final Designs
The final designs bring together Groupii’s visual identity, user needs, and functional goals into a cohesive interface. Each screen was crafted to support students through collaboration, peer feedback, and task tracking — all with a clean, student-friendly UI that feels both intuitive and engaging.
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