Maple App
Maple App
Maple is designed to assist international students arriving in Canada by providing essential tools and resources to navigate their new environment with ease. From finding accommodation and understanding local customs to connecting with a supportive community.
Maple is designed to assist international students arriving in Canada by providing essential tools and resources to navigate their new environment with ease. From finding accommodation and understanding local customs to connecting with a supportive community.
Role:
Role:
Product Designer
Product Designer
Project Type:
Project Type:
Hackville
Hackville
Duration:
Duration:
20 Hours
20 Hours
Team:
Team:
4 People
4 People
01 Overview
01 Overview
Oh, Canada!
Oh, Canada!
Maple is more than just a tool—it's your trusted guide to a seamless transition. From finding your new home to connecting with a supportive community, we're here to make sure every step of your journey feels like a welcome adventure.
Maple is more than just a tool—it's your trusted guide to a seamless transition. From finding your new home to connecting with a supportive community, we're here to make sure every step of your journey feels like a welcome adventure.
02 The Problem
02 The Problem
Lost in Transition…
Lost in Transition…
International students, arriving with dreams and hopes, quickly face isolation as they struggle with outdated, inefficient methods to access resources and connect with peers. This leads to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.
International students, arriving with dreams and hopes, quickly face isolation as they struggle with outdated, inefficient methods to access resources and connect with peers. This leads to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.
03 The Solution
03 The Solution
Your Canadian
Companion.
Your Canadian
Companion.
Maple simplifies the transition for international students in Canada with features like personalized profiles, faculty connections, direct messaging, language translation, customized housing searches, and exclusive deals.
This ensures students feel at home and supported throughout their journey.
Maple simplifies the transition for international students in Canada with features like personalized profiles, faculty connections, direct messaging, language translation, customized housing searches, and exclusive deals.
This ensures students feel at home and supported throughout their journey.
Profile Creation & Housing Support
Profile Creation & Housing Support
Personalized Experience.
Personalized Experience.
When you create your Maple account, you'll input your name, pronouns, interests, display name, and country of origin to personalize your experience.
From the home screen, access housing options tailored to your choices for transportation, distance, price, roommates, and property style, with exclusive affordable options for international students. (Step 2)
When you create your Maple account, you'll input your name, pronouns, interests, display name, and country of origin to personalize your experience.
From the home screen, access housing options tailored to your choices for transportation, distance, price, roommates, and property style, with exclusive affordable options for international students. (Step 2)
Step 1 : Profile Creation
Step 1 : Profile Creation
GIF
Step 2 : Housing Support
Step 2 : Housing Support
GIF
Chatroom Messaging & Rooms
Chatroom Messaging & Rooms
Communication with
Peers and Faculty.
Communication with Peers and Faculty.
Maple ensures you stay connected by automatically linking you with students from your program and faculty. Easily view their profiles and send messages to build a supportive academic network. (Step 3)
Additionally, our direct messaging feature lets you chat with friends, see who's online, and catch up on any missed messages, keeping you always in touch with your community. (Step 4)
Maple ensures you stay connected by automatically linking you with students from your program and faculty. Easily view their profiles and send messages to build a supportive academic network. (Step 3)
Additionally, our direct messaging feature lets you chat with friends, see who's online, and catch up on any missed messages, keeping you always in touch with your community. (Step 4)
Step 3 : Chatroom Messaging
Step 3 : Chatroom Messaging
GIF
Step 4 : Chatroom Rooms
Step 4 : Chatroom Rooms
GIF
Berke
Product Designer
Thank you for reviewing the project overview.
For those interested in the finer details, scroll down to explore the comprehensive process behind this project.
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Other Projects
Dive into the Process Work
Berke
Product Designer
Thank you for reviewing the project overview.
For those interested in the finer details, scroll down to explore the comprehensive process behind this project.
If you'd like to view more projects, please select from the options below.
Other Projects
UX/UI Design & Research
Middle School Profile
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard
UX/UI Design & AR Design
EduQuest App
Dive into the Process Work
Berke
Product Designer
Thank you for reviewing the project overview.
For those interested in the finer details, scroll down to explore the comprehensive process behind this project.
If you'd like to view more projects, please select from the options below.
Other Projects
UX/UI Design & Graphic Design
Middle School Profile
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard
UX/UI Design & AR Design
EduQuest App
Dive into the Process Work
04 My Role
04 My Role
Crafting User-Centric
Solutions.
Crafting User-Centric
Solutions.
In my role, I conducted user surveys using Google Forms to gather critical data, developed a comprehensive user flow, and identified key goals and pain points.
Additionally, I designed button components and developed key interfaces, including the home page, chatroom, and housing support features, to create a personalized and engaging experience for international students transitioning to study abroad.
In my role, I conducted user surveys using Google Forms to gather critical data, developed a comprehensive user flow, and identified key goals and pain points.
Additionally, I designed button components and developed key interfaces, including the home page, chatroom, and housing support features, to create a personalized and engaging experience for international students transitioning to study abroad.
User Research
User Research
Key Insights from
Survey.
Key Insights from
Survey.
International students (18-27) prioritize affordable, safe housing (66.7%). They prefer cultural prep with current students (83.3%) and need strong academic advising (50%) and language support (66.7%).
Most want a buddy system (83.3%) and counseling for mental health (66.7%). Career development and networking events (50%) are also crucial.
International students (18-27) prioritize affordable, safe housing (66.7%). They prefer cultural prep with current students (83.3%) and need strong academic advising (50%) and language support (66.7%).
Most want a buddy system (83.3%) and counseling for mental health (66.7%). Career development and networking events (50%) are also crucial.
Critical need for customized solutions in key areas of international student transitioning.
Critical need for customized solutions in key areas of international student transitioning.
Need for affordable and safe housing options close to their university or college.
Need for affordable and safe housing options close to their university or college.
Need for accessible mental health support services.
Need for accessible mental health support services.
Need for stronger community connections to enhance engagement.
Need for stronger community connections to enhance engagement.
User Persona
User Persona
Meet Alex.
Meet Alex.
To create Alex Gabris' persona, we focused on a 21-year-old student from Chania, Greece, moving to Ontario for her Interaction Design studies.
Her persona addresses needs for personalized community interaction and language support while overcoming challenges like limited networking platforms and accommodation issues, ensuring a smoother transition to her new environment.
To create Alex Gabris' persona, we focused on a 21-year-old student from Chania, Greece, moving to Ontario for her Interaction Design studies.
Her persona addresses needs for personalized community interaction and language support while overcoming challenges like limited networking platforms and accommodation issues, ensuring a smoother transition to her new environment.
Figure 1.0 Defining the User
Figure 1.0 Defining the User
User Persona
User Flow
User Flow
Guided User
Engagement.
Guided User
Engagement.
Our user flow design delivers a seamless experience, starting with easy onboarding and profile setup. It guides users through tutorials for chatroom functions and language tools, followed by features like personalized recommendations and support services.
This structured approach ensures ongoing personalization and effective engagement with essential tools for a smooth transition.
Our user flow design delivers a seamless experience, starting with easy onboarding and profile setup. It guides users through tutorials for chatroom functions and language tools, followed by features like personalized recommendations and support services.
This structured approach ensures ongoing personalization and effective engagement with essential tools for a smooth transition.
Figure 2.0 Building the Experience
User Flow
My Reflections
My Reflections
Project Learnings
Project Learnings
Learning Empathy: Addressing Real Student Needs
Learning Empathy: Addressing Real Student Needs
Tackling challenges like housing, isolation, and resource access taught me the importance of truly understanding the unique struggles international students face in a new country.
Tackling challenges like housing, isolation, and resource access taught me the importance of truly understanding the unique struggles international students face in a new country.
Designing with Purpose: Crafting User-Centered Solutions
Designing with Purpose: Crafting User-Centered Solutions
User research drove the creation of personalized profiles, housing support, and messaging features, showing me how targeted design can address specific pain points and make an experience more welcoming.
User research drove the creation of personalized profiles, housing support, and messaging features, showing me how targeted design can address specific pain points and make an experience more welcoming.
Impact Through Simplicity: Creating a Seamless Transition
Impact Through Simplicity: Creating a Seamless Transition
By focusing on intuitive design and clear communication, I saw how a simple, thoughtful product can make students feel more supported, reinforcing the value of user-centered problem solving.
By focusing on intuitive design and clear communication, I saw how a simple, thoughtful product can make students feel more supported, reinforcing the value of user-centered problem solving.
Berke
Product Designer
Thank You for Your Interest.
Thank You for Your Interest.
If you have any questions or need further information regarding my personal projects, please feel free to contact me.
I’m more than happy to share additional insights, details, or provide clarifications. I'm always available to assist and discuss how these projects align with your needs or interests.
If you have any questions or need further information regarding my personal projects, please feel free to contact me.
I’m more than happy to share additional insights, details, or provide clarifications. I'm always available to assist and discuss how these projects align with your needs or interests.
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard
UX/UI Design & Research
Coaches' Dashboard