School Axis
AI Interpreter for everyday conversations
2021
Bridging the gap between African students and international accommodation.
Role:
Product Designer
Responsibilities:
User Research, Userflow Design, Wireframing, High-Fidelity Design, Prototyping.
Goal:
To ease the accommodation search process and assist with student visa applications.
Overview
The Problem
Every year, thousands of young people from Africa pursue education in Europe and North America. However, the excitement is often dampened by significant logistical hurdles: navigating complex visa processes and, crucially, finding safe, affordable accommodation near their prospective schools. Many students are left frustrated, lacking straightforward direction, or stuck in limbo for months unable to secure housing.
The Solution
School Axis is a specialized platform designed to connect African students with international accommodation resources and visa assistance. It removes the stress of migration by streamlining the search, payment, and booking process.
The Process & Ideation
I utilized a structured UX process:
Research
Ideation
Design
Prototyping
Testing
During the ideation phase, I defined critical roadmap functions to solve the users' specific anxieties:
- Contextual Search: Users must be able to search not just by city, but specifically by University to ensure proximity to campus.
- Comparison Tools: A feature allowing users to view accommodation details side-by-side to aid decision-making.
- Stress-Free Payments: School Axis acts as the intermediary, handling payments so students don't have to navigate complex international transfers alone.
- Human Support: Integrated chat functionality with Admins to resolve confusion instantly.
Website’s Userflow
Web App’s Userflow
Visual Design & Key Features
The High-Fidelity UI uses a clean, trustworthy blue and white color palette, utilizing card-based layouts for easy information scanning.
The Landing Page & Search
- Value Prop: "Student Accommodation Made Easy." The search bar is front and center.
- Trust Signals: "Safe and Secure" badges and a clear "How it Works" section (Search > Signup > Book) demystify the process for anxious parents and students.
Accommodation & Comparison
- Detailed Listings: Listings include high-quality photos, price per week, and distance to university.
- Comparison Mode: Users can distinctively compare properties (e.g., St. Peters BLVD vs. King's Crest) based on price and amenities.
- Transparency: A dedicated "Cancellation Policy" section (e.g., "No Visa, No Pay") was added to address the specific fear of losing money if a visa is denied.
The Dashboards
- User Dashboard: A personal hub showing "Active Accommodation," "Bookings in Progress," and a "Wishlist."
- Admin Dashboard: A robust backend for School Axis staff to manage users, view bookings stats, and handle flagged issues, ensuring the "Human Support" promise is kept.
Outcome
School Axis successfully translates a chaotic, high-stress offline process into a serene digital experience. By addressing the specific nuances of African international students, such as visa-dependent refunds and university-specific searches. The design provides not just a housing search tool, but a support system for education abroad.
School Axis
AI Interpreter for everyday conversations
2021
Bridging the gap between African students and international accommodation.
Role:
Product Designer
Responsibilities:
User Research, Userflow Design, Wireframing, High-Fidelity Design, Prototyping.
Goal:
To ease the accommodation search process and assist with student visa applications.
Overview
The Problem
Every year, thousands of young people from Africa pursue education in Europe and North America. However, the excitement is often dampened by significant logistical hurdles: navigating complex visa processes and, crucially, finding safe, affordable accommodation near their prospective schools. Many students are left frustrated, lacking straightforward direction, or stuck in limbo for months unable to secure housing.
The Solution
School Axis is a specialized platform designed to connect African students with international accommodation resources and visa assistance. It removes the stress of migration by streamlining the search, payment, and booking process.
The Process & Ideation
I utilized a structured UX process:
Research
Ideation
Design
Prototyping
Testing
During the ideation phase, I defined critical roadmap functions to solve the users' specific anxieties:
- Contextual Search: Users must be able to search not just by city, but specifically by University to ensure proximity to campus.
- Comparison Tools: A feature allowing users to view accommodation details side-by-side to aid decision-making.
- Stress-Free Payments: School Axis acts as the intermediary, handling payments so students don't have to navigate complex international transfers alone.
- Human Support: Integrated chat functionality with Admins to resolve confusion instantly.
Website’s Userflow
Web App’s Userflow
Visual Design & Key Features
The High-Fidelity UI uses a clean, trustworthy blue and white color palette, utilizing card-based layouts for easy information scanning.
The Landing Page & Search
- Value Prop: "Student Accommodation Made Easy." The search bar is front and center.
- Trust Signals: "Safe and Secure" badges and a clear "How it Works" section (Search > Signup > Book) demystify the process for anxious parents and students.
Accommodation & Comparison
- Detailed Listings: Listings include high-quality photos, price per week, and distance to university.
- Comparison Mode: Users can distinctively compare properties (e.g., St. Peters BLVD vs. King's Crest) based on price and amenities.
- Transparency: A dedicated "Cancellation Policy" section (e.g., "No Visa, No Pay") was added to address the specific fear of losing money if a visa is denied.
The Dashboards
- User Dashboard: A personal hub showing "Active Accommodation," "Bookings in Progress," and a "Wishlist."
- Admin Dashboard: A robust backend for School Axis staff to manage users, view bookings stats, and handle flagged issues, ensuring the "Human Support" promise is kept.
Outcome
School Axis successfully translates a chaotic, high-stress offline process into a serene digital experience. By addressing the specific nuances of African international students, such as visa-dependent refunds and university-specific searches. The design provides not just a housing search tool, but a support system for education abroad.
School Axis
AI Interpreter for everyday conversations
2021
Bridging the gap between African students and international accommodation.
Role:
Product Designer
Responsibilities:
User Research, Userflow Design, Wireframing, High-Fidelity Design, Prototyping.
Goal:
To ease the accommodation search process and assist with student visa applications.
Overview
The Problem
Every year, thousands of young people from Africa pursue education in Europe and North America. However, the excitement is often dampened by significant logistical hurdles: navigating complex visa processes and, crucially, finding safe, affordable accommodation near their prospective schools. Many students are left frustrated, lacking straightforward direction, or stuck in limbo for months unable to secure housing.
The Solution
School Axis is a specialized platform designed to connect African students with international accommodation resources and visa assistance. It removes the stress of migration by streamlining the search, payment, and booking process.
The Process & Ideation
I utilized a structured UX process:
Research
Ideation
Design
Prototyping
Testing
During the ideation phase, I defined critical roadmap functions to solve the users' specific anxieties:
- Contextual Search: Users must be able to search not just by city, but specifically by University to ensure proximity to campus.
- Comparison Tools: A feature allowing users to view accommodation details side-by-side to aid decision-making.
- Stress-Free Payments: School Axis acts as the intermediary, handling payments so students don't have to navigate complex international transfers alone.
- Human Support: Integrated chat functionality with Admins to resolve confusion instantly.
Website’s Userflow
Web App’s Userflow
Visual Design & Key Features
The High-Fidelity UI uses a clean, trustworthy blue and white color palette, utilizing card-based layouts for easy information scanning.
The Landing Page & Search
- Value Prop: "Student Accommodation Made Easy." The search bar is front and center.
- Trust Signals: "Safe and Secure" badges and a clear "How it Works" section (Search > Signup > Book) demystify the process for anxious parents and students.
Accommodation & Comparison
- Detailed Listings: Listings include high-quality photos, price per week, and distance to university.
- Comparison Mode: Users can distinctively compare properties (e.g., St. Peters BLVD vs. King's Crest) based on price and amenities.
- Transparency: A dedicated "Cancellation Policy" section (e.g., "No Visa, No Pay") was added to address the specific fear of losing money if a visa is denied.
The Dashboards
- User Dashboard: A personal hub showing "Active Accommodation," "Bookings in Progress," and a "Wishlist."
- Admin Dashboard: A robust backend for School Axis staff to manage users, view bookings stats, and handle flagged issues, ensuring the "Human Support" promise is kept.
Outcome
School Axis successfully translates a chaotic, high-stress offline process into a serene digital experience. By addressing the specific nuances of African international students, such as visa-dependent refunds and university-specific searches. The design provides not just a housing search tool, but a support system for education abroad.