Describe your role within the StrathApp team, what have you been working on?
As a recent graduate from product design engineering, I was interested in improving the app’s user experience. I first aimed to reduce the time it takes to access key features using functional analysis. My aim evolved into the creation of the StrathApp design system – a blueprint for future UI updates and a simple guide to keep the look and feel of the app fresh and consistent. Furthermore, I created a prototype for a stack widget to instantly communicate personal information to students from their home page. The project assistants and I collaborated daily and discussed our key findings at weekly sprint reviews with the wider team. The contents of our survey and Freshers Fair activities were curated along the way. We had over 350 students give their perspective and all of our suggestions were well received!
How did you get involved with working with the team?
I saw the position advertised on the Strath Union website a couple of years ago, applied this year and was successful!
What experience have you gained by working with the team?
I now know how to communicate effectively in an office environment and develop a product in the public sector where a high number of different perspectives must be considered democratically. Developing the design system involved the consideration of a multitude of different use case scenarios and I had to learn how to both discover and balance the constraints arising from these. I also gained technical skills through learning how to use Figma, Flutter and Dart.
How do you think the work you have done with the StrathApp Team will benefit other students?
My work will help improve the overall user experience and shorten the time it takes for students to access the features most important to them.
How has working with the team benefitted you?
I come from an engineering background where organisation and efficiency are really important so I enjoyed freely discussing and debating ideas – especially with people from different degree backgrounds.
Any final remarks about the student co-creation model and how it could/should be applied throughout the sector.
The student co-creation model is a good way to make sure that voices are being heard and real change is made. The team’s openness to ideas was evident, which fostered an honest working environment that created a real sense of value for me in my role.
- Cameron Donohoe, MEng Product Design Engineering