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UniLink
Connecting students through one app
UX/UI
BRANDING
2023
A campus app that simplifies student life.
UniLink was my third-year UX/UI design project, developed in 2023, to address the communication challenges faced by university students, particularly international students navigating unfamiliar environments. I observed that campus life often lacked a centralised system for sharing event updates, course-related information, or social opportunities. Students felt disconnected, and international students, in particular, were more vulnerable to isolation and confusion.
To address this, I proposed UniLink, a campus mobile app that consolidates essential information and fosters meaningful connections. The app features straightforward navigation to course content, campus announcements, and student activities. A built-in chat function separates discussions into campus-specific and broader threads, helping students build community both locally and across institutions.
The platform was designed with international students in mind. It includes tailored features such as English language support, career guidance aligned with the Australian job market, and wellness resources to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle while studying abroad.
This project allowed me to develop design thinking skills grounded in empathy and user insight. I conducted surveys and user interviews to identify key pain points and tested prototypes based on real feedback. It challenged me to design for both emotional connection and practical function, thinking not just creatively, but responsibly.
Feature Breakdown
– Early Ideation
• Log in
Recognise users: student email or university email (tutor). It will sort them out following their university and connect them to their canvas
• Home page
: A central hub where students can access information such as their class schedule, assignments, grades, and upcoming campus events.
• Personal profile
Put important websites on this page so that students don’t have to search for them individually. Also, they can check the latest news of their university, such as construction information or campus open day.
• Communication / Chat function
A chat or messaging feature that allows students to easily connect with their peers and tutors for discussions, questions, and collaboration on assignments or projects.
• News and Announcements
A section that provides the latest news and announcements from the campus administration, including critical updates, news, and events.
• Resource library
A repository of campus resources, including academic support services, clubs and organisations, and campus policies and procedures, to help students easily access important information.
• Forum or discussion/ question
A platform for students to engage in discussions, share concerns, and seek advice from their peers and tutors on various topics related to campus life, academics, and extracurricular activities.
• Search
Students can search for their concerns and pick the topics to enter the chat room.
Low-Fi User Testing
Following initial user testing, I identified several opportunities to improve functionality and user experience. The feedback highlighted the need for greater interactivity, accessibility, and inclusiveness, particularly for international students and non-native English speakers.
In response, I introduced the following key improvements:
• Interactive features – Users can now tag or mention friends in discussions, creating a more connected and social environment.
• Bookmark and save tools – On the forum page, users can save or bookmark useful posts for future reference, encouraging sustained engagement.
• Multilingual support – Recognising the diverse student body, I implemented multiple language options to ensure usability for non-native English speakers.
• Enhanced forum clarity – Each post now includes additional context such as the author’s university and posting date, helping users better evaluate and engage with content.
• Improved navigation – A floating button has been added to enable quick access to discussion features from any page within the app.
These refinements aimed to enhance usability, inclusivity, and emotional connection, ultimately supporting a smoother and more supportive campus experience for all users.
Visibility
• Social media campaigns targeting university student communities
• Collaborations with student organisations and clubs to promote the app
• Presentations and demonstrations at university events, orientation programs, and career fairs
• Partnerships with university administration and student services departments for official endorsement and promotion.
Feasibility
• Ensuring compatibility with various mobile platforms (iOS, Android)
• Collaborating with university IT departments or external development teams to handle app development and maintenance
• Assessing the availability of necessary resources (financial, human, technological) to support app development and operations.
• Complying with data privacy regulations and security measures to protect user information.
• Conducting a cost-benefit analysis to determine the financial sustainability of the app and exploring potential revenue streams (e.g., advertisements, premium features).
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