Orbit is a mobile application designed to connect university students with various groups and societies based on their interests. It provides a platform for students to discover and join different clusters such as courses, clubs, or societies, enabling them to meet like-minded people and explore new hobbies.
Through the app, students can stay informed about upcoming events and attend them, as well as see who else is attending and invite their friends. This feature allows them to plan ahead and attend events with their peers.
To encourage students to attend more events and socialize, Orbit offers discounts as rewards. The rewards motivate students to attend more events, while also providing financial support to those who might otherwise avoid events due to cost.
The name 'Orbit' was chosen to represent the idea of individuals being part of a larger community, while the term 'clusters' describes the various groups that students can join, such as courses, clubs, or societies.
Overall, Orbit is an app designed to help students discover new interests, meet new people, and build a strong sense of community within their university. It offers a convenient way to keep track of events, join groups and societies, communicate with like-minded individuals, and receive rewards.
This was a collaborative project where each member actively participated and contributed equally in every design process. By leveraging our diverse backgrounds and skill sets, we were able to bring unique strengths to the team.
21 November 2022 to 20 January 2023
UX Researcher & Designer
Design a social and technical intervention that helps users meaningfully and responsibly collect data from other people and / or their local environment, for the purposes of living well together. Your design response will help people reflect on this data while enhancing personal and social wellbeing and contributing to a wider ‘social good’.
We initially generated a wide range of ideas in response to the brief, including topics such as the cost of living, energy crisis, student finances, surveillance, cameras, and student mental health. After extensive discussions, we decided to design an app that specifically addresses student problems.
As an international student from India studying in the UK, I faced various challenges during my initial days. Adapting to a new country, culture, and educational system was not easy. I struggled to find suitable accommodation and a part-time job, and for the first month, I had no friends to rely on. There were many new things to learn and understand, including the different societal norms and study methods. I was not aware of the various societies and clubs available, and whether there were any that matched my interests. Reflecting on my own experience, I believe that having an app like Orbit would have greatly facilitated my transition and adaptation process, making it easier for me to connect with like-minded individuals, find relevant information, and engage in activities that aligned with my interests.