AlbertX

Nobody likes a drawn out email chain -- especially individuals looking for answers on a time crunch. AlbertX is a conceptual personalized academic advising platform where users can seek unlimited guidance, learn new information, and access academic resources 24/7 via an AI-powered chatbot.

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Client

University + Personal Project

AlbertX

Nobody likes a drawn out email chain -- especially individuals looking for answers on a time crunch. AlbertX is a conceptual personalized academic advising platform where users can seek unlimited guidance, learn new information, and access academic resources 24/7 via an AI-powered chatbot.

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Client

University + Personal Project

AlbertX

Nobody likes a drawn out email chain -- especially individuals looking for answers on a time crunch. AlbertX is a conceptual personalized academic advising platform where users can seek unlimited guidance, learn new information, and access academic resources 24/7 via an AI-powered chatbot.

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Client

University + Personal Project

AlbertX

Nobody likes a drawn out email chain -- especially individuals looking for answers on a time crunch. AlbertX is a conceptual personalized academic advising platform where users can seek unlimited guidance, learn new information, and access academic resources 24/7 via an AI-powered chatbot.

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Client

University + Personal Project

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Type

University + Personal Project

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Type

University + Personal Project

Role

UX/UI Design, UX Research, Content Design

Duration

3 months

Collaborators

Maureen Daoud (Research)

Type

University + Personal Project

The Challenge

While conducting user research on pain points within the NYU Community, many individuals reported having issues using the NYU Albert student information platform. Specifically, navigating its non-intuitive interface, using it to complete important academic tasks, and accessing NYU academic advising on it. 


We aimed to create a new informational platform that would allow a more personalized advising experience for students. We developed AlbertX - a platform where users are able to have 24/7 digital conversations with a customizable advisor avatar that guides them based on their individual profiles.

While researching the NYU academic advising process, we discovered that students often feel unfulfilled with the quality of academic advising that they receive. They complained about experiencing brief meetings and complicated email chains that don’t fully address their concerns. Due to this, these students often face struggles in finding resources, registering for classes, and planning their coursework.


Using the "Five Whys" technique, we aimed to understand the root cause leading to unfulfilling academic advising:

Main Findings

Many students suffering from food insecurity have busy schedules.

Sometimes, students spend money on a "whim" depending on how they feel in the moment. 

There's a lack of meal planning/prepping for some students.

Pride and dignity are commonly cited examples of why some people decide not to use some food resource options.

Students’ busy schedules often lead to them choosing what is convenient and easily accessible even if it's not healthy.

"In the moment" feelings play a larger role in decision-making than most people realize; people don't plan for the long term.

There is a cycle between consuming insufficient nutrients, decreased performance/mental health, and limited  meal prep.

There is societal/ background push that tells people that getting help is "shameful."

Many students suffering from food insecurity have busy schedules.

Many students suffering from food insecurity have busy schedules.

Social pressure and "in the moment" feelings lead to money being spent on a "whim."

Social pressure and in the mom spend money on a "whim" depending on how they feel in the moment. 

There's a lack of meal planning/prepping for some students.

Pride and dignity can play a role in some individuals' decision to not to use some food resource options.

Busy schedules lead to food choices that are convenient and easily accessible, even if they're not healthy.

Impulsivity can play a large role in financial decision-making; people don't always plan ahead.

Inconsistency can create an unhealthy cycle of insufficient nutrients and decreased performance.

There is societal/ background push that tells people that getting help is "shameful."

User Personas

Forming "How Might We…" Statements

Selecting the Solution

Why did we choose the Madmatch App?

Ethical sourcing of recipes is tricky, so the cookbook would be difficult to carry out.

Food infrastructure is difficult to prototype, and  “Meals-On-Wheels” exists already.

An Internet solution improves accessibility because most people are able to access it. 

An app allows for more product customization and inclusion of features that other media would not.

Ethical sourcing of recipes is tricky, so the cookbook would be difficult to carry out.

Food infrastructure is difficult to prototype, and  “Meals-On-Wheels” exists already.

An Internet solution improves accessibility because most people are able to access it. 

An app allows for more product customization and inclusion of features that other media would not.

Ethical sourcing of recipes is tricky, so the cookbook would be difficult to carry out.

Ethical sourcing of recipes is tricky, so the cookbook would be difficult to carry out.

Food infrastructure is difficult to prototype, and  “Meals-On-Wheels” exists already.

Food infrastructure is difficult to prototype, and  “Meals-On-Wheels” exists already.

An Internet solution improves accessibility because most people are able to access it. 

An Internet solution improves accessibility because most people are able to access it. 

An app allows for more product customization and inclusion of features that other media would not.

An app allows for more product customization and inclusion of features that other media would not.

The First Prototype: A Google Form Survey

First Prototype Test Results

Improvements Made

Next Steps

  • Guidance should feel personalized, as every student has different goals and experiences.

  • People want to find information in the same place, and access it on their own time.

  • Students tend to find out about academic limitations when it's relatively too late.

Below are some of the main screens of the platform:


Top Left: Main Conversation Landing Page


Top Right: Start Journey Page ("What would you like help with today?")


Bottom Left: Avatar Customization Page


Bottom Right: Interest Input Page