Solution
User Flow
Through our solutions for each of our personas, we as a team split apart to create different portions of the website, starting with creating user flows for both an event calendar and a survey tool as a path guide for how users should navigate through the website. I worked on the full portion of the Event Calendar whilst Stephanie worked on the Survey tool portion of the website.
After creating user personas and acknowledging each of their obstacles, we produced 3 solutions based on each of the personas' needs, which involved creating a flexible student events platform that highlights local spots and academic-friendly activities around University City, developing a centralized, easy-to-navigate resource hub that guides the user through applying for restaurant grants and support programs, and launch a simple survey tool to help a user assess eligibility for financial and food assistance.
Logo Sketches
Most of our sketches for the logos were intended to match the historical and classical life look of University City while also keeping a present-day aesthetic to relate to students, but also non-students of University City. Many of the sketches were inspired by other University Logos to keep a scholarly look, but also simple text logos as well, to keep a modern look to match the overall aesthetics of the neighborhood.
Older Iterations
As for the branding of the website, we intended to keep the idea of going for a historical, classical, and present-day look that we envisioned in our logos toward the overall branding. For our first iteration, we gathered cool and darker colors to capture the oldness of the campus buildings from UPenn, Drexel, and other surrounding buildings. However, we added some saturated colors to differentiate from an older look to more of a fun, simple look to keep the general brand colors from becoming an older style, but instead one with a more modern look. The same could be said for the typography choices we had as well, with IvyStyleSans being our main idea for choosing a clean typeface. But over time, choosing EB Garamond as another typeface to match up with the cleanliness.
Final Brand Identity
Through the original iteration and multiple feedback changes. University City’s final brand Identity gives off an old-fashioned look with modern-day elements of simplicity through logos, color, and typography.
Event Calendar Research
Most of my main research for developing the Event Calendar was looking at common uses of Event Calendars across multiple state/county government and entertainment-based websites. In most cases, there was frequent use of a filter system, a search function, and event cards for a user to navigate through the calendar to find what they were looking for. I wanted to make the Event Calendar simple to use and understandable for a user to navigate through, so I took most of those common functions to make up the portion of the event calendar, whilst not adding any extra material to make it confusing for a user.
Final Prototype
After creating user personas and acknowledging each of their obstacles, we produced 3 solutions based on each of the personas' needs, which involved creating a flexible student events platform that highlights local spots and academic-friendly activities around University City, developing a centralized, easy-to-navigate resource hub that guides the user through applying for restaurant grants and support programs, and launch a simple survey tool to help a user assess eligibility for financial and food assistance.
Reflection
After creating user personas and acknowledging each of their obstacles, we produced 3 solutions based on each of the personas' needs, which involved creating a flexible student events platform that highlights local spots and academic-friendly activities around University City, developing a centralized, easy-to-navigate resource hub that guides the user through applying for restaurant grants and support programs, and launch a simple survey tool to help a user assess eligibility for financial and food assistance.
2025
UI/UX
University City
Neighborhood Website To Create Better Experiences for Those Inside
Timeline
January - May 2025
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustartor
Role
Designer
Team
Ashley Yeboah
Stephanie Du
Overview
As a collaborative, academic, and semester-long case study project, we were tasked with creating a neighborhood website that encompassed the different districts of Philadelphia. After reviewing our options, we chose University City as our target district. And by using research, branding, user flows, and personas, we developed a unique neighborhood website that helps residents navigate their community and access support.
Research
Primary Research
Before our initial start to our project, primary and secondary research was required to understand the history of University City, its current state, and community demographics. Through primary research, we went and explored University City’s focal areas, including its student campuses, nearby hospitals, and homes. Along with taking any necessary pictures to add to any future research and assets for the website.
Research
Secondary Research
Before our initial start to our project, primary and secondary research was required to understand the history of University City, its current state, and community demographics. Through primary research, we went and explored University City’s focal areas, including its student campuses, nearby hospitals, and homes. Along with taking any necessary pictures to add to any future research and assets for the website.
Research
User Personas
Before our initial start to our project, primary and secondary research was required to understand the history of University City, its current state, and community demographics. Through primary research, we went and explored University City’s focal areas, including its student campuses, nearby hospitals, and homes. Along with taking any necessary pictures to add to any future research and assets for the website.
Idony Ambrose, 20
Nursing Student
A junior transfer to UPenn from Howard County Community College, Idony rents an apartment in University City due to past dorm issues and is now seeking nearby jobs to afford rent without loans.
Goals
Find a nearby job in University City to help cover rent.
Balance schoolwork with time to explore University City and Philly.
Discover local study-friendly spots.
William Jones, 30
Restaurant Owner
William owns a family seafood restaurant on Chestnut St. and lives nearby with his wife and two kids. He promotes his business to college students but is now seeking ways to reach more of the local community due to declining activity.
Goals
Wants to grow a loyal customer base of locals and students.
Find support services if business slows.
Increase profits for potential renovations.
Wendy Moore, 27
Nursing at UHoP
William owns a family seafood restaurant on Chestnut St. and lives nearby with his wife and two kids. He promotes his business to college students but is now seeking ways to reach more of the local community due to declining activity.
Goals
Find a nearby job in University City to help cover rent.
Balance schoolwork with time to explore University City and Philly.
Discover local study-friendly spots.