Berkeleytime — Scheduler
Berkeleytime — Scheduler
Berkeleytime — Scheduler
Centralizing class planning for Berkeley students of all majors, colleges, & curriculums.
Centralizing class planning for Berkeley students of all majors, colleges, & curriculums.
Context
Context
Context
Berkeleytime reimagines the student course planning experience to be seamless, integrated, and centralized across all disciplines. Made by students, for students.
Berkeleytime reimagines the student course planning experience to be seamless, integrated, and centralized across all disciplines. Made by students, for students.
Berkeleytime reimagines the student course planning experience to be seamless, integrated, and centralized across all disciplines. Made by students, for students.
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Spring 2023
6 weeks
Spring 2023
6 weeks
Spring 2023
6 weeks
Team
Team
Team
1 Product Manager
4 Designers
4 Developers
1 Product Manager
4 Designers
4 Developers
1 Product Manager
4 Designers
4 Developers
Skills
Skills
Skills
Interaction Design
Prototyping
Visual systems
Interaction Design
Prototyping
Visual systems
Interaction Design
Prototyping
Visual systems
Context
Context
Context
Berkeleytime’s newest feature, Scheduler, allows students to build out a potential course schedule, with classes directly imported from the catalog. This integrates smoothly with our other features, which allow users to check class grade distributions and enrollment numbers, creating a seamless experience for academic planning.
Berkeleytime’s newest feature, Scheduler, allows students to build out a potential course schedule, with classes directly imported from the catalog. This integrates smoothly with our other features, which allow users to check class grade distributions and enrollment numbers, creating a seamless experience for academic planning.
Berkeleytime’s newest feature, Scheduler, allows students to build out a potential course schedule, with classes directly imported from the catalog. This integrates smoothly with our other features, which allow users to check class grade distributions and enrollment numbers, creating a seamless experience for academic planning.
The Problem
The Problem
Stop— do not pass Go!
Various scattered resources makes schedule planning disjointed and decentralized, hindering efficient planning for students.
To gain a thorough understanding of the past year using Quizlet Plus, including
use cases, potential alternatives, most-used features, perceived value, and price.
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Students leverage a variety of tools to craft viable schedules. While Scheduler's MVP offers basic functionality, how can we enrich its core capabilities to streamline and consolidate the course planning journey, ultimately minimizing jobs outsourced to external platforms?
Goal: A unified course planning experience at your fingertips 🪄
Students leverage a variety of tools to craft viable schedules. While Scheduler's MVP offers basic functionality, how can we enrich its core capabilities to streamline and consolidate the course planning journey, ultimately minimizing jobs outsourced to external platforms?
Goal: A unified course planning experience at your fingertips 🪄
Research
Research
With a goal in mind, we conducted research in order to identify helpful core features for centralizing the planning experience.
With a goal in mind, we conducted research in order to identify helpful core features for centralizing the planning experience.
01 Competitive Analysis
01 Competitive Analysis
Exploring current course planning tools and their roles in the planning journey.
Exploring current course planning tools and their roles in the planning journey.
02 User Interviews
02 User Interviews
Conducting 8 student interviews of various majors, years, & departments to understand preferences and pain points.
Conducting 8 student interviews of various majors, years, & departments to understand preferences and pain points.
Ideation
Ideation
Based on our research, our PM consolidated and pointed us in a concrete direction for specific goals to accomplish: allowing schedule comparison and offering customizable blocks.
Due to team size constraints, my primary focus was custom blocks, though we conducted weekly crit to ensure all designers were synced on other moving parts. In addition, since we had an existing design system and the designers have a strong sense of product with a quick turnaround time, our iterations usually start around mid-fidelity.
Based on our research, our PM consolidated and pointed us in a concrete direction for specific goals to accomplish: allowing schedule comparison and offering customizable blocks.
Due to team size constraints, my primary focus was custom blocks, though we conducted weekly crit to ensure all designers were synced on other moving parts. In addition, since we had an existing design system and the designers have a strong sense of product with a quick turnaround time, our iterations usually start around mid-fidelity.
Takeaways
Takeaways
Schedules undergo multiple iterations
Schedules undergo multiple iterations
Users seldom finalize their schedules immediately; they create versions that evolve based on potential classes, times, and days, as well as backup schedules to swiftly adapt if unable to secure their first-choice.
Users seldom finalize their schedules immediately; they create versions that evolve based on potential classes, times, and days, as well as backup schedules to swiftly adapt if unable to secure their first-choice.
➡️ Implementing easy schedule visualization and comparison can minimize tab switching and streamline decision-making.
➡️ Implementing easy schedule visualization and comparison can minimize tab switching and streamline decision-making.
There’s more to scheduling than just classes
There’s more to scheduling than just classes
Extracurricular activities consume a significant portion of time. Incorporating other commitments into a scheduling tool ensures users can access a comprehensive and accurate schedule in a centralized location.
Extracurricular activities consume a significant portion of time. Incorporating other commitments into a scheduling tool ensures users can access a comprehensive and accurate schedule in a centralized location.
➡️ Offering an option to integrate other time-based activities enhances flexibility and customization for all types of schedules.
➡️ Offering an option to integrate other time-based activities enhances flexibility and customization for all types of schedules.
Interaction Design Ideation
Interaction Design Ideation
Identifying optimal entry points for adding a custom block, and how users can customize it.
Identifying optimal entry points for adding a custom block, and how users can customize it.
❌ DROPDOWN OPTION
Low visibility; students type class names directly instead of scrolling
❌ ADDING CUSTOM SECTION
Adds unnecessary complexity and takes up prime real estate
✅ CUSTOM BUTTON
High visibility, maintains a simple UI, and fits into existing design system
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Choose a class...
Scheduled Units: 19
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
A,RESEC 202
CUSTOM
A,RESEC 212
A,RESEC 219B
A,RESEC 239
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
Scheduled Units: 19
Courses
Custom
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
INTRO TO FIGMA DECAL
Wed 6 - 8pm
Dwinelle 245 • 2 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
Choose a class...
SCHEDULE 1, SCHEDULE 2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
create new schedule
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Search a class
Add custom
Scheduled Units: 19
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
After conducting usability testing, we decided on a CTA and grouped it together where users can add a class, since both involved user-initiated functionality. Once we finalized this, we polished it up to look consistent with the rest of our UI.
After conducting usability testing, we decided on a CTA and grouped it together where users can add a class, since both involved user-initiated functionality. Once we finalized this, we polished it up to look consistent with the rest of our UI.
“The custom button is most visible and accessible... I don't have to look around the page or wonder what the feature is for when it's located right under the add class function. Because they're grouped together I can infer that this button is for adding a custom block”
“The custom button is most visible and accessible... I don't have to look around the page or wonder what the feature is for when it's located right under the add class function. Because they're grouped together I can infer that this button is for adding a custom block”
A GOOD START, BUT...
Having dropdowns and buttons look the same visually might be confusing, even with a different icon.
ALIGNING IT WITH OUR DESIGN SYSTEM
Making the button smaller and placing it on the same line
ensures visibility while communicating to users it solves a different job.
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Search a class
Add custom
Scheduled Units: 19
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Choose a class
Custom
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
DATA C100
Principles and Techniques of Data Science
1100/1100 enrolled • 4 units
Once we finalized how users could access a custom block, we needed a way for users to input information and customize the block to their needs. We decided on a modal, as it provided the most flexibility for customization options while retaining space on the main page.
Once we finalized how users could access a custom block, we needed a way for users to input information and customize the block to their needs. We decided on a modal, as it provided the most flexibility for customization options while retaining space on the main page.
👀 VISUAL REFERENCE
Users use color to quickly identify custom blocks among classes
📌 QUICK SELECTION MODAL
Draws attention and makes it easy for the user to quickly customize
🔎 INTUITIVE DAY + TIME SELECTIONS
UI similar to Google Calendar, which students are familiar with
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Choose a class
Custom
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
DATA C100
Principles and Techniques of Data Science
1100/1100 enrolled • 4 units
Name
Location
Description
Su
M
Tu
W
F
Th
Sa
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
Although offering a description option was helpful, it would interfere with block layout on the scheduler page. Instead, we felt that having a unit indicator was more important, especially since students utilize units as a measure of time and work load. Additionally, we eliminated the color option; we decided to assign the block a random color from a preselected palette to ensure color accessibility and reduce user decision-making.
Although offering a description option was helpful, it would interfere with block layout on the scheduler page. Instead, we felt that having a unit indicator was more important, especially since students utilize units as a measure of time and work load. Additionally, we eliminated the color option; we decided to assign the block a random color from a preselected palette to ensure color accessibility and reduce user decision-making.
🗓️ ADDING TO ALTERNATE SCHEDULES
Having an option to apply a block to multiple schedules makes the process of creating alternatives much more efficient.
➕ UNIT COUNTER
Draws attention and makes it easy for the user to quickly customize
Cleaning it up visually!
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Choose a class
Custom
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
DATA C100
Principles and Techniques of Data Science
1100/1100 enrolled • 4 units
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
UNITS
0
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
UNITS
0
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
VISUAL DESIGN IDEATION
VISUAL DESIGN IDEATION
Crafting a custom block that visually aligns with existing class blocks.
Crafting a custom block that visually aligns with existing class blocks.
This didn’t go through too many iterations, as the design team had previously redesigned class blocks-- our work on building a design system made this much more efficient. We maintained the design consistency and reorganized the information to be descriptive and relevant.
This didn’t go through too many iterations, as the design team had previously redesigned class blocks-- our work on building a design system made this much more efficient. We maintained the design consistency and reorganized the information to be descriptive and relevant.
After designing this, we decided to revisit the modal and scrap it, as an expanded state allowed the user to edit the block and followed a similar experience as selecting class discussions. Scroll down to see our final solution!
After designing this, we decided to revisit the modal and scrap it, as an expanded state allowed the user to edit the block and followed a similar experience as selecting class discussions. Scroll down to see our final solution!
🗓️ ADDING TO ALTERNATE SCHEDULES
Having an option to apply a block to multiple schedules makes the process of creating alternatives much more efficient.
➕ UNIT COUNTER
Draws attention and makes it easy for the user to quickly customize
Cleaning it up visually!
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Catalog
Berkeleytime
Grades
Enrollment
Scheduler
About
Your Account
fall 2024, alt
fall 2023
alt
final
final final v2
Chinese 100XB
Social Sciences 145, 11 AM - 12 PM
Spring 2023 Scheduler
Choose a class
Custom
CHINESE 100XB
Advanced Chinese for Native Speakers
17/22 enrolled • 4 units
COGSCI 180
Mind, Brain, and Identity
154/155 enrolled • 3 units
BIOENG 140L
Synthetic Biology Laboratory
31/35 enrolled • 4 units
SOCIOL 117
Sport as a Social Institution
177/175 enrolled • 4 units
DATA C100
Principles and Techniques of Data Science
1100/1100 enrolled • 4 units
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
UNITS
0
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
UNITS
0
CUSTOM BLOCK
DAY AND TIME
S
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
APPLY TO
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
OUR SOLUTION
OUR SOLUTION
Plan your schedule in one place with ease!
Plan your schedule in one place with ease!
REFLECTION
Working on a feature part of a larger product taught me the importance of seeing a design from a zoomed-out product lens. Sometimes as designers, we can get really into the nitty-gritty of a specific feature and forget to consider the context of our design.
Working on a feature part of a larger product taught me the importance of seeing a design from a zoomed-out product lens. Sometimes as designers, we can get really into the nitty-gritty of a specific feature and forget to consider the context of our design.
The bigger picture!
The bigger picture!
Being particularly attached to an exploration ended up hindering me more than helping me. After developer feedback, I was able to step back, understand why the design wasn't a good solution, move on, and ultimately remember I'm designing for users, not for my own tastes.
Being particularly attached to an exploration ended up hindering me more than helping me. After developer feedback, I was able to step back, understand why the design wasn't a good solution, move on, and ultimately remember I'm designing for users, not for my own tastes.
Kill your darlings.
Kill your darlings.
Berkeleytime Design Team dinner
with Michelle, Carissa, & Joanne!