On the first day, she carefully instructed us about how everything works, which was helpful.

He was never serious and was loved by everyone. Sometimes, I felt like my lecture was a party in a nightclub.

She was a very silent but talented illustrator. Her software never worked, and no one could explain why.

She spent most of her time taking extra classes but did everything with great attention.

Focus on students

Focus on students

HSE Art And Design School

the mobile design course

New program

New program

The HSE Art & Design School in Saint Petersburg was expanding its program and offered my work partner and me the chance to participate.

The HSE Art & Design School in Saint Petersburg was expanding its program and offered my work partner and me the chance to participate.

New course

New course

They started the first mobile design course. HSE in Moscow had already had a huge expertise but it was a new direction for St.Petersburg.

They started the first mobile design course. HSE in Moscow had already had a huge expertise but it was a new direction for St.Petersburg.

40 students

40 students

We planned to teach a few groups of students in the first year and chose the individual approach as the primary strategy.

We planned to teach a few groups of students in the first year and chose the individual approach as the primary strategy.

Group 1

2019

I will never need this for the real

Group 2

2020

I will start to work the following year

consulted with students

approved by HSE Art & Design School

How can we make the course for each of them

How can we make the course for each of them

How can we make the course for each of them

Teach useful skills

Software

Platform guides

introduction

Wireframing

User flows

CJM

User & Business needs

ux

moodboards

Interface design

animations

prototyping

Ui + Interaction

Make it interesting

Make it interesting

Make it interesting

Fictional characters instead of personas

Every student had a project that they presented during the final exam. They had no real clients yet, which meant they could create their projects in a more playful environment. Project themes included a popular type of app + a fictional character.

+36 characters

Help to achieve better results

Help to achieve better results

Help to achieve better results

Support

There were online consultations for those who needed some additional time.

Online

Preparations

This is a standard practice to have some extra consultation hours before exams. We did it as well.

offline

Discussion

We've organised a group chat with students for all the discussions and coordination.

async

The map for Amélie

The map for Amélie

The app helps to find new interesting activities nearby and activities based on the mood.

The app helps to find new interesting activities nearby and activities based on the mood.

Maria Chernova

Maria Chernova

2020

2020

The map for Amélie

The app helps to find new interesting activities nearby and activities based on the mood.

Maria Chernova

2020

Who is the customer?

Empathy is a key for a good interface design. That's why the first goal was to understand the characters.

User needs

Unusual places

Escaping the ordinary

Helping the others

User pains

Lack of adventure

Routine

Solitude

Interests

Skimming stones, noticing details that others don't see, breaking the sugar crust with a teaspoon, turning around in the dark and looking at the faces of other viewers.

- We all need a way to relax.
- I skim stones.

The app helps to find joy in simple things.

Amélie sometimes needs help because she is feeling down. The app helps to find interesting activities based on mood or just random activities.

scenario 1

Amélie is bored

Finds an interesting place where there are some things to do

Saves the memory

scenario 2

She feels sad

Finds an activity for her mood

Engages in the activity and feels better

scenario 3

She is out of ideas what to do

Finds something unusual

Receives the new experience

The interface

I love this visual. It demonstrates the concept of sensitivity in an indirect way and evokes a subliminal feeling of tenderness. At the same time, it stays modern and fits the year's design trends.

All the interactions are simple and focused on a seamless experience. The app shows the relevant information at every moment and adapts to the user's goals and location.

more projects in portfolio

It’s even worse

at the university

Start of the
Global Pandemic

All-remote

By the start of the pandemic, I was working as a solo lecturer. I had a group of students just before exams when lockdowns started. Luckily, the University coordinated the situation very quickly. We had some additional time and all the possible help with organisational questions.

Everyone are panicked

problem 1

Students worked more together.

solution 1

I was available 24/7.

solution 2

I reviewed projects in Figma async.

solution 3

I provided additional help for students who had no stable Internet connection.

solution 4

Everything is online

Everything is online

Everything is online

problem 2

New normal

We all had the illusion that the remote would last for a month. In reality, many teams and companies are still working this way today.

I'm very happy we have chosen to adapt quickly and not wait for a miracle. Even a part of me wished the miracle to happen.

We not only passed all the exams, but we also received the experience of managing difficult situations and good teamwork.

Results

Thank you for watching!
Let’s keep in touch

My average response time is approximately 1 - 2 days.

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january 2024

Thank you for watching!
Let’s keep in touch

My average response time is approximately 1 - 2 days.

There are a few other stories. Which one interests you?

january 2024

Thank you for watching!
Let’s keep in touch

My average response time is approximately 1 - 2 days.

There are a few other stories. Which one interests you?

january 2024