Our company advertises thousands of products online. However, we currently rely on slow modes of communication with our customers. Users have requested the functionality to contact sellers directly via a real-time chat function.

We would like to work with students to design a general chat interface.

This will involve several different steps for the students, including:

• Conducting background research on our users and products.
• Producing a wireframe or mock-up of the resulting system’s user interface.
• Testing the design with users and making improvements.

Bonus steps in the process would also include:

• Prototyping multiple possible chat function designs.

By the end of the project, students should demonstrate:

• Understanding of our company and customers
• Design of a chat function wireframe or mockup
• Refinement of the design through testing results

Bonus steps would include:

• Providing multiple wireframes or mockups for different designs

Final deliverables should include

• A final report.
• A presentation.

Students will connect directly with us for mentorship throughout the project. We will be able to provide answers to questions such as:

• Our current products and platform
• Input on choices, problems or anything else the students might encounter.

In order to complete this project, students can self-teach, but it is beneficial to be familiar with:

• UI / UX design principles

Nice to haves for students include

• Knowledge of usability testing

Again, students can complete this project without any of the prior knowledge listed here. Students will be expected to research and learn more about the above as the project goes along.

We can provide students with:

• A walkthrough / tutorial of our current products and platform