Major Project 1 - Tasks
Project Title: A Study Buddy App - EduBuddy
Group Name: The Study League
The purpose of this proposal development is to present EduBuddy, an innovative study companion app that enhances collaborative learning and academic motivation among students. It involves researching current EdTech trends, analyzing case studies on AI-powered tutoring, virtual study rooms, and gamified learning, and addressing technical challenges, user engagement, and design aesthetics. EduBuddy aims to bridge the gap in self-study by providing structured study environments, peer accountability, and AI-driven learning support. This project will develop a well-researched and structured proposal, ensuring that EduBuddy is a feasible and impactful solution for improving learning efficiency and accessibility.
Supervisor: Mr. Razif
My group consists of 4 members, and the following members contribute to the project:
- Yan Zhi Xuan 0369425 (Me)
- Lim Yu Xuen 0359676
- Wang Zi Long 0361141
- Jin Rong 0361701
📌 Introduction: EduBuddy is a study companion app that aims to enhance the self-study experience for students by helping them find compatible study partners. It combats common issues like procrastination, isolation, and lack of structure by offering features such as live virtual study rooms, AI tutoring, progress tracking, and gamified incentives. The app aligns with UN SDG 4 – Quality Education, and is targeted at high school and college students, online learners, and exam-focused individuals.
📌 Problem Statement: Many students find it hard to stay motivated during self-study due to the lack of structure, suitable study partners, or clear progress tracking. Distractions like social media, lack of planning, and no accountability system often lead to procrastination and poor academic outcomes.
📌 Solution: EduBuddy solves these issues by matching students with study partners based on learning style, subject, and schedule. It offers virtual study spaces, AI-powered tutors, progress tracking tools, and a reward system. Together, these features aim to boost motivation, focus, and academic performance.
📌 Aim & Objectives: The main aim is to improve self-study outcomes through collaboration and motivation. Objectives include: Connecting students with compatible partners, Enhancing collaborative learning and accountability, Improving study productivity through virtual tools and shared sessions.
📌 Target Users: Primary users are high school and college students. Secondary users include online learners, self-paced students, and exam prep groups (e.g., SPM, IGCSE, SAT).
📌 How Might We (HMW) Statement: “How might we help students find the right study partner to improve learning outcomes and motivation?”
📌 Proposal Ideas (Features):
- Smart Matching System: Pairs users based on subject, goals, and availability
- Live Study Rooms: With timers, chat, and whiteboard features
- AI Subject Tutor: Instant help through quizzes and explanations
- Study Reminders & Trackers: Daily check-ins and goal tracking
- Gamified Rewards: Points, challenges, leaderboards
- Special Add-ons: AR Study Partner and Avatar Customization for more engaging solo study experiences
- Key Partners: Educational institutions, online learning platforms, EdTech APIs, and tutors
- Key Activities: Study partner matching, virtual study rooms, community engagement, gamification, and content creation
- Resources Needed: App development team, cloud infrastructure, AI/ML specialists, educational content creators
- Value Proposition: Personalized study partner matches, interactive learning, and AI-powered support to keep users motivated and connected
- Customer Relationships: Rewards system, ratings, support channels
- Channels: Mobile app (iOS & Android), social media, and educational partners
- Customer Segments: Students (primary), online learners, exam-prep users
- Cost Structure: App development, cloud services, AI tools, marketing, customer support
- Revenue Streams: Freemium model with optional subscription, Ads and sponsored content, In-app purchases (e.g., avatar upgrades), Institutional partnerships, Premium tutoring/content sales
Proposal Development Plans
We kicked off the project in Week 1 by finalizing our title, EduBuddy, and setting our goals, target users, and timeline. We also came up with “How Might We” questions and prepared for user interviews. In Week 2, we each interviewed three students to understand their study habits and challenges. We organized the feedback using empathy maps and affinity diagrams to spot key insights. By Week 3, we submitted our proposal and used the research to create user personas and journey maps, helping us define the real problems students face. In Week 4, we began brainstorming solutions. We explored UI inspirations, sketched out ideas, developed user flows, and started choosing our design style. Week 5 was all about turning our ideas into low-fidelity wireframes and getting early feedback through usability testing. We used Week 6 to polish our designs and get everything ready for our final presentation. In Week 7, we wrapped it all up—delivering our concept presentation and submitting our ePortfolio, which documented everything from research to the final prototype.
EduBuddy vs Competitors (MoocLab, Gather, YPT, TiriMiri)
Unique Strengths of EduBuddy:
- AI Matching: Personalized buddy matching based on study styles & goals.
- Gamification: Badges, streaks, avatars, leaderboards.
- Accountability: Check-ins, reminders, progress tracking.
- Community: Structured sessions, discussions, and collaboration.
- Social Features: Chat, boards, study challenges.
- AI Personalization: Virtual study assistant and adaptive plans.
Compared to Others:
- MoocLab: Great community but outdated and lacks automation.
- Gather: Fun space but not tailored for studying or matching.
- YPT: Good for solo motivation, but no buddy system or community.
- TiriMiri: Has live webcam rooms, but no AI or gamification.
A. Quantitative Method:
- Online Survey Tool: Google Forms and distribute via WhatsApp.
- Respondents: 12
- Goal: Understand study habits, app interest, challenges, and pricing.
- Sections: User background & study routine, Experience with study buddies, Study tool preferences, Motivation & engagement, Feedback on EduBuddy
B. Quantitative Method:
- Tool: Google Docs and meeting with interviewees. (I interviewed 3 people; each member needs to interview 3 people.)
- Respondents: 12
- Goal: Explore user needs, preferences, and expectations for EduBuddy.
- Sections: Study behavior, Study buddy experiences, Digital tools, Motivation, Concept feedback
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A. Quantitative Method:
We conducted 12 interviews with students from different backgrounds, including Interior Architecture, Media, Business, Fashion, and Computer Science. We compared and analysed the information of all users to identify the common user groups. From our findings, we identified 4 main user patterns:
1. The Independent Learner (Solo Studier): Prefers studying alone using digital tools like Notion & Pomodoro timers, but struggles with procrastination and distractions. Example: Wan Qi, Yuta, Elly, Adrian.
2. The Collaborative/Social Learner: Thrives in group discussions but faces scheduling conflicts and unequal workload. Example: Kelvin, Keqi, Zheng Yi.
3. The Hybrid Learner: Prefers one-on-one study partners with structured sessions but struggles to find reliable partners. Example: Lee Yee, Hanchen, Yi Chen.
4. The Motivation-Driven Learner: Needs AI-powered tutors, gamification, and structured goals to stay engaged. Example: Xi, Jia Xuen.
FigJam Board of EduBuddy
Click HERE to view the Task 1-3 process development of EduBuddy in FigJam Board.
🔹 Lee Yee is Hybrid Learners – Prefer structured one-on-one study partnerships.
🔹 Jia Xuen is a Motivation-Driven Learners – Engage best with gamification & AI-driven features.
🔹 User Persona 1: Kelvin (The Social Learner)
- Age: 24 | Location: Puchong | Occupation: Architecture Graduate
- Prefers: Group study, discussions, in-person or structured virtual sessions
- Needs: Group coordination tool
- Pain Point: Uncooperative group members
- Quote: "I prefer studying in a group... but it slows us down when others don’t contribute."
🔹 User Persona 2: Lee Yee (The Hybrid Learner)
- Age: 21 | Location: Subang Jaya | Occupation: Interior Architecture Student
- Prefers: One-on-one structured study with digital tools
- Needs: Smart matching based on goals/schedules
- Pain Point: Unreliable or disorganized partners
- Quote: "A smart matching system would make things much easier."
🔹 User Persona 3: Jia Xuen (The Motivation-Driven Learner)
- Age: 18 | Location: Bukit Jalil | Occupation: Recent High School Grad
- Prefers: Fun, reward-based learning with gamification
- Needs: Progress tracking, badges, AI reminders
- Pain Point: Procrastination, lack of discipline
- Quote: "Earning points pushes me to study instead of just reminding me."
Our initial user journey map represents how students discover, onboard, and interact with EduBuddy.
📌 Before using EduBuddy: Users struggle with low motivation, distractions, and unreliable study partners.
📌 During their first experience: They get matched with a compatible study buddy, explore virtual study rooms, and use AI-powered guidance.
📌 Long-term engagement: Users build study habits, maintain streaks with gamification rewards, and track their progress.
🔹 User Journey Map 1 – Kelvin (Group-based Learner)
- Needs: Collaborative features, structured group tools
- Pains: Scheduling issues, inactive members
- Mood: Starts excited → gets slightly overwhelmed → ends satisfied
- Solutions: Assign group roles, focus mode, participation tracking
🔹 User Journey Map 2 – Lee Yee (One-on-One Learner)
- Needs: Reliable partner, clear matching system, session planner
- Pains: Unreliable buddies, unclear progress
- Mood: Excited → cautious → anxious → ends accomplished
- Solutions: Preview matches, checklist tools, session rewards
🔹 User Journey Map 3 – Jia Xuen (Gamified Learner)
- Needs: Motivation via games, rewards, AI tutor
- Pains: Procrastination, boredom, low retention
- Mood: Optimistic → slightly overwhelmed → ends happy
- Solutions: Interactive gamification, daily streaks, surprise challenges
Next, content structure was organized using card sorting techniques, followed by defining clear user flows with personas and flowcharts. Visual consistency was ensured by selecting a suitable color palette, typography, and UI components. Finally, low-fidelity wireframes were sketched and developed using tools like Procreate and Figma to test layout and functionality without focusing on fine details.
Duolingo is a popular language-learning app that uses gamification to drive engagement. It stands out with features like streaks, leaderboards, XP tracking, and rewards to maintain user motivation. Its success lies in quick onboarding, clear progress tracking, and social elements that encourage friendly competition. These strategies help boost learning consistency and can be applied to other educational apps to improve user retention.
Study Bunny combines productivity with a cute, interactive pet. Users earn coins by studying and spend them on in-app rewards for their bunny. The app includes timers, study stats, to-do lists, and flashcards. While it’s engaging, the UI has usability issues like cramped icons and unclear features. Still, it offers a fun experience that supports focus and tracking, making it ideal for users needing motivation through rewards and visuals.
Using the card sorting method, features were grouped into six categories: Social Learning, Productivity Tools, Gamified Learning, AI Personalization, Notifications, and Account Management. Each category includes tools like discussion forums, Pomodoro timers, leaderboards, avatar customization, and alerts.
The information architecture map shows how EduBuddy’s content is structured for smooth navigation. The home page centers on social learning, branching into productivity tools, gamification, AI features, alerts, and user settings—ensuring all key functions are logically organized.
EduBuddy’s MVP focuses on three core features: smart study partner matching, AI-powered tutoring, and study scheduling with reminders. Matching helps users find compatible partners to boost collaboration. The AI tutor supports self-study without needing a real tutor, while schedules and reminders keep students organized and consistent.
1. Grid System: The layout uses a mobile-friendly grid based on the iPhone 15 Pro Max frame, with a 2-column auto layout for consistency and responsiveness in UI design.
2. Color Scheme: The palette includes 7 brand colors (blues and purples) and 6 secondary colors (neutrals and pastels) to create a calming and youthful aesthetic.
3. Typography: The app uses the Poppins typeface in various weights and sizes (5px–30px). It offers clean readability and a modern, friendly look suitable for digital interfaces.
4. Iconography: Icons are monochromatic and rounded for a soft, approachable feel. Sizes range from 15×15 to 24×24 px, using dark gray as the default color.
5. Logo: The logo features a smiling globe above an open book, representing global learning, connection, and motivation. Sparkles add a sense of achievement and fun.
Our color scheme blends soft purples and deep blues, creating a balance between focus and creativity, while bright blues add a sense of energy. it reflects a calm, and student-friendly aesthetic
The typography is popping which is modern and readable, here’s the UI components as design elements and there iis our initial idea of our brand icon.
Our app can be downloaded from the App Store, from then users are welcomed to Edubuddy with our landing pages which shows our logo, and a short carousel introducing the main features of our app. Users are then required to fill in their information and preferences to create a user profile before starting their study journey with Edubuddy.
- Have special features of our app (Why is it better than existing apps)
- Do Business Model Canvas to generate ideas
- Have reason why we want to do a topic (What is the issue, What is the problem we want to solve?)
- AR Mode, Chat Mode, Video Call Mode, AI Bot
- Create own avatars to spawn them next to you
- Start on google form Interview, can have LIVE Interview too
- Include demographics and age (persona)
- Make sure google form questions are all required
- Closed ended questions are more recommended
- No need record LIVE interviews
- Have to analyse key insights
- Improve arrangement of slides from why, how, aim, app introduction, timeline etc.
- Features / Content slide can include catchphrase
- While presenting, run through all the questions quickly and just go straight into key insights
- What is the current studying phases of people studying, pinpoint the issues and expand from there to solve those issues
- Based on assumptions, or some sort of current happening, derive a new proposed journey map
- User pattern means characteristics of users, find common and similar patterns
- Continue on developing user insights and data from user interview
- Develop user personas and user journey map
- Double confirm the amount of personas with Ms Wong
- Can prepare wireframe ideas
- Start on card sorting, user flow, architecture map, and find visual references
- Develop individual moodboards and lofi wireframes or sketches
- Approved arrangement of slides and content
- Can have own wireframes and include in slides for presentation
- Pomodoro timer can be bigger in wireframe design
- Include individual work for sketches and wireframe for submission
- Cart Sorting / Architecture Map just have one enough (the ones in our presentation slides looks the same)
While conducting surveys and interviews, I started noticing patterns in how students approach their studies. I observed that many people wanted to connect with others who shared similar study goals or even just similar personalities. I also saw that motivation was a recurring issue—many of us procrastinate or get easily distracted when studying alone. These insights helped shape the direction of the app. For example, I realized how much potential a simple feature like streak tracking or encouragement messages could have in keeping users engaged. It was exciting to see how enthusiastic people were about the idea of turning studying into a fun and social experience.
From this project, I found that compatibility in study habits is just as important as matching based on subjects. Students want to work with peers who share their learning pace and style. I also discovered that while AI tutors were welcomed, they were seen more as a helpful add-on rather than the main focus—real human interaction still matters. Another key finding was that students really cared about privacy and safety. Many wanted control over who could contact them, which made me rethink some of the connection features and profile settings.
Overall, EduBuddy helped me grow not just as a designer, but as someone who understands the value of empathy in problem-solving. The process taught me to listen more, iterate often, and design with real people in mind. I'm proud of what I created, and I’m even more excited to see where it can go from here.
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