The Project

The ProjectTextversity is an application set up for connecting college students that are looking to buy and sell college textbooks. At the starting of every semester students are stressed. Students need to purchase textbooks for their new classes. Other students have textbooks sitting at home which they no longer need from previous semesters. How can we provide students with an easy, fast and stress free experience to buy and sell textbooks. 
The Goals and Challenges Design a mobile interface (iOS platform) to provide students with an easy, fast and stress free experience to buy and sell textbooks. 

Research & Understand

SurveyA survey was conducted where forty students were surveyed with an average time of two minutes. The goal of the survey was to gain insight on how most students bought and sold their textbooks. According to the survey results amazon was the most popular method for both buying and selling textbooks. However, although a lot of students tried selling their textbooks on amazon, not all of them were successful. Additionally, many students sell their textbooks to new students. However, new students don't always know which students are selling their used textbooks. Vise versa, students that want to sell their used textbooks don't always know who to sell their textbook to. Lastly, the number one complaint that all students had was that buying textbooks are just too expensive. 
Competitor AnalysisI reviewed existing applications on which students can buy and sell textbooks such as amazon, Chegg Books, and Craigslist. Although, students can buy and sell textbooks through these applications; these applications provide other services as well. They were not merely just for buying and selling textbooks. 
Pain Points• Unable to sell used textbooks • Want to sell used textbooks on campus but don't know who to sell to • Want to buy used textbooks• Want to buy cheap textbooks • Want an application merely just for textbooks

Personas

Mark Smith | 18 years old | College Freshman
User StoryI'm a freshman in college. I need to buy textbooks for my classes, but they are so expensive. I can buy cheap textbooks online, but they will take a long time to get shipped. I wish there was a faster and easier way to buy textbooks. 
Goals• Fast and easy way to buy cheap textbooks 
Pain Points• Expensive textbooks • Shipping delays 
Emily Rogers | 21 years old | College Senior
User StoryAs a college senior I have so many textbooks that I won't be using. I'm trying to sell my textbooks online, but it takes so long for someone to purchase them. Even if someone buys a textbook I have to box it and pay a costly shipping fee. Selling textbooks online is such a hassle and i'm not making a great profit. 
Goals• Sell used college textbooks and make a profit without too much hassle 
Pain Points•Trying to sell textbooks• Boxing and shipping textbooks to seller is costly and time consuing • Long wait for someone to buy textbook • Has textbooks that aren't being used

User Journey Map

The user journey is mapped according to two users; users selling textbooks and users buying textbooks.

User Flow

The user flow shows the users journey wile trying to sign in, creating an accounting or forgetting password.

Sketches & Wireframes

When creating wireframes I focused on mapping a user flow beginning with a sign up procedure.
Next, I created wireframes mapping a search flow and inputting a map where the user can pick a location to meetup.
Next, I created wireframes to add payment options and user flow procedure to sell textbook.
Lastly, I created further error screens of misshapes that can occur while the user is navigating the application.

Decide & Design

High Fidelity Prototype

The first screen the user will see once they open the application.
Login credentials to allow user to login. 
Sign up profile for the user to create an account.
Sign up profile filled out. 
Profile tab on the left hand corner allowing user to add bank account information for any payments received.
If user forgets e-mail they can reset it through their e-mail. Rest instruction will be sent to e-mail.
Home page where user has the option to buy or sell textbooks. 
Textbook information needed in order to sell textbook. 
Textbook information filled out.
Confirming information is filled correctly.
Search bar for searching textbooks.
Search results of students with textbook.
User selling textbook.
User selling textbook.
User selling textbook.
User selling textbook.
Meetup location for picking up textbook.
Details filled out.
Cash or credit payment option.
Credit Card information for payment.
Credit card information filled incorrectly.
Payment error message.
Confirmation receipt.
Purchase and selling history.
User bank account information.
Error message for incorrect information.
Bank account information filled out.
Confirmation success message.

Digital Prototype

SummaryThe Textversity application connects college students throughout the United States. Students get to decide how much they want to sell their textbooks for. Every design choice aimed to make buying and selling textbooks easy, fast and efficient; all while maintaining a clean interface. 
Next Steps• Add donating textbook options• Create messaging options • Revise user profile tab





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