KIDMATCH
DISCOVER THE
JOY OF LEARNING
Designer: Ece Yorganci
Programs: Figma, Figjam
The Challenge
Finding the right preschool can be a difficult task for any parent, but the challenge intensifies when you have multiple children with different needs and personalities. this was the problem I faced which eventually led to the creation of KidMatch.
As a parent of two wonderful yet different children. I faced challenges in my search for the perfect preschool. each child had unique requirements and preferences, making the search not just about good preschool, but finding the right fit for each child.
Key Challenges
My first child is a thoughtful and introspective girl who required a setting that provided gentle encouragement and creative learning. In contrast, my younger child needed a preschool that offered a variety of activities to channel her energy positively.
Juggling work and the responsibilities of parenthood, I found it incredibly time-consuming to research, visit, and evaluate different preschools. The lack of a centralized platform meant spending hours on various websites and making numerous phone calls
I sought a platform where I could access trustworthy reviews and feedback from other parents.
This personal struggle revealed the gaps in the preschool search process for parents. It became clear that a tailored, user-friendly solution was necessary so parents could search easily, gather reliable information, and cater to the needs of each child. This realization helped me to build KidsMatch, an app designed to transform the preschool search experience for parents like me.
Results from Interviews
Understanding the needs and preferences of our target users was important in developing the KidMatch app. The interview questions were crafted to uncover deep insights. I focused on understanding their challenges in finding preschools, their past experiences with existing solutions, and their desired features in an ideal app. I reached out to 8 interviewees between the ages of 25-45 years old. I asked the following questions:
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What are the most important factors for you when choosing a preschool?
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What challenges have you faced in finding a preschool?
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How do you typically gather information about preschools?
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Have you used any apps or websites to help find a preschool? What did you like or dislike about them?
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How important are recommendations or reviews from other parents in your decision-making process?
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The interview results offer a window into the priorities and challenges faced by parents in the preschool selection process. The responses to the interview questions offered insights into priorities when selecting a preschool.
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5 out of 8 were particularly keen on schools offering a balance of play-based and structured learning.
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7 out of 8 mentioned difficulties in finding comprehensive and reliable information about different preschools.
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8 out of 8 wanted customizable search options based on specific preferences like educational methods, location, and cost.
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6 out of 8 emphasized the importance of location
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5 out of 8 actively seek out parent reviews and discussions on social media platforms and educational forums to gather a community perspective.
Voices from the Field: Unveiling Parental Insights
"I start with a Google search, then I usually check out the local parent groups on Facebook. It’s helpful to see other parents' honest opinions and experiences."
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"I used a website once, but it lacked personalization. It gave me a list of every preschool in my area, but didn't help me figure out which one would be the best fit for my child's needs."
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I start by asking my neighbors and colleagues for recommendations. Then I'll do some online searches and read up on each preschool's curriculum and parent reviews."
User Personas
Based on the interview results, I created two personas, Laura and Ethan. These personas will guide the design and development of my app, ensuring that it effectively addresses the specific requirements of your target user base.
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User Journey
Having established our personas, Laura, the 'Busy Working Mom', and Ethan, the 'First-time Dad', we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by parents in their quest to find the ideal preschool. As we transition from these detailed character sketches into the practical aspects of the app's design and functionality, our focus shifts to creating user flows, features, and interfaces that resonate with Laura's and Ethan's daily lives.
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Sketches- where creativity meets functionality
These preliminary sketches represent the raw, unfiltered birth of ideas - a visual brainstorm where concepts begin to take shape. From rough outlines to more detailed drawings, each sketch captures the essence of KidMatch's user interface elements, layout structures, and interaction patterns.
Wireframes
Some ideas that seemed promising on paper didn’t translate as well in the digital realm. This transition allowed me to iterate and make necessary modifications – tweaking navigation layouts, adjusting button sizes, or repositioning key information for better user flow and accessibility.
User Experience Design
Onboarding
To create the onboarding process, I focused on simplicity and user-friendliness. The goal was to make signing as straightforward as possible, requiring users to sign up with their email and enter basic information. This approach ensures a seamlessly entry point into the app, minimizing barriers for users starting the journey to find the perfect preschool.
Questionnaire
Following the onboarding, users are guided through a questionnaire designed to customize their search. This step involves answering a series of questions about their preferences and needs for a preschool. This tailored approach ensures that the results presented on the homepage are closely aligned with what users are looking for, making the search process efficient and personalized.
Dashboard
Upon completing the questionnaire, users are welcomed to a dashboard that serves as the heart of the app. This personalized hub presents a curated selection of preschools based on their specific criteria., along with tools and features to refine their search.
School Information
the school information page is designed to offer parents comprehensive details about each preschool. Here, you'll find essential information like hours of operation, tour dates, monthly tuition rates, and an overview of the curriculum.
Schedule a Tour
The "Schedule a Tour" page is where parents can take the first step in exploring potential preschool options for their child.
