Major Project 1

04/02/2025 - 19/03/2025 (Week 1 - Week 7)

Yong Xiao Tong / 0368290
Major Project 1 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media 

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Instruction

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Task 1

After forming a group in Week 1, we immediately explored four different project ideas: a mental health app, a career planning website/app, a pet matcher website, and an online survey platform.

We initially chose to work on the career planning website/app, but after a consultation, we realized that similar tools already exist online with well-developed features. After careful consideration, we decided to focus on a survey platform because we identified a gap in how students distribute surveys and collect responses.

Students typically use Google Forms to create surveys and share them through WhatsApp, which limits responses since the data comes from their immediate circle (friends and acquaintances) rather than a broader audience.

Another issue we identified was that most existing survey platforms require paid plans, so we wanted to create a free platform specifically for students.

This led to our final project idea: a survey platform designed for students that enhances data accuracy and engagement while providing incentives for participation.

We then proceeded to refine our project statement, define objectives, and identify our target users.

User Research

To support our project direction, we conducted user research through interviews, with each team member required to interview three people.

I found three individuals to interview via Zoom, and all three interviews were conducted in Chinese, as they preferred to speak in their native language.

Interviewee 1 - A Foundation Student from UCSI University

Interviewee 2 - A Degree Student from UCSI University

Interviewee 3 - A Degree Student from APU

After conducting the interviews, I analyzed my data and identified the following key findings:

Students frequently need to conduct surveys as part of their academic work to collect data for their assignments. This is especially true for UI/UX design students, who rely on data to make informed decisions. Most students create surveys using Google Forms and share them within their friend groups via WhatsApp. This method is commonly used by nearly all students.

1. Students rely on social networks to distribute surveys, limiting their reach.

2. Many participants provide low-effort responses, affecting data quality.

3. There is no motivation for respondents to engage in surveys unless they are personally interested.

Task 2

Based on my research findings, we developed user personas to represent different types of users.

We also mapped out the user journey to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement, ensuring that the platform provides a seamless experience for both survey creators and respondents.

Task 3

For the next stage, we focused on structuring the platform's navigation and user flow.

To ensure a smooth user experience, we conducted a closed card sorting method for our information architecture.

Information Architecture:
The core sections of the platform: Landing Page, Explore Page (where surveys are listed), Survey Builder Page, Community Forum Page, Profile Page, Leaderboard Page, and Help & Support Page.

User Flow: Mapped out the steps for both survey creators and respondents, start from signing up.

We looked at various survey platform designs for interface design references. 

Then, we defined our website's colours and fonts.

Each of us then designed our own wireframes.

Miro Link: https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVLj9T9mg=/

Refinements After Presentation Feedback

After presenting our project, the supervisors provided feedback:

• Target Audience Was Too Limited
  Initially, we focused only on students, but I expanded the audience to include: Organizations & Corporations, Educational Institutions, and General Public (Individuals part of these organizations)
  
  
• Monetization Strategy Was Unclear
  Adjusted to a Paid Survey Pinning model: 
  1. TrustForm remains free for all users
  2. Organizations can pay to pin surveys for better visibility
  3. Pinned surveys stay at the top for a set duration (24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days).
  
  
• Students Have Limited Funds
  Instead of expecting students to pay, the new monetization model focuses on organizations who need high-quality responses.
  
  

Finalized Project Details

TrustForm: A Secure and Reliable Survey Platform

Introduction: TrustForm is a secure and reliable online survey platform designed for organizations, institutions, and student researchers to create surveys, collect responses, and engage with participants.

Core Features:

• Email Verification: Ensures only authorized members from organizations, institutions, and students can register.

• Reward System: Participants earn points that can be converted into cash.

• Leaderboard & Community Forum: Makes the platform more engaging and interactive.

• Paid Survey Pinning: Users can pay to boost survey visibility.

Points & Withdrawal Policy:

1. Earning Points: Users earn 3 points per completed survey.

2. Point Conversion: 1 point = MYR 0.10.

3. Minimum Withdrawal: Users must accumulate 100 points (MYR 10) to withdraw.

4. Withdrawal Process: Payments are made via bank transfer, e-wallet, or other methods within 3 business days.

Final Submission

TrustForm 

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REFLECTION

Over the past seven weeks, we developed TrustForm, a secure survey platform aimed at improving data reliability and engagement. The project evolved through research, design, and feedback-driven refinements. Initially, we explored multiple ideas before finalizing the survey platform. Through user research, we identified key challenges, such as low-quality responses and limited audience reach. This led to the development of user personas, journey maps, wireframes, and user flows to shape the platform’s structure and experience.

A major challenge was the monetization strategy. After our presentation, supervisors raised concerns about the limited target audience and feasibility. In response, we expanded the target to organizations and institutions and introduced paid survey pinning for visibility, making the platform more viable.

This project deepened my understanding of UX research, design thinking, and iteration. Feedback played a crucial role in refining TrustForm, reinforcing the importance of adaptability in product development. Overall, this experience has strengthened my skills and provided valuable insights into creating user-centric digital solutions.