Problem
Problem
Problem
Why do Chinese college students prefer social platforms for selling used items instead of using a centralized trading platform?
Why do Chinese college students prefer social platforms for selling used items instead of using a centralized trading platform?
Why do Chinese college students prefer social platforms for selling used items instead of using a centralized trading platform?
Furnishing my first home in the U.S. was tough—furniture was expensive, and platforms like WeChat Group, Xiaohongshu, and Facebook Marketplace felt unreliable. I need a secure, student-focused platform for a safer, more convenient experience.
Furnishing my first home in the U.S. was tough—furniture was expensive, and platforms like WeChat Group, Xiaohongshu, and Facebook Marketplace felt unreliable. I need a secure, student-focused platform for a safer, more convenient experience.
Furnishing my first home in the U.S. was tough—furniture was expensive, and platforms like WeChat Group, Xiaohongshu, and Facebook Marketplace felt unreliable. I need a secure, student-focused platform for a safer, more convenient experience.
Solution
Solution
Solution
A centralized trading platform offering a secure online system, student identity verification, delivery and consignment services.
A centralized trading platform offering a secure online system, student identity verification, delivery and consignment services.
A centralized trading platform offering a secure online system, student identity verification, delivery and consignment services.
Project Type
UX/UI Design
Service Design
Duration
8 weeks
Tools
Figma
Photoshop
Role
UX/UI Designer
Project Type
Project Type
UX/UI Design
UX/UI Design
Service Design
Service Design
Role
Role
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Photoshop
Photoshop
Duration
Duration
8 weeks
8 weeks
My Design Process
My Design Process
My Design Process
Research
Research
Research
Survey
Survey
Survey
To understand if other Chinese international students faced similar challenges, I surveyed 30 students about their practices and preferences in trading used items.
To understand if other Chinese international students faced similar challenges, I surveyed 30 students about their practices and preferences in trading used items.
To understand if other Chinese international students faced similar challenges, I surveyed 30 students about their practices and preferences in trading used items.
Types of used items(Multiple Choice)
Types of used items(Multiple Choice)
Types of used items(Multiple Choice)
75.86%
Furniture
20.00%
Cookwares
40.00%
Electronics
30.00%
Study
3.33%
Clothes
13.33%
Accessories
75.86%
75.86%
Furniture
Furniture
40.00%
40.00%
Electronics
Electronics
3.33%
3.33%
Clothes
Clothes
20.00%
20.00%
Cookware
Cookware
30.00%
30.00%
Study
Study
13.33%
13.33%
Accessories
Accessories
Platforms used for trading(Multiple Choice)
Platforms used for trading(Multiple Choice)
Platforms used for trading(Multiple Choice)
62.07%
WeChat Group
10.34%
Facebook Market
6.90%
Online Forums
58.62%
Xiaohongshu
20.69%
eBay
62.07%
62.07%
WeChat Group
WeChat Group
10.34%
10.34%
Facebook Market
Facebook Market
6.90%
6.90%
Online Forums
Online Forums
58.62%
58.62%
Xiaohongshu
Xiaohongshu
20.69%
20.69%
eBay
eBay
Problems encountered(Multiple Choice)
Problems encountered(Multiple Choice)
Problems encountered(Multiple Choice)
89.72%
Scam
48.72%
Low Quality
?
67.33%
Unclear Price
33.49%
Delivery Issues
25.43%
Scheduling conflicts
89.72%
89.72%
Scam
Scam
48.72%
48.72%
Low Quality
Low Quality
?
?
67.33%
67.33%
Unclear Price
Unclear Price
33.49%
33.49%
Delivery Issues
Delivery Issues
25.43%
25.43%
Scheduling conflicts
Scheduling conflicts
Findings
Findings
Findings
Chinese international students often trade used items on social platforms lacking identity verification, formal systems, and delivery services, leading to major challenges.
Chinese international students often trade used items on social platforms lacking identity verification, formal systems, and delivery services, leading to major challenges.
Chinese international students often trade used items on social platforms lacking identity verification, formal systems, and delivery services, leading to major challenges.
Problems Identified
Problems Identified
Problems Identified
Scam Risk
?
Unclear Price
Low Quality
No Delivery
Scheduling conflicts
Scam Risk
Scam Risk
?
?
Unclear Price
Unclear Price
Low Quality
Low Quality
No Delivery
No Delivery
Scheduling conflicts
Scheduling conflicts
Business Analysis
Business Analysis
Business Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
My research shows most students trade used items mostly on WeChat Groups, Xiaohongshu, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. I analyzed their models to highlight my platform's advantages.
My research shows most students trade used items mostly on WeChat Groups, Xiaohongshu, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. I analyzed their models to highlight my platform's advantages.
My research shows most students trade used items mostly on WeChat Groups, Xiaohongshu, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. I analyzed their models to highlight my platform's advantages.
Findings
Findings
Findings
Lack of...
Lack of...
Lack of...
Clear price
Clear price
Clear price
Secure payment
Secure payment
Secure payment
Consignment options
Consignment options
Consignment options
Delivery services
Delivery services
Delivery services
After-sales service
After-sales service
After-sales service
Identity verification
Identity verification
Identity verification
Ideation
Ideation
Ideation
How to...?
How to...?
How to...?
A centralized platform with dedicated services—like Amazon but tailored for students—could greatly enhance the used-item trading experience.
A centralized platform with dedicated services—like Amazon but tailored for students—could greatly enhance the used-item trading experience.
A centralized platform with dedicated services—like Amazon but tailored for students—could greatly enhance the used-item trading experience.
Key Features
Key Features
Key Features
Student email and ID are required for registration
Student email and ID are required for registration
Student email and ID are required for registration
Trading system with clear price
Trading system with clear price
Trading system with clear price
Delivery services(Official Delivery, Seller Delivery, Self-pickup)
Delivery services(Official Delivery, Seller Delivery, Self-pickup)
Delivery services(Official Delivery, Seller Delivery, Self-pickup)
Consignment options
Consignment options
Consignment options
System Map
System Map
System Map
A centralized trading platform could involve different parties. To better understand their relationships, I designed the system map for the process.
A centralized trading platform could involve different parties. To better understand relationships, I designed the system map for the process.
A centralized trading platform could involve different parties. To better understand their relationships, I designed the system map for the process.
Service Blueprint
Service Blueprint
Service Blueprint
Since I’m not familiar with the workflow of an online trading system, I did a research on eBay’s service blueprint and created one tailored to my platform.
Since I’m not familiar with the workflow of an online trading system, I did a research on eBay’s service blueprint and created one tailored to my platform.
Since I’m not familiar with the workflow of an online trading system, I did a research on eBay’s service blueprint and created one tailored to my platform.
Design
Design
Design
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
To visually map out the paths users may take, I created a user flow chart for the app.
To visually map out the paths users may take, I created a user flow chart for the app.
To visually map out the paths users may take, I created a user flow chart for the app.
Size & Style
Size & Style
Size & Style
To ensure a consistent, user-friendly, and scalable design that meets usability standards, I finalized the app's size and style guidelines.
To ensure a consistent, user-friendly, and scalable design meets usability standards, I finalized app's size & style guidelines.
To ensure a consistent, user-friendly, and scalable design that meets usability standards, I finalized the app's size and style guidelines.
Wireframe
Wireframe
Wireframe
To evaluate the usability of the app's interactions and functions, I developed the first version of the app and conducted user testing to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
To evaluate the usability of the app's interactions and functions, I developed the first version of the app and conducted user testing to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
To evaluate the usability of the app's interactions and functions, I developed the first version of the app and conducted user testing to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
Prototype
Prototype
Prototype
I created a high-fidelity prototype to refine the user experience, ensure seamless navigation, and accurately represent the app’s visual identity for user testing.
I created a high-fidelity prototype to refine the user experience, ensure seamless navigation, accurately represent app’s visual identity for user testing.
I created a high-fidelity prototype to refine the user experience, ensure seamless navigation, and accurately represent the app’s visual identity for user testing.
Student Verification
Student Verification
Student Verification
First-time users are required to upload their USC ID card to complete the registration process and gain access to the app.
First-time users are required to upload USC ID card to complete registration process and gain access to the app.
First-time users are required to upload their USC ID card to complete the registration process and gain access to the app.
Browse Item and Seller’s Info
Browse
Browse Item and Seller’s Info
Users can browse by category, view item details (specs, seller info, delivery, comments), and access seller profiles with stats, ratings, and feedback. They can follow or chat for seamless interaction.
Users can browse by category, view item details (specs, seller info, delivery, comments), and access seller profiles with stats, ratings, and feedback. They can follow or chat for seamless interaction.
Users can browse by category, view item details (specs, seller info, delivery, comments), and access seller profiles with stats, ratings, and feedback. They can follow or chat for seamless interaction.
Purchase
Purchase
Purchase
Users can purchase items by providing their address and selecting a delivery option: seller delivery, official delivery, or self-pickup.
Users can purchase items by providing their address and selecting
a delivery option: seller delivery, official delivery, or self-pickup.
Users can purchase items by providing their address and selecting a delivery option: seller delivery, official delivery, or self-pickup.
Bookmark & Cart
Bookmark & Cart
Bookmark & Cart
Users can add items they are interested in to their bookmarks or shopping cart, where they can edit the list, remove items, or proceed with purchases.
Users can add items they are interested in to their bookmarks or shopping cart, where they
can edit the list, remove items, or proceed with purchases.
Users can add items they are interested in to their bookmarks or shopping cart, where they can edit the list, remove items, or proceed with purchases.
Consignment
Consignment
Consignment
Sell items directly or via consignment by selecting a category, adding descriptions, uploading photos, and answering item-specific questions to publish to market or sell to us.
Sell items directly or via consignment by selecting a category, adding descriptions, uploading photos, and answering item-specific questions to publish to market or sell to us.
Sell items directly or via consignment by selecting a category, adding descriptions, uploading photos, and answering item-specific questions to publish to market or sell to us.
Iteration
Iteration
Iteration
Usability Test
Usability Test
Usability Test
To evaluate users' experience with the CampusCircle, I conducted usability testing with students, recording interactions, gathering feedback, and analyzing concerns to identify key issues.
To evaluate users' experience with CampusCircle, I conducted usability testing with students, recording interactions, gathering feedback, and analyzing concerns to identify key issues.
To evaluate users' experience with the CampusCircle, I conducted usability testing with students, recording interactions, gathering feedback, and analyzing concerns to identify key issues.
Improvement
Improvement
Improvement
Based on the usability test results, I redesigned the UI interface to improve the user experience.
Based on the usability test results, I redesigned the UI interface to improve the user experience.
Based on the usability test results, I redesigned the UI interface to improve the user experience.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
Improved Visual Hierarchy & Layout
Improved Visual Hierarchy & Layout
Improved Visual Hierarchy & Layout
Improved spacing, larger icons, and structured grids enhance navigation and clarity, while aligned text reduce clutter for better user experience.
Improved spacing, larger icons, and structured grids enhance navigation and clarity, while aligned text reduce clutter for better user experience.
Improved spacing, larger icons, and structured grids enhance navigation and clarity, while aligned text reduce clutter for better user experience.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
Detailed Delivery Options
Detailed Delivery Options
Detailed Delivery Options
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
From Text to Visual Categorization
From Text to Visual Categorization
From Text to Visual Categorization
The new design replaces text-heavy category selection with image-based product categorization, improving scalability, recognition, and ease of selection for a more intuitive consignment process.
The new design replaces text-heavy category selection with image-based product categorization, improving scalability, recognition, and ease of selection for a more intuitive consignment process.
The new design replaces text-heavy category selection with image-based product categorization, improving scalability, recognition, and ease of selection for a more intuitive consignment process.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
Adding Price Estimation
Adding Price Estimation
Adding Price Estimation
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Instead of posting immediately, users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Instead of posting immediately, users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
In the revised design, I added a price estimation step before listing to help sellers set informed prices. Instead of posting immediately, users receive a suggested price based on product details, reducing uncertainty and increasing trust.
Revised Prototype
Revised Prototype
Revised Prototype
Click to Explore More
Click to Explore More
Click to Explore More
Takeaway
Takeaway
Takeaway
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
