University of Nottingham Online

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The Problem

The University of Nottingham's online learning platform featured solid pedagogic theories and well-crafted content, but lacked user-centered design. The interface was unintuitive with complicated navigation and inconsistent patterns that prevented students from fully engaging with valuable educational materials.

My role was to advocate for the end user through comprehensive user research and evidence-based design principles. By identifying pain points, restructuring disconnected learning journeys and simplifying interactions, I helped transform the platform into an intuitive experience that maintained academic excellence while better supporting effective learning outcomes.

Research

To improve the UoNO (University of Nottingham Online) learning platform, I led a six-week research sprint focused on usability, user needs, and content engagement. My goal was to better understand how learners experienced the platform — and how I could make it clearer, faster, and more supportive.

Research Goals

I set out to answer:

Does the language and structure make sense to learners?
Is the learning material delivered in the right way?
Are key user needs being met?
Is the platform intuitive to navigate?
How strongly do learners feel part of the UoN?

Process

My research blended multiple methods across the live course cycle:

Baseline Surveys (SUS) — to measure usability.
Task-based Observations — capturing frustrations and successes.
Focus Groups — gathering feedback during live sessions.
Fresh Eyes Testing — using new users to spot usability blockers.
Insight Analysis — pulling key trends and needs.

A flowchart showing the user research process from survey to recommendations.

Key Insights

Usability

Strengths: Learners appreciated the structured content, short (15–20 min) lectures, and interactive elements.
Challenges: Issues included difficulties downloading materials, uploading homework, pacing for professional learners, and understanding assessment processes.

A line graph showing UoNO usability scores against the average score.

Learning Materials

Most Engaging Formats: Case studies, drag-and-drop activities, and quiz summaries ranked highest for engagement and learning goal contribution.
Pain Points: Learners found it difficult to locate supplementary materials and desired more downloadable resources.

A chart comparing learning material engagement with learning goal effectiveness.

User Needs

While many users felt confident in applying their learning and accessing content flexibly, gaps remained in peer interaction, assessment clarity, and pace management.

Trust & Brand

Users recognised UoNO’s strong academic reputation and professionalism but desired a clearer expression of brand values and a stronger community feeling.

Recommendations at a Glance

Simplify navigation and assessment workflows

Boost download options and summaries.

Clarify help, support, and live session expectations.

Strengthen brand storytelling throughout the platform.

Development

Through detailed analysis of user interactions, I identified several opportunities to optimise the platform experience. My process included:

User Journey Mapping

I created comprehensive user journey maps to identify bloated processes within workflows. This visualisation revealed unnecessary steps and redundant confirmation points causing user friction. By mapping entire journeys from start to completion, I pinpointed specific areas where flows could be streamlined—particularly in confirmation processes that were adding complexity without value.

The original version of the submission flow, highlighting inefficiencies and redundant actions in the current process.

A streamlined version of the submission flow that reduces steps and simplifies interactions for a more efficient user experience.

Rapid Wireframing

To ensure design consistency across the platform, I employed rapid wireframing techniques to standardise layouts and interaction patterns. This approach established consistent spacing, typography hierarchies, and structural elements across different sections. The technique allowed for quick iteration while maintaining visual cohesion between related screens and components.

Wireframes for plain text pages (1 column, 2 column and 3 column versions)

Wireframes for multiple choice and quiz pages

Component Design Systems

I developed robust design systems for core components including navigation elements, action buttons, and content containers. By colour-coding interactive elements and establishing consistent sizing and spacing rules, I created an intuitive visual language that guides users through complex processes while maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout the platform.

Button states from the University of Nottingham design system

These methods resulted in more intuitive user processes with clearer paths and reduced cognitive load, while establishing a scalable design framework that ensures consistency across all platform touch-points.