Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
Project Summary
OpenArms solves a critical problem: 60% of international students struggle to adjust to life in the US, with 75% wanting to arrive earlier but limited by housing availability. This service connects students with community hosts for temporary housing, giving them time to settle, handle key tasks like securing a driver’s license, and start their studies fully prepared.
OpenArms solves a critical problem: 60% of international students struggle to adjust to life in the US, with 75% wanting to arrive earlier but limited by housing availability. This service connects students with community hosts for temporary housing, giving them time to settle, handle key tasks like securing a driver’s license, and start their studies fully prepared.
OpenArms solves a critical problem: 60% of international students struggle to adjust to life in the US, with 75% wanting to arrive earlier but limited by housing availability. This service connects students with community hosts for temporary housing, giving them time to settle, handle key tasks like securing a driver’s license, and start their studies fully prepared.
Role
Role
Role
Role
UI/UX Designer
Service
Service
Service
Service
Product Design
User Research
Duration
Duration
Duration
Duration
5 Months
Overview
Overview
Overview
I developed OpenArms through a rigorous design process, leveraging 27 survey responses, insights from 6 secondary texts, a workshop with 6 participants, 7 in-depth interviews, and an experiment involving 30 participants. Guided by 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 value propositions, I crafted over 25 pages of designs to address the real needs of international students.
I developed OpenArms through a rigorous design process, leveraging 27 survey responses, insights from 6 secondary texts, a workshop with 6 participants, 7 in-depth interviews, and an experiment involving 30 participants. Guided by 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 value propositions, I crafted over 25 pages of designs to address the real needs of international students.
I developed OpenArms through a rigorous design process, leveraging 27 survey responses, insights from 6 secondary texts, a workshop with 6 participants, 7 in-depth interviews, and an experiment involving 30 participants. Guided by 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 value propositions, I crafted over 25 pages of designs to address the real needs of international students.
I developed OpenArms through a rigorous design process, leveraging 27 survey responses, insights from 6 secondary texts, a workshop with 6 participants, 7 in-depth interviews, and an experiment involving 30 participants. Guided by 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 value propositions, I crafted over 25 pages of designs to address the real needs of international students.
27 surveys shaped my initial winning aspiration
27 surveys shaped my initial winning aspiration
27 surveys shaped my initial winning aspiration
Survey
Survey
Survey
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
27 surveys and 6 secondary texts uncovered 6 opportunities and 12 challenges, shaping a winning aspiration: to improve international students' transitions by boosting attendance at cultural and community programs by 75%.
27 surveys and 6 secondary texts uncovered 6 opportunities and 12 challenges, shaping a winning aspiration: to improve international students' transitions by boosting attendance at cultural and community programs by 75%.
27 surveys and 6 secondary texts uncovered 6 opportunities and 12 challenges, shaping a winning aspiration: to improve international students' transitions by boosting attendance at cultural and community programs by 75%.
21 jobs-to-be-done uncovered 15 potential value propositions
21 jobs-to-be-done uncovered 15 potential value propositions
21 jobs-to-be-done uncovered 15 potential value propositions
Who what wow
Who what wow
Who what wow
Steve bank pitch
Steve bank pitch
Steve bank pitch
My research into international student profiles uncovered 18 pains and 13 gains, leading to 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 potential value propositions crafted using the Steve Blank pitch and Who-What-Wow framework.
My research into international student profiles uncovered 18 pains and 13 gains, leading to 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 potential value propositions crafted using the Steve Blank pitch and Who-What-Wow framework.
My research into international student profiles uncovered 18 pains and 13 gains, leading to 21 jobs-to-be-done and 15 potential value propositions crafted using the Steve Blank pitch and Who-What-Wow framework.
Redefining Winning Aspirations: Empowering Intl. Students to Thrive
Redefining Winning Aspirations: Empowering Intl. Students to Thrive
Redefining Winning Aspirations: Empowering Intl. Students to Thrive
Redefining Winning Aspirations: Empowering Intl. Students to Thrive
Brainstorming Workshop
Brainstorming Workshop
Brainstorming Workshop
I conducted a value proposition workshop with six participants from UNT's International Student Services, using the Rose, Thorn, Bud framework to identify the most impactful proposition. This shifted my focus to the question: 'How might we empower international students to hit the ground running before their first class?'—acknowledging the need to relearn foundational life skills across all stages of growth.
I conducted a value proposition workshop with six participants from UNT's International Student Services, using the Rose, Thorn, Bud framework to identify the most impactful proposition. This shifted my focus to the question: 'How might we empower international students to hit the ground running before their first class?'—acknowledging the need to relearn foundational life skills across all stages of growth.
I conducted a value proposition workshop with six participants from UNT's International Student Services, using the Rose, Thorn, Bud framework to identify the most impactful proposition. This shifted my focus to the question: 'How might we empower international students to hit the ground running before their first class?'—acknowledging the need to relearn foundational life skills across all stages of growth.
Introducing OpenArms
Introducing OpenArms
Introducing OpenArms
Introducing OpenArms
Business Model Canvas Design
Business Model Canvas Design
Business Model Canvas Design
Connecting intl. students with local hosts, providing affordable housing for the critical first month before classes start. This subscription-based service, in partnership with UNT, helps students complete essential tasks like securing a driver’s license and bank account, ensuring they’re ready to focus on their studies when classes starts.
Connecting intl. students with local hosts, providing affordable housing for the critical first month before classes start. This subscription-based service, in partnership with UNT, helps students complete essential tasks like securing a driver’s license and bank account, ensuring they’re ready to focus on their studies when classes starts.
Connecting intl. students with local hosts, providing affordable housing for the critical first month before classes start. This subscription-based service, in partnership with UNT, helps students complete essential tasks like securing a driver’s license and bank account, ensuring they’re ready to focus on their studies when classes starts.
A Win-Win for Students, Hosts, and UNT
A Win-Win for Students, Hosts, and UNT
A Win-Win for Students, Hosts, and UNT
A Win-Win for Students, Hosts, and UNT
Persona
Persona
Persona
Prototypes
Prototypes
Prototypes
Hosts enjoy UNT perks, students find affordable housing, and local businesses connect with thousands of new customers each semester. Most importantly, UNT strengthens its position as a global leader in supporting international student transitions through innovative, community-driven solutions.
Hosts enjoy UNT perks, students find affordable housing, and local businesses connect with thousands of new customers each semester. Most importantly, UNT strengthens its position as a global leader in supporting international student transitions through innovative, community-driven solutions.
Hosts enjoy UNT perks, students find affordable housing, and local businesses connect with thousands of new customers each semester. Most importantly, UNT strengthens its position as a global leader in supporting international student transitions through innovative, community-driven solutions.
With a simple 10-step onboarding process, host shares government ID, provides details about pets or family members, sets house rules, and is ready to welcome students into their home.
With a simple 10-step onboarding process, host shares government ID, provides details about pets or family members, sets house rules, and is ready to welcome students into their home.
With a simple 10-step onboarding process, host shares government ID, provides details about pets or family members, sets house rules, and is ready to welcome students into their home.
Incoming international students log in with their UNT email, browse available hosts, and quickly connect to book their accommodation.
Incoming international students log in with their UNT email, browse available hosts, and quickly connect to book their accommodation.
Incoming international students log in with their UNT email, browse available hosts, and quickly connect to book their accommodation.
Small business owners partner with UNT to advertise on OpenArms, offering hosts exclusive promotions.
Small business owners partner with UNT to advertise on OpenArms, offering hosts exclusive promotions.
Small business owners partner with UNT to advertise on OpenArms, offering hosts exclusive promotions.
Validated Through 7 Interviews and a 30 Participant Experiment
Validated Through 7 Interviews and a 30 Participant Experiment
Validated Through 7 Interviews and a 30 Participant Experiment
Interviews revealed that 85% of international students would use this service, highlighting concerns like scams, false information, host training, and weekly payments. Additionally, 9/10 international students, 6/10 professors, and 7/10 homeowners expressed willingness to host, confirming strong support for the concept.
Interviews revealed that 85% of international students would use this service, highlighting concerns like scams, false information, host training, and weekly payments. Additionally, 9/10 international students, 6/10 professors, and 7/10 homeowners expressed willingness to host, confirming strong support for the concept.
Interviews revealed that 85% of international students would use this service, highlighting concerns like scams, false information, host training, and weekly payments. Additionally, 9/10 international students, 6/10 professors, and 7/10 homeowners expressed willingness to host, confirming strong support for the concept.
Interviews revealed that 85% of international students would use this service, highlighting concerns like scams, false information, host training, and weekly payments. Additionally, 9/10 international students, 6/10 professors, and 7/10 homeowners expressed willingness to host, confirming strong support for the concept.
Scaling OpenArms to the future
Scaling OpenArms to the future
Scaling OpenArms to the future
In the coming months, I’ll refine OpenArms through usability testing, host onboarding, and partnerships with local businesses and UNT. To scale, I'll expand to more universities, collaborate with Handshake for job access, and partner with housing providers. I'll also work with government agencies to streamline obtaining Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses for international students.
In the coming months, I’ll refine OpenArms through usability testing, host onboarding, and partnerships with local businesses and UNT. To scale, I'll expand to more universities, collaborate with Handshake for job access, and partner with housing providers. I'll also work with government agencies to streamline obtaining Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses for international students.
In the coming months, I’ll refine OpenArms through usability testing, host onboarding, and partnerships with local businesses and UNT. To scale, I'll expand to more universities, collaborate with Handshake for job access, and partner with housing providers. I'll also work with government agencies to streamline obtaining Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses for international students.
In the coming months, I’ll refine OpenArms through usability testing, host onboarding, and partnerships with local businesses and UNT. To scale, I'll expand to more universities, collaborate with Handshake for job access, and partner with housing providers. I'll also work with government agencies to streamline obtaining Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses for international students.
