Academica

Client:
No client

Date:
Mar 2025 – Apr 2025

Services:
UX/UX design

Academica – Rethinking
Online Learning UX

A personal redesign project focused on simplicity, smart UX, and elegant UI.

Project Overview

Academica is a personal passion project, born from a desire to elevate the online learning experience. This redesign isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about fundamentally improving usability and emotional engagement in digital education.

What is Academica?

A conceptual online course application, reimagined for a superior user experience.

What is Academica?

A conceptual online course application, reimagined for a superior user experience.

Tools Utilized

Figma (Smart Animate, Variables), advanced UX Flow Design methodologies.

Identifying the Problem

Many popular online learning platforms often suffer from cluttered interfaces, dated visual design, and inconsistent user experiences. This can lead to learner fatigue and a disengaged educational journey.

"What if online learning felt more human, elegant, and motivating?"

Outdated UI

Visual designs that feel behind the curve, lacking modern aesthetic appeal.

Cluttered UX

Overwhelming information density and unintuitive navigation paths.

Lack of Engagement

Generic interactions that fail to foster a connection with the learning material.

Project Goals & Hypotheses

My primary objective for Academica was to create an online learning environment that not only looks good but deeply resonates with users, making education an enjoyable and seamless process.

Visual Clarity

Simplify interfaces for better readability and reduced cognitive load.

Seamless Onboarding

Design an intuitive first-time user experience, guiding them effortlessly.

Personalization​

Tailor content and experiences based on user preferences and progress.

Emotional Engagement

Utilize color, motion, and structure to foster a positive, motivating learning atmosphere.

User Journey: From Splash to Course Home

Understanding the user’s path is crucial. This journey map details the key touchpoints and micro-interactions designed to create a smooth, engaging experience from the very first tap.

1
Splash Screen
Dynamic logo animation (Figma Smart Animate).
2
Welcome Modal
Engaging greeting to set a positive tone.
3
Sign Up
Streamlined process with clear progress indicators.
4
Interests Selection
Personalized content suggestions based on user input.
5
Quick Survey
Gathering preferences for a tailored experience.
6
Home Dashboard
Personalized content and quick access to courses.
7
Course Page
Intuitive layout for learning and tracking progress.

Key UX Highlights

Academica focuses on thoughtful design decisions that enhance usability, personalization, and user engagement throughout the learning process.

Personalized Onboarding

  • Interest selection for tailored content feeds.
  • “How did you find us?” for insights.

Smart Learning System

  • Course resume functionality for seamless continuation.
  • Dedicated transcript and summary tabs for easy review.

Engagement & Tracking

  • Interactive progress bar during sign-up.
  • Profile statistics bar chart for study time visualization.

Visual System & Brand Palette

Academica focuses on thoughtful design decisions that enhance usability, personalization, and user engagement throughout the learning process.

Typography: Source Sans Pro

Color

Usage

Purpose

Purple Gradient

CTA & Brand Accents

Primary brand color, calls to action, visual emphasis

Neutrals

Text & Background

Readability, clean interface, content focus

Blue

Tabs, Progress Indicators

Informational states, current selection, progress tracking

Green

Success Feedback

Positive affirmations, completion indicators

Red

Alerts, Errors

Warnings, critical feedback

Brown

UI Warmth, Secondary Elements

Adding warmth and depth to certain UI components

Concluding Insights

Academica is more than just a redesign; it’s a testament to the power of thoughtful UX/UI in transforming digital experiences. It demonstrates a holistic approach, from micro-interactions to overall user flow.

Realistic Interaction Logic

Implemented complex behaviors using Figma variables for authentic user experiences.

Deep Emotional Branding

Cultivated a unique brand identity that evokes joy and motivation in learning.

Full User Flow

Designed a comprehensive journey from initial entry to final course certification.

Thoughtful Micro-Interactions

Integrated subtle animations and transitions for an intuitive and delightful interface.

© All rights reserved by Sayed Ali Afghan