Stud Budd
Stud Budd
Stud Budd
Helps students in text-heavy subjects study solo or with friends.
App
App
App
Educational
Educational
Educational
User research
User research
User research
14 weeks - 2024
14 weeks - 2024
Problem
Problem
Problem
Students in text-heavy degree programs struggle to retain information, stay motivated while studying alone, and manage large amounts of material — especially when on the go.
Students in text-heavy degree programs struggle to retain information, stay motivated while studying alone, and manage large amounts of material — especially when on the go.
Solution
Solution
Solution
A collaborative study tool that helps students understand and remember content through shared questions, repetition, and quick-review formats — whether they’re studying solo or with others.
A collaborative study tool that helps students understand and remember content through shared questions, repetition, and quick-review formats — whether they’re studying solo or with others.
Research
Research
Memory isn’t just about repetition, it’s about how we interact with information.
Memory isn’t just about repetition, it’s about how we interact with information.
Memory isn’t just about repetition, it’s about how we interact with information.
Effective memorization is more than just repetition — it relies on understanding, organization, and active engagement. Research shows that self-testing, speaking out loud, creating associations, and writing information down help embed knowledge more deeply. Students also naturally lean on different learning modes — reading, speaking, or listening — and tend to combine at least two. When information is linked, categorized, and discussed, it becomes easier to recall and apply in real exam settings.
Effective memorization is more than just repetition — it relies on understanding, organization, and active engagement. Research shows that self-testing, speaking out loud, creating associations, and writing information down help embed knowledge more deeply. Students also naturally lean on different learning modes — reading, speaking, or listening — and tend to combine at least two. When information is linked, categorized, and discussed, it becomes easier to recall and apply in real exam settings.
Target audience
Target audience
Motivated students ages 21-28 juggling text-heavy degrees and multiple exams each semester.
Motivated students ages 21-28 juggling text-heavy degrees and multiple exams each semester.
Motivated students ages 21-28 juggling text-heavy degrees and multiple exams each semester.
“There’s really no difference between multiple choice and open questions — I forget the same things either way.”
“There’s really no difference between multiple choice and open questions — I forget the same things either way.”
“There’s really no difference between multiple choice and open questions — I forget the same things either way.”
“There’s really no difference between multiple choice and open questions — I forget the same things either way.”
“Repetition helps me memorize, but questions are what really help me understand.”
“Repetition helps me memorize, but questions are what really help me understand.”
“Repetition helps me memorize, but questions are what really help me understand.”
“Repetition helps me memorize, but questions are what really help me understand.”
“I don’t trust my memory. If I get something wrong, it’s usually because I just didn’t remember it well enough.”
“I don’t trust my memory. If I get something wrong, it’s usually because I just didn’t remember it well enough.”
“I don’t trust my memory. If I get something wrong, it’s usually because I just didn’t remember it well enough.”
“I don’t trust my memory. If I get something wrong, it’s usually because I just didn’t remember it well enough.”
“I like reviewing on the go — reading summaries on the train or while waiting.”
“I like reviewing on the go — reading summaries on the train or while waiting.”
“I like reviewing on the go — reading summaries on the train or while waiting.”
“I like reviewing on the go — reading summaries on the train or while waiting.”
“When someone else asks a question I hadn’t thought of — that’s when I really get the material.”
“When someone else asks a question I hadn’t thought of — that’s when I really get the material.”
“When someone else asks a question I hadn’t thought of — that’s when I really get the material.”
“When someone else asks a question I hadn’t thought of — that’s when I really get the material.”
User goals
User goals
Students are thru navigating pressure, time limits, and the need for real understanding.
Students are thrugh navigating pressure, time limits, and the need for real understanding.
Students are thru navigating pressure, time limits, and the need for real understanding.
Understand, not just memorize
Students want to grasp the material deeply, not just remember it short-term. They need ways to connect ideas and prepare for open-ended questions.
Understand, not just memorize
Students want to grasp the material deeply, not just remember it short-term. They need ways to connect ideas and prepare for open-ended questions.
Stay motivated with others
Group study gives students accountability, motivation, and a sense of support — especially during stressful exam periods.
Stay motivated with others
Group study gives students accountability, motivation, and a sense of support — especially during stressful exam periods.
Know where they stand
It’s hard to track progress when studying alone. Students want to identify knowledge gaps and focus their efforts more effectively.
Know where they stand
It’s hard to track progress when studying alone. Students want to identify knowledge gaps and focus their efforts more effectively.
Use downtime to review
Group study gives students accountability, motivation, and a sense of support — especially during stressful exam periods.
Use downtime to review
Group study gives students accountability, motivation, and a sense of support — especially during stressful exam periods.
pain points
pain points
From forgotten facts to study overload, those barriers slow students down and keep them from feeling confident.
From forgotten facts to study overload, those barriers slow students down and keep them from feeling confident.
From forgotten facts to study overload, those barriers slow students down and keep them from feeling confident.
Memory as a barrier
Students often find their memory limits get in the way of truly understanding the material.
Memory as a barrier
Students often find their memory limits get in the way of truly understanding the material.
Overwhelmed by volume
When facing large amounts of material, students feel anxious and don’t know where to start.
Overwhelmed by volume
When facing large amounts of material, students feel anxious and don’t know where to start.
Studying alone feels isolating
Solo learners report loneliness and uncertainty about their level of understanding.
Studying alone feels isolating
Solo learners report loneliness and uncertainty about their level of understanding.
On-the-go studying is hard
Students who want to review while commuting struggle with long texts and lack of quick, digestible formats.
On-the-go studying is hard
Students who want to review while commuting struggle with long texts and lack of quick, digestible formats.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Group learning improving consistency and confidence
Group learning improving consistency and confidence
Group study boosts consistency
Students who learn together will stay more engaged and better understand how well they know the material.
Group study boosts consistency
Students who learn together will stay more engaged and better understand how well they know the material.
Question-based learning enhances understanding
Engaging with questions about a text helps students grasp the meaning, not just memorize it.
Question-based learning enhances understanding
Engaging with questions about a text helps students grasp the meaning, not just memorize it.
Group study reduces isolation
Studying with peers can ease the emotional burden of solo learning and create a sense of support and motivation.
Group study reduces isolation
Studying with peers can ease the emotional burden of solo learning and create a sense of support and motivation.
Marketing
Marketing
Ads for young busy student
Ads for young busy student
The campaign uses two platforms — trains and Instagram Stories — to reach the target audience naturally in their daily flow. The ads are designed to spark curiosity, not explain the product directly. Instead of explaining, the ads trigger recognition — a quiet nudge toward a better way to learn.
The campaign uses two platforms — trains and Instagram Stories — to reach the target audience naturally in their daily flow. The ads are designed to spark curiosity, not explain the product directly. Instead of explaining, the ads trigger recognition — a quiet nudge toward a better way to learn.
User flow
User flow
UI
Design system
Design system
Design system
The design system is built to balance clarity with energy — using a bright, optimistic color palette that keeps the interface feeling light, even when the content is dense. Typography choices prioritize readability across both mobile and web, with clear hierarchy for quick scanning during fast-paced study sessions. Visual elements are kept clean and structured, while playful touches add warmth and a sense of collaboration. The system is rooted in the needs of busy students: it’s informative without being overwhelming, academic without feeling rigid, and designed to turn exam prep into something that feels a little more human — and a lot more doable.
Full design
Final product
Final product
This short video walks through the key areas of the app—from choosing your exams and discovering who's studying with you, to practicing questions in different formats and collaborating with friends. The design balances structure and energy: bright colors, friendly illustrations, and accessible layouts keep the experience informative yet motivating. The final section highlights group chats tied to each exam, encouraging meaningful peer interaction right where it’s needed. Altogether, the interface is built to reduce overwhelm and support confident, collaborative learning.
Full design
Final product
The design system is built to balance clarity with energy — using a bright, optimistic color palette that keeps the interface feeling light, even when the content is dense. Typography choices prioritize readability across both mobile and web, with clear hierarchy for quick scanning during fast-paced study sessions. Visual elements are kept clean and structured, while playful touches add warmth and a sense of collaboration. The system is rooted in the needs of busy students: it’s informative without being overwhelming, academic without feeling rigid, and designed to turn exam prep into something that feels a little more human — and a lot more doable.