MN Code Camp & MN Code Challenge
Defining Design Strategy in a Complex Problem Space
Tools: Stakeholder interviews, secondary research, design strategy, personas, journey mapping, interactive prototyping, design analysis and iteration, video presentation
MN Code Camp is a local organization that strives to make science, engineering, math, coding and technology accessible and approachable to youth of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It hopes to lower and remove as many barriers to entry as possible by providing low-cost options for learning and practicing coding in a safe environment. Currently, MN Code Camp summer programs are offered through local community education sectors throughout the greater Twin Cities area. While planning for the upcoming season, our UX team was requested to help their program develop and grow. At the end of the summer 2018, the origination will launch its first ever Coding Championship. It is a unique opportunity to expand its visibility and reach.
The Goals:
Increase overall awareness and accessibility of information to MN Code Camp and its program offerings
- Launch the Code Challenge Event and create a presence of information and platform for registration
- Integrate the Challenge event and classes to reinforce their growth and success
ReBrand and Marketing Plan
MN Code Camp and MN Code Challenge name, logo, and styling are rebranding proposals made by our team. The company, formerly known as AbaMath, used remnant branding from a previous initiative under which tutoring was the primary focus of the origination. AbaMath is not reflective of the current service offerings. The client expressed interest in suggestions for rebranding. A key step in our design strategy was to create a strong brand identity that would enrich visibility across a wide variety of media. The MNcodecamp and MNcodechallege brand are simple, connected, and clearly represent their activity. This rebrand will assist in spreading awareness of the organization and offerings.
Our Team's Design Strategy Proposal is focused on a series digital touchpoints, including social media, a website landing page rebrand for MNcodecamp, and new design and development of the MNcodechamptionship site.
User Personas and Journey Mapping:
The team developed three key personas that would assist in understanding the different users within the MN Code Camp and MN Code Challenge Experience. These personas informed the creation of the user journey map. This allowed us to identify key pain points and opportunitie area that would guide next steps in the design strategy.
Kyle: 40 years old
He used to work in corporate but decided to become a stay at home dad when his kids were starting elementary school.
He is an active member of the Parent Teacher Organization at his kids’ school.
While he loves to spend full days with his kids in the summer, he also wants his kids to learn in the summer,. He often enrolls them in programs that are similar to their interests.
May: 38 years old
She works full time using various forms of technology on a regular basis, for her work and personally.
She loves that her kids are interested in different things, but also wants them to be trained in things she finds important for their futures.
Some things fall through the cracks, as her job keeps her very busy. While her kids might miss out on some activities, she often finds other options that are similar or related.
Logan: 12 years old
Logan is very motivated kid that is interested in learning about how things work.
She often finds the information about activities she want to do all by herself. While she isn't sure what learning to code entails, she loves playing on the computer so she thinks the program will be fun.
This journey map outlines our users experiences with decision making and exposure to the MNCodeCamp and MNCodeChallenge.
Kyle finds out about MNCode Challenge and the MNCodeCamps through a news program on TV. He does more research to make an informed decision about the benefits of the program for his kids.
After looking for activities for her children, May comes across the Community Ed summer camps booklet. She decides on code camp because she has been looking for ways to get her kids more involved in technology.
Logan heard about code camp from a variety of sources like social media and her science teacher at school. She is eagar to learn code and thinks that bot coding looks interesting.
MNCodeChallenge Prototype
Prior to our work with Abamath, there was no online presence for the MN Code Challenge. This prototype was created to give the Code Challenge a central location for online registration. A mobile version has also been created. Our research in journey mapping and personas revealed that our users are busy and on the go, so supporting registration from a variety of devices was important for our team to drive enrollment numbers for the summer event.
Timeline and Evaluation
Below is an Implementation Roadmap outlining the proposed timeline associated with rolling out the MNCodeCamp and MNCodeChallenge Design Strategy.
An important additional component here are the key metrics that will be used to measure success.
These success metrics are:
- MNCode Camp Enrollment Numbers and Registration Page Views
- Ratio of catalog listed courses: completed/held courses
- Social Media Page View and Shares
- MNCode Challenge Registration over time 2018 - 2019
