The Problem
Finding the right book for school can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. High textbook costs, out-of-stock campus stores, long delivery times, and confusing online listings often leave students stressed, behind in class, or forced to compromise with outdated or incomplete materials. There’s no easy way to buy or sell second-hand books within local student communities.
The Solution
Introducing peer-to-peer book marketplace designed to make coursebook access simple, affordable, and local. By connecting students nearby, the app enables fast, budget-friendly transactions for buying and selling second-hand books. With intuitive search, trusted profiles, and doorstep exchanges, students can focus more on learning and less on logistics.
Second Chapter
2024
Product Researcher & Designer
DESIGN PROCESS
The process began by mapping out a painful customer journey to uncover key challenges in accessing course books—such as price comparison fatigue, limited availability, and delayed deliveries. These insights guided the creation of an information architecture that prioritized ease of navigation, local peer-to-peer exchanges, and faster access to affordable textbooks.
THE VALIDATION
Why focus on second-hand books when there are larger educational issues at play? Because this is a real, everyday struggle students face.
Finding the right book—on time and within budget—can be overwhelming and discouraging. By making access easier through peer-to-peer exchange, we’re not just solving a small inconvenience—we’re addressing a widespread, overlooked barrier to learning and academic success.
THE RESEARCH
After identifying how difficult it is for students to access required books, I set out to understand their real experiences.
I surveyed 20 students and conducted 5 in-depth interviews to explore how they currently find, borrow, or buy textbooks. While many students rely on word of mouth or expensive online platforms, I discovered a clear gap: the lack of a simple, community-based solution that connects students directly to each other for affordable, second-hand book exchanges.
Project Duration
10 weeks
Design Lead
Ashna Damani
Client
Google UX Design Certification Project
Project Duration
10 weeks
Design Lead
Ashna Damani
Client
Google UX Design Certification Project
My Role
As a solo designer, I led the project from research to high-fidelity design, driven by my own experiences and observations around the challenges of accessing affordable course books. From identifying the problem to crafting the solution, I independently managed every stage.
Design Process
User Surveys & Interviews, Insight Synthesis, Persona, Customer Journey Mapping, Pain Point Analysis, Problem-Solution Framing, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Prototyping, UI Design, Branding.
INTRODUCTION
