Tutorspree

UX Design
Designathon
How can we redesign Tutorspree to increase user retention and satisfaction in a manner that is relevant to the impacts of COVID-19?
PC Design System Cover
Role
Designer
Team
Sophia Rim, Designer
Sabrina Lin, Designer
Skills
Interaction Design, Visual Design
Timeline
24-25 Apr 2021
Overview
Wellesley in Product’s designathon, REVIVE, challenges participants to redesign a failed or forgotten product. 

My team’s redesign of Tutorspree received both the 1st Place Award and the Crowd Favorite Award.
Context
Background
Marketed as the “Airbnb for tutors,” Tutorspree was an educational marketplace that matched students with tutors.
Problem
Tutorspree’s in-person tutoring model became impractical and outdated, leading to a decline in growth as tutors and students bypassed the platform to avoid its 50% fee. This shift resulted in independent lesson scheduling. Furthermore, Tutorspree's heavy dependence on Google search for customer acquisition left it vulnerable to algorithm changes, which significantly impacted user numbers.
Solution
The redesigned Tutorspree app creates a gamified experience that engages both tutors and students, optimized for virtual sessions to meet modern needs.

Ideation

Our team created personas based on our findings from our research. There were 2 main types of personas we identified:

User Analysis

Student Persona

A student looking to learn from a tutor.

Student persona

Tutor Persona

A tutor looking to teach a student.

Tutor persona

Task Analysis

We identified and analyzed 4 key tasks essential to enhancing the tutoring experience:

Task analysis

Design

Creating a Design System

We developed the core elements of the new Tutorspree design system, including color and typography styles. These styles were applied to key components to effectively communicate Tutorspree's rebranding.
Tutorspree design system

Prototyping

We developed the core elements of the new Tutorspree design system, including color and typography styles. These styles were applied to key components to effectively communicate Tutorspree's rebranding.

Final Solution

The redesigned Tutorspree app: Empowering student connections through virtual tutoring, gamification, and community engagement.
  • Facilitates virtual sessions to expand the pool of potential matches and strengthen connections for students in need.
  • Boosts user retention through gamification, allowing users to earn points for successful referrals and completed tutoring sessions, which can be redeemed for discounts.
  • Implements a growth loop to drive product-led growth with referral codes that create opportunities for users to earn discounts while fostering community engagement.

Seamless Onboarding

Sign up as a tutor or student, sync your calendar, and enter your payment details.

Effortless Session Scheduling

Browse available topics, find the right tutor, and schedule your appointment.

Engage and Provide Feedback

Actively participate in tutoring sessions and share your experience through reviews.

Convenient Payment Processing

Quickly settle payments for any outstanding tutoring sessions.

Reflection

What did I learn?
My first 24-hour designathon reinforced the importance of empathizing with users in developing effective designs…
empathy-driven design
EMPATHY-DRIVEN DESIGN
Our team strengthened the product by drawing inspiration from our experiences adapting to life during the pandemic. These personal insights inform our design work, allowing us to empathize with users and develop solutions that genuinely resonate with their needs.
a rocketship
CHANGE-DRIVEN INNOVATION
Launched in 2010, Tutorspree was a pioneer in the education space. However, the unprecedented challenges of 2020 transformed many industries. By tackling the same core problem with a renewed perspective and intent, we can develop a more effective product.
What could I achieve with more time and resources?
a man on a laptop
BROADENING ACCESS BEYOND MOBILE
While mobile apps offer portability and convenience, many students and tutors would likely prefer accessing the Tutorspree experience on their laptops or desktops. Developing a scalable design system would facilitate our product's expansion across multiple platforms, enhancing accessibility and user experience.
design system
ENHANCING THE DESIGN SYSTEM
The initial components and styles were quite basic and underdeveloped. With additional time and resources, I would create a more robust design system featuring responsive grids, a full range of UI components, and polished gradient styles, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing user experience.