Skillogram
Background: Students in both academia and industry often find themselves struggling with a significant skill gap, which can hinder their professional growth. Many students seek opportunities to up skill but struggle to find adequate support within their peer groups. At the same time, there are students with valuable expertise who are eager to share their knowledge, yet no platform currently exists to facilitate this direct exchange.
Without such a space, the potential for a strong, collaborative community remains untapped, leaving students without the support they need to tackle real-world challenges together. If a solution were created to seamlessly connect students seeking to learn with those willing to teach, it could not only bridge the skills gap but also foster a thriving community built on shared growth and collaboration.
Motivation: As a university student, I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to bridge the gap between what we learn in class and the skills actually needed in the real world. I’ve seen so many peers struggle—not because they lack motivation, but because they don’t have access to the right guidance or resources. At the same time, I know students who have incredible expertise in coding, design, finance, or other areas but have no structured way to share what they know.
What’s frustrating is that we’re all here, in the same space, facing similar challenges, yet there’s no easy way to connect those who want to learn with those who can teach. It feels like a missed opportunity—imagine how much stronger we’d all be if we could learn from each other, support each other, and build something meaningful together.
This isn’t just my story; it’s the reality for students across the world. We need a space where upskilling isn’t just about taking courses alone but about real collaboration—where we can exchange knowledge, grow together, and prepare for the challenges ahead. If such a platform existed, it wouldn’t just help students fill skill gaps; it would create a thriving, supportive community where learning is truly a shared experience.
Skillogram
Category: Mobile design
Type: Case study
duration: 5 months | April 2024
Problem statement:
Students in both academia and industry face a significant skill gap that hinders their professional growth. Many struggle to find accessible and effective upskilling opportunities within their peer networks, despite the presence of students with valuable expertise. The lack of a structured platform to facilitate direct skill exchange limits collaboration and prevents students from addressing real-world challenges together. A solution that connects learners with peers who can mentor them would bridge this gap and foster a supportive, knowledge-sharing community.
How can we build a platform that effortlessly brings together students eager to learn and individuals willing to teach, creating a supportive and collaborative community that helps bridge the skill gap?
One of the Personas created
Research Methodology:
To create a platform that truly addresses the needs of students, I took a user-centered approach from the very beginning. I interviewed a diverse group of students across NC State University, gathering insights to build personas that would guide the design and functionality of the platform.
In parallel, I conducted a comparative study with existing platforms like Coursera and Udemy to understand their strengths and gaps. This helped me pinpoint areas where our platform could offer a more personalized, interactive experience for learners and mentors alike.
Using Balsamiq, I created wireframes that mapped out the core features of the platform. To ensure these designs resonated with real users, I conducted additional user research, collecting feedback that informed the next iteration of the design. I made sure to incorporate user and accessibility solutions, ensuring the platform was intuitive and welcoming for all students.
User Research and Testing:
To ensure the platform met user needs, I began with a user study where I set clear hypotheses and identified key metrics such as time spent per session, number of interactions, and overall ease of use. By defining dependent and independent variables, I was able to assess user engagement and satisfaction accurately.
In the user testing phase, I used the Wizard of Oz technique to simulate specific interactions and gather immediate feedback. This allowed me to observe user behavior in real-time and adjust design elements accordingly. I also conducted A/B testing to compare variations of the design and determine which changes improved user experience.
To validate the results, I analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, standard deviation, and error of the mean, ensuring the decisions were based on solid insights.
The Solution: A fun, interactive app that brings students together to learn from each other! With skill points for every session and interaction, learning becomes a rewarding experience that helps bridge the skill gap while building a supportive community.
Every bit of feedback was valuable. By continuously iterating on the design and observing user interactions, I was able to optimize the platform—making it more user-friendly and aligned with the real needs of the users. The process was not just about creating a platform; it was about truly listening to the users and ensuring that their voices were reflected in every aspect of the design.
Copyright by Mugdha Joshi 2025
Made with blood, sweat and sparkles in Raleigh, North Carolina
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