ReFinder
A journey to an AI-powered research dashboard
UI/UX
Product Design
Research
Role
User Research, UI/UX Design, User Testing
Duration
1 week
Tools
Overview
ReFinder is the result of our team's exploration into the landscape of AI companions and digital assistants, which grows increasingly prevalent in student life. What do students expect from AI companions? What's working? What's not? And what's missing?
ReFinder is an AI-powered dashboard that aims to enhance its users' researching experience.
The Context
Students today are surrounded by AI companions that offer everything from personalized study support to focus coaching, wellness tracking, and even emotional encouragement.
These tools are growing more advanced and more pervasive, yet the impact they have on student life is still unfolding.
Our Process
Emphasize & Define
User Research
Problem Definition
Personas
Journey Mapping
Ideate & Design
Sketch
Wireframe
Prototype
Test & Iterate
User Testing
Future Iteration
User Reseach
Goals
Understand how students use and perceive AI
Identify opportunities to improve that experience
Design and test a product concept
AI is a Productivity Tool
AI saves time and simplifies complex information
“It helps me get things done faster”
“I just use it when I’m behind”
Credibility & Quality
Students wish AI tools could cite credible academic sources
Personal Frustrations
Users worry about over reliance and lack of boundaries
“AI makes people stop thinking critically”
The "Intentional" User
Marcus
19-year-old male
2nd year undergraduate student, majoring in political science
Acknowledges the presence of AI but tries to be more selective of the instances he uses it (i.e., when under time pressure)
The "Frequent" User
Maya
25-year-old female
Full-time 3rd year nursing student, starting hands-on training and clinical rotations in the emergency department
Uses AI daily to expedite studies, reading, and overall preparations
Prioritizing One : Marcus
The university is a research-driven institution that values thoughtful, deliberate engagement. Marcus is the type of student — intentional, analytical, and academically rigorous — that aligns with both the university’s culture and the goals of this project.
In short, Marcus represents the kind of user we’re designing for: someone who doesn’t just want faster answers, but better ones.
Identifying Opportunities
Scenario
With midterms approaching, Marcus has several assignments due, including a heavily research-based paper.
Pain Points
Gathering sources causes overwhelm due to information overload.
Uncertainty about the credibility of AI outputs
AI feedback is too generic.
Concern about over reliance and about whether his work truly reflects his understanding.
The Opportunity
Marcus does not just want help writing faster; he wants help thinking critically.
The Ideas that Stuck
Research is Digestible
Users have the ability to easily save, search through, and organize their research.
Sources are Credible
Academically-credible database to ensure accurate information.
AI Supports Efficiency
AI summarizes, suggests related sources and keywords, and supports critical thinking.
Research is connected
Follow your research journey and connect it via a mind or heat map.
Increased fidelity with the idea that the more functionality the prototype had, the more opportunities we had to identify gaps in understanding.
User Testing
Clean and simple UI
Straightforward navigation
Effective use of AI
Confusing diction
Desired features were missing
Purpose of research map is unclear
Next Steps
Expand Testing
Broaden the testing across a diverse population of students
More Iterations
Iterate on user testing feedback to ReFinder’s user interface
Collaborate
Establish partnerships with academic institutions
Explore
Integrate AI into ReFinder, thoughtfully and transparently