TutorConnect
A UX Platform to Help Foreign Students Find Tutors
Timeline
6 weeks (Conceptual Project)
My Role
UX Designer, Researcher
Tools
Figma, Miro, Google Forms
The Problem
"Expat families in Singapore struggle to find qualified, trustworthy tutors who understand their children's specific academic needs and cultural context."
Through conversations with expat parents, I discovered that finding the right tutor involves navigating language barriers, understanding different education systems, and building trust with someone who will work closely with their children.
Existing platforms were either too generic or didn't address the unique challenges faced by international families adjusting to Singapore's education system.
Research & Discovery
User Interviews
I conducted interviews with 8 expat parents and 5 tutors to understand both sides of the marketplace. Key insights included:
Parent Pain Points
- • Difficulty verifying tutor credentials
- • Language and cultural barriers
- • Unclear pricing and scheduling
- • Limited trial options
Tutor Challenges
- • Finding consistent students
- • Managing multiple schedules
- • Building trust with new families
- • Understanding student backgrounds
User Personas
Design Process
User Flow
I mapped out the complete journey from initial search to booking confirmation, focusing on reducing friction at each step.
Wireframes
Starting with low-fidelity wireframes, I focused on information architecture and core functionality before adding visual design.
Final Design
Key Features
Smart Matching
Algorithm considers subject expertise, language preferences, location, and teaching style to suggest the best tutor matches.
Verified Profiles
Comprehensive verification system including background checks, qualification verification, and parent reviews.
Trial Sessions
Low-commitment trial sessions allow families to test compatibility before committing to regular tutoring.
Integrated Scheduling
Built-in calendar system with automatic reminders and easy rescheduling for both parties.
High-Fidelity Mockups
Results & Key Learnings
Project Impact
While this was a conceptual project, user testing with 6 expat families showed strong positive response to the core features, particularly the cultural matching and trial session concepts.
- • 85% of test users found the matching algorithm helpful
- • 90% valued the trial session feature
- • 78% felt more confident about tutor selection
What I Learned
This project reinforced the importance of understanding cultural context in UX design. The needs of expat families went beyond simple tutor matching—they needed trust-building mechanisms and cultural understanding.
I also learned the value of designing for both sides of a marketplace, ensuring that the platform serves tutors' needs as well as families' needs for long-term sustainability.