Courseware
Designing a scalable, responsive learning experience that powers Arizona State University’s vision for a future-ready high school.
Next-Gen digital high school
Designing a scalable, responsive learning experience that powers Arizona State University’s vision for a future-ready high school.
ASU (Arizona State University) partnered with Smart Sparrow to explore how their existing ASU Prep Digital content could be transformed into adaptive, interactive courseware. Our goal was to showcase the vision of a next-generation digital high school; one that integrates adaptive learning, personalization, and scalable design.
The Challenge
ASU wanted to modernize their digital high school platform by reusing their existing courseware in a smarter, more adaptive way. They needed a scalable solution that delivered personalized learning at high production quality while integrating with their LMS and digital learner profiles.
My role
As the UX/UI Designer, I worked closely with learning designers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and the creative lead to design adaptive, high-quality learning experiences. My role spanned the full project lifecycle—from research and requirements gathering to concept development and delivery.
I conducted user research, synthesized insights, and pitched new concepts to stakeholders. I created high-fidelity design proposals, incorporated client feedback, and iterated quickly to align with both pedagogical goals and platform constraints. I also collaborated with developers to understand technical limitations and gather implementation feedback early.
My responsibilities included
I conducted user research, synthesized insights, and pitched new concepts to stakeholders. I created high-fidelity design proposals, incorporated client feedback, and iterated quickly to align with both pedagogical goals and platform constraints. I also collaborated with developers to understand technical limitations and gather implementation feedback early.
My responsibilities included
- Research — Synthesis — Ideation — Prototying — Delivery
- Prototyping (low-high fidelity)
- Usability testing
- Mobile-first responsive design
- Following ASU brand guidelines
- Creating & maintaining component libraries - Design System
Current State
New design
My Process
My approach to design blends curiosity, creativity, and analytical thinking. I begin by immersing myself in the broader context; understanding the user, the business, and the system before framing hypotheses and exploring solutions through iteration and experimentation. While my mindset remains rooted in empathy and problem-solving, I tailor my process depending on the challenge whether it’s crafting an adaptive learning experience or building a scalable SaaS platform.
1. Framing the problem:
Every project begins with alignment. Product owners and clients typically provide a design brief with the business goals, user needs, personas, and technical context. We kick off with a collaborative brainstorming session to unpack the problem space, define priorities, clarify constraints, and set expectations around timelines.
2. Research & Empathy Building:
I begin with competitive analysis to understand how others have approached similar problems; identifying both best practices for inspiration and gaps in the market we can address. ASU provided us with detailed personas, which helped bring our users to life and allowed us to imagine a slice of their daily routines:
What motivates them?
What are their pain points, habits, and ambitions?
When and how do they interact with the product?
What device are they using—and under what context?
What archetype do they resemble: Humanistic, Methodical, Skeptic, or Competitive?
This helps me design not just for functionality, but for relevance, behavior, and mindset.
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3. Journey Mapping & Flow Design:
Using the persona lens, I build out the user journey, identifying key friction points, needs, and moments of opportunity. This evolves into:
4. Wireframes, Moodboards & Exploration:
Once the flow is validated, I translate it into low-fidelity wireframes and create moodboards to explore visual language, tone, and accessibility.
1. Framing the problem:
Every project begins with alignment. Product owners and clients typically provide a design brief with the business goals, user needs, personas, and technical context. We kick off with a collaborative brainstorming session to unpack the problem space, define priorities, clarify constraints, and set expectations around timelines.
2. Research & Empathy Building:
I begin with competitive analysis to understand how others have approached similar problems; identifying both best practices for inspiration and gaps in the market we can address. ASU provided us with detailed personas, which helped bring our users to life and allowed us to imagine a slice of their daily routines:
What motivates them?
What are their pain points, habits, and ambitions?
When and how do they interact with the product?
What device are they using—and under what context?
What archetype do they resemble: Humanistic, Methodical, Skeptic, or Competitive?
This helps me design not just for functionality, but for relevance, behavior, and mindset.
3. Journey Mapping & Flow Design:
Using the persona lens, I build out the user journey, identifying key friction points, needs, and moments of opportunity. This evolves into:
-
Clear information architecture
-
Initial user flows
- Early feedback loops with the team to refine structure and direction.
4. Wireframes, Moodboards & Exploration:
Once the flow is validated, I translate it into low-fidelity wireframes and create moodboards to explore visual language, tone, and accessibility.
5. Collaboration & Feedback:
I collaborate closely with learning designers, SMEs, developers, and stakeholders throughout the process; making sure feedback is continuous, not just at milestones. This includes client check-ins to ensure alignment and buy-in before moving into visual polish.
I collaborate closely with learning designers, SMEs, developers, and stakeholders throughout the process; making sure feedback is continuous, not just at milestones. This includes client check-ins to ensure alignment and buy-in before moving into visual polish.
6. Prototyping & Usability Testing:
I develop clickable prototypes to simulate the experience and test it with real users and stakeholders. Usability insights drive refinements to flow, layout, and interaction patterns especially important for learners with varying digital fluency.
7. High-Fidelity Design & Handoff:
After validating the experience, I move into high-fidelity mockups, guided by brand and accessibility standards. I also support handoff by working closely with developers—sharing annotated files, edge case considerations, and responsive behavior guidelines to ensure design integrity at every breakpoint.
I develop clickable prototypes to simulate the experience and test it with real users and stakeholders. Usability insights drive refinements to flow, layout, and interaction patterns especially important for learners with varying digital fluency.
7. High-Fidelity Design & Handoff:
After validating the experience, I move into high-fidelity mockups, guided by brand and accessibility standards. I also support handoff by working closely with developers—sharing annotated files, edge case considerations, and responsive behavior guidelines to ensure design integrity at every breakpoint.
Solution
- Demonstrating adaptive learning, asset integration, thoughtful learning design, integration with LMS and the Digital Learner Profile.
- Bundling the three lessons, this Smart Course demonstrates engaging course designs, learning apps, and high production value.
- To complete the picture, we’re introducing you to the “Hive”, a digital learn-space designed from the ground up to inspire you for what ASU Prep Digital could be.
Impact & Outcome
The ASU board of directors were highly impressed with the outcome. Analytics revealed a 43% increase in student engagement within the first month of implementation.
Hi there 👋 I’m Dot!
You know… a Digital Online Tutor!
Dashboard
The Problem:
The original ASU dashboard was limited to displaying courses in static cards, with no actionable insights or personalized guidance. It lacked visibility into student progress, upcoming deadlines, recent activity, or learning support tools; making it difficult for students to stay on track and motivated.
Our Approach:
Through close collaboration with ASU’s learning designers and academic stakeholders, we reimagined the dashboard as a dynamic, adaptive, and student-centered hub. The new design provides a clear snapshot of a learner’s journey, helping them understand what’s next and stay engaged throughout the course.
The original ASU dashboard was limited to displaying courses in static cards, with no actionable insights or personalized guidance. It lacked visibility into student progress, upcoming deadlines, recent activity, or learning support tools; making it difficult for students to stay on track and motivated.
Our Approach:
Through close collaboration with ASU’s learning designers and academic stakeholders, we reimagined the dashboard as a dynamic, adaptive, and student-centered hub. The new design provides a clear snapshot of a learner’s journey, helping them understand what’s next and stay engaged throughout the course.
Insights
My Courses
Units—Lessons
Mobile
Thank you for watching.
— A Product Designer who thrives on collaboration and finding creative solutions to complex problems. I work with teams to turn messy problems into seamless experiences that feel good, work beautifully, and deliver real results.
Simple, human, and always outcome-driven.
You can reach me via Email : razataj@gmail.com