Our company advertises thousands of products online. However, we currently rely on slow modes of communication with our customers. Users have requested the functionality to contact sellers directly via a real-time chat function.

We would like to work with students to design a general chat interface.

This will involve several different steps for the students, including:

• Conducting background research on our users and products.
• Producing a wireframe or mock-up of the resulting system’s user interface.
• Testing the design with users and making improvements.

Bonus steps in the process would also include:

• Prototyping multiple possible chat function designs.

By the end of the project, students should demonstrate:

• Understanding of our company and customers
• Design of a chat function wireframe or mockup
• Refinement of the design through testing results

Bonus steps would include:

• Providing multiple wireframes or mockups for different designs

Final deliverables should include

• A final report.
• A presentation.

Students will connect directly with us for mentorship throughout the project. We will be able to provide answers to questions such as:

• Our current products and platform
• Input on choices, problems or anything else the students might encounter.