Drew Flaherty
Work
About
Contact
Resume
Georgia Tech
Connecting Dots (and Jackets)

Discipline

UX Design, Research

Focus

Online Communities

Deliverable

Web App Redesign
Overview
The Problem
My Role
What I Found
What I Did

01 — OVERVIEW

Leveraging the online student perspective to design a more connected digital community for all of Georgia Tech.

Leveraging the online student perspective to design a more connected digital community for all of Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech's Online Masters' programs have exploded in enrollment post-pandemic. In alumni surveys, graduates of the online programs consistently score high for affinity with the institute, but note a strong disconnect between the student experience online and the sense of community from campus. Through research and design, I'm exploring how to design elements of Georgia Tech's GT Connect platform to build stronger Jacket communities.

TIMELINE

August 2025 - Present

DELIVERABLES

High-fidelity Prototypes

CATEGORY

Experience Design

02 — THE PROBLEM

What do users need to find Institute connections online?

What do users need to find Institute connections online?

Using mixed-methods research and iterative design processes, I created several strategies for group connections on the online platform.

Using mixed-methods research and iterative design processes, I created several strategies for group connections on the online platform.

DESIGN GOAL

Easy-to-navigate Group Experiences.

AfterBefore

03 — MY ROLE

Design Researcher

Design Researcher

I led the research and design process as a team of one.

04 — WHAT I FOUND

There are plenty of online platforms to connect, but students crave access to Tech.

There are plenty of online platforms to connect, but students crave access to Tech.

I conducted seven interviews to understand student, alumni, staff, and faculty perspectives on GT Connect, the OMS experience, and the Institute. These interviews were paired with ethnographic studies on sites like Reddit, Slack, Discord, and Linkedin.

KEY INSIGHTS

  • Users want Institute resources.

  • Social media platforms provide emotional support, but not professional support.

  • There is a willingness to engage - when invited.

COMING SOON

I have more to say. Details coming soon.