Design Thinking Program - App Prototype
A mobile app connecting Aboriginal university students with cultural support and resources, introducing Dreamtime Teaching
Client
Macquarie University Incubator, EY Australia
Role
UI Designer & Researcher
Year
2025
Tools
Canva
Project Focus and My Responsibilities
Project Snapshot
Dreamtime was my first app concept and UI design project. Created as part of a Design Thinking program, the app was designed around the challenge of supporting Aboriginal students as they transition into urban university environments. The concept focuses on reducing cultural isolation and improving access to academic, financial, and community resources through a mobile experience that is easy to navigate and grounded in belonging.
Key Design Decisions
Design Decision 01
Resource Hub (Home Dashboard)
I designed a centralized home hub so students could quickly access academic, wellness, and community resources in one place. Bringing these tools together helps reduce overwhelm and makes it easier for students to navigate unfamiliar university systems with more confidence.
Design Decision 02
Cultural & Language Learning Page
A sense of cultural connection was an important part of the concept. This page was designed to help students maintain ties to heritage, language, and identity while adjusting to a new environment, reinforcing belonging and community pride.
Design Decision 03
Financial Aid Access
Because financial stress can directly affect student retention, this screen provides a clear and searchable way to explore scholarships and aid programs. The goal was to make financial support more visible, accessible, and easier to act on.
The Outcome
This project introduced me to developing an original app concept and translating it into a visual prototype. It helped me build experience in ideation, interface design, and communicating how design can support a real-world social challenge.
Explore the Prototype
View Full Process ↓Full Project Description
Project Background
During Macquarie University's Design Thinking Incubator, I participated in an intensive, 30-hour, mentor-led program focused on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Working in a multidisciplinary team, I learned design thinking methods, including empathy mapping, ideation, prototyping, and rapid testing, to develop a socially driven solution. Our team chose to address Quality Education (SDG 4) by developing Dreamtime, a mobile app concept designed to support Aboriginal students transitioning from rural communities to urban universities. The app brings together culturally grounded resources, financial assistance, and community support to help students navigate university life while maintaining their cultural connections.
Design Rationale
Our concept was guided by three challenges Aboriginal students may experience when transitioning to urban universities: cultural disconnection, difficulty accessing resources, and financial barriers. I explored how a centralized mobile experience could make academic and financial support easier to discover while helping students maintain a connection to their culture and community. These considerations informed three core features of Dreamtime.