Engagement Is the Key
How I Boosted Course Completion Rates
Engagement Is the Key
How I Boosted Course Completion Rates
Engagement Is the Key
How I Boosted Course Completion Rates
OVERVIEW
Tandori • Online Learning Platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform designed to spark creativity and build real-world skills, I faced a critical challenge: consistently low course completion rates. Despite strong enrollment, many learners dropped off early, stalling both their progress and the platform’s growth.
As the sole product designer, I shaped Tandori’s experience from the ground up—collaborating with the product manager to craft a user-centered learning journey. This case study highlights how I boosted completion rates by testing design strategies that enhanced learner engagement.
OVERVIEW
Tandori • Online Learning Platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform designed to spark creativity and build real-world skills, I faced a critical challenge: consistently low course completion rates. Despite strong enrollment, many learners dropped off early, stalling both their progress and the platform’s growth.
As the sole product designer, I shaped Tandori’s experience from the ground up—collaborating with the product manager to craft a user-centered learning journey. This case study highlights how I boosted completion rates by testing design strategies that enhanced learner engagement.
OVERVIEW
Tandori • Online Learning Platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform designed to spark creativity and build real-world skills, I faced a critical challenge: consistently low course completion rates. Despite strong enrollment, many learners dropped off early, stalling both their progress and the platform’s growth.
As the sole product designer, I shaped Tandori’s experience from the ground up—collaborating with the product manager to craft a user-centered learning journey. This case study highlights how I boosted completion rates by testing design strategies that enhanced learner engagement.
Industry
EdTech
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
Industry
EdTech
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
Industry
EdTech
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
PROBLEM
Learners start strong but struggle to reach the finish line
PROBLEM
Learners start strong but struggle to reach the finish line
PROBLEM
Learners start strong but struggle to reach the finish line
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge: a course completion rate stuck at just 13%. This revealed a key engagement gap—most users weren’t staying motivated long enough to finish, leaving their learning goals unmet.
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge: a course completion rate stuck at just 13%. This revealed a key engagement gap—most users weren’t staying motivated long enough to finish, leaving their learning goals unmet.
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge: a course completion rate stuck at just 13%. This revealed a key engagement gap—most users weren’t staying motivated long enough to finish, leaving their learning goals unmet.
Why it matters
Low completion rates hurt both learners and the business. Users abandoned their goals, and Tandori struggled with weak retention and missed revenue opportunities. Solving this issue was essential for sustainable growth.
Why it matters
Low completion rates hurt both learners and the business. Users abandoned their goals, and Tandori struggled with weak retention and missed revenue opportunities. Solving this issue was essential for sustainable growth.
Why it matters
Low completion rates hurt both learners and the business. Users abandoned their goals, and Tandori struggled with weak retention and missed revenue opportunities. Solving this issue was essential for sustainable growth.
EMPATHIZE
Walking in learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
EMPATHIZE
Walking in learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
EMPATHIZE
Walking in learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
User interviews: capturing real stories
I conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to understand their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations surfaced their goals, challenges, and points of frustration. By listening closely, I refined our user personas and gained a clearer view of learners’ most urgent needs.
User interviews: capturing real stories
I conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to understand their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations surfaced their goals, challenges, and points of frustration. By listening closely, I refined our user personas and gained a clearer view of learners’ most urgent needs.
User interviews: capturing real stories
I conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to understand their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations surfaced their goals, challenges, and points of frustration. By listening closely, I refined our user personas and gained a clearer view of learners’ most urgent needs.
Empathy map: visualizing the learner’s perspective
Building on interview insights, I created an empathy map to visually capture learners’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This helped me synthesize diverse feedback and spot patterns that revealed how learners experienced and moved through their journey.
Empathy map: visualizing the learner’s perspective
Building on interview insights, I created an empathy map to visually capture learners’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This helped me synthesize diverse feedback and spot patterns that revealed how learners experienced and moved through their journey.
Empathy map: visualizing the learner’s perspective
Building on interview insights, I created an empathy map to visually capture learners’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This helped me synthesize diverse feedback and spot patterns that revealed how learners experienced and moved through their journey.
Emotional journey map: mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created a journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences across each stage of the course. This visual tool revealed shifts in engagement over time and offered a clear lens for deeper analysis and meaningful design decisions.
Emotional journey map: mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created a journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences across each stage of the course. This visual tool revealed shifts in engagement over time and offered a clear lens for deeper analysis and meaningful design decisions.
Emotional journey map: mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created a journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences across each stage of the course. This visual tool revealed shifts in engagement over time and offered a clear lens for deeper analysis and meaningful design decisions.
PAIN POINTS
Uncovering hidden obstacles to learner success
PAIN POINTS
Uncovering hidden obstacles to learner success
PAIN POINTS
Uncovering hidden obstacles to learner success
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners started their courses with enthusiasm, but without a clear structure or routine, they quickly lost direction. As the weeks went on, the lack of organization left them feeling overwhelmed and scattered. This inconsistency bred frustration and ultimately led many to abandon their learning journey.
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners started their courses with enthusiasm, but without a clear structure or routine, they quickly lost direction. As the weeks went on, the lack of organization left them feeling overwhelmed and scattered. This inconsistency bred frustration and ultimately led many to abandon their learning journey.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
Without short-term milestones, the learning journey felt endless and overwhelming. Learners struggled to track their progress and celebrate small wins, which made long-term goals feel distant and unattainable. This lack of immediate rewards left users discouraged and unsure whether their efforts were truly paying off.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
Without short-term milestones, the learning journey felt endless and overwhelming. Learners struggled to track their progress and celebrate small wins, which made long-term goals feel distant and unattainable. This lack of immediate rewards left users discouraged and unsure whether their efforts were truly paying off.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated as they moved through their courses, missing out on opportunities for connection and feedback. The lack of peer interaction made the experience feel lonely and eroded their confidence. Without a sense of community, motivation dropped and frustration began to build.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated as they moved through their courses, missing out on opportunities for connection and feedback. The lack of peer interaction made the experience feel lonely and eroded their confidence. Without a sense of community, motivation dropped and frustration began to build.
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners started their courses with enthusiasm, but without a clear structure or routine, they quickly lost direction. As the weeks went on, the lack of organization left them feeling overwhelmed and scattered. This inconsistency bred frustration and ultimately led many to abandon their learning journey.
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners started their courses with enthusiasm, but without a clear structure or routine, they quickly lost direction. As the weeks went on, the lack of organization left them feeling overwhelmed and scattered. This inconsistency bred frustration and ultimately led many to abandon their learning journey.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
Without short-term milestones, the learning journey felt endless and overwhelming. Learners struggled to track their progress and celebrate small wins, which made long-term goals feel distant and unattainable. This lack of immediate rewards left users discouraged and unsure whether their efforts were truly paying off.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
Without short-term milestones, the learning journey felt endless and overwhelming. Learners struggled to track their progress and celebrate small wins, which made long-term goals feel distant and unattainable. This lack of immediate rewards left users discouraged and unsure whether their efforts were truly paying off.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated as they moved through their courses, missing out on opportunities for connection and feedback. The lack of peer interaction made the experience feel lonely and eroded their confidence. Without a sense of community, motivation dropped and frustration began to build.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated as they moved through their courses, missing out on opportunities for connection and feedback. The lack of peer interaction made the experience feel lonely and eroded their confidence. Without a sense of community, motivation dropped and frustration began to build.
IDEATE
Turning learner pain points into innovative design ideas
IDEATE
Turning learner pain points into innovative design ideas
IDEATE
Turning learner pain points into innovative design ideas
Drag to sketch
Drag to sketch
Drag to sketch
Brainstorming new ideas while preserving information architecture
During collaborative brainstorming sessions, I quickly sketched new ideas while staying aligned with the platform’s existing information architecture. This balanced approach combined creativity with structure, laying the groundwork for intuitive, high-impact solutions that truly addressed learners’ needs.
Brainstorming new ideas while preserving information architecture
During collaborative brainstorming sessions, I quickly sketched new ideas while staying aligned with the platform’s existing information architecture. This balanced approach combined creativity with structure, laying the groundwork for intuitive, high-impact solutions that truly addressed learners’ needs.
Brainstorming new ideas while preserving information architecture
During collaborative brainstorming sessions, I quickly sketched new ideas while staying aligned with the platform’s existing information architecture. This balanced approach combined creativity with structure, laying the groundwork for intuitive, high-impact solutions that truly addressed learners’ needs.
SOLUTIONS
Crafting ways to keep learners on track and engaged
SOLUTIONS
Crafting ways to keep learners on track and engaged
SOLUTIONS
Crafting ways to keep learners on track and engaged
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the lack of structure, I designed a weekly progress tracker that helps learners plan their study days. The system automatically breaks down course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool promotes consistency, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear path toward course completion.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the lack of structure, I designed a weekly progress tracker that helps learners plan their study days. The system automatically breaks down course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool promotes consistency, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear path toward course completion.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To bridge the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, learners receive a visual reward and a motivational message reinforcing their achievement—helping them stay energized and keeping their long-term goals within reach.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To bridge the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, learners receive a visual reward and a motivational message reinforcing their achievement—helping them stay energized and keeping their long-term goals within reach.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I designed a community hub that encourages learner interaction and peer feedback. This space allows users to ask questions, share their work, and receive support—turning learning into a more connected and collaborative experience.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I designed a community hub that encourages learner interaction and peer feedback. This space allows users to ask questions, share their work, and receive support—turning learning into a more connected and collaborative experience.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the lack of structure, I designed a weekly progress tracker that helps learners plan their study days. The system automatically breaks down course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool promotes consistency, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear path toward course completion.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the lack of structure, I designed a weekly progress tracker that helps learners plan their study days. The system automatically breaks down course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool promotes consistency, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear path toward course completion.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To bridge the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, learners receive a visual reward and a motivational message reinforcing their achievement—helping them stay energized and keeping their long-term goals within reach.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To bridge the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, learners receive a visual reward and a motivational message reinforcing their achievement—helping them stay energized and keeping their long-term goals within reach.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I designed a community hub that encourages learner interaction and peer feedback. This space allows users to ask questions, share their work, and receive support—turning learning into a more connected and collaborative experience.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I designed a community hub that encourages learner interaction and peer feedback. This space allows users to ask questions, share their work, and receive support—turning learning into a more connected and collaborative experience.
SPRINTS
Planning strategic sprints to turn solutions into actionable steps
SPRINTS
Planning strategic sprints to turn solutions into actionable steps
SPRINTS
Planning strategic sprints to turn solutions into actionable steps
Sprint one: structured learning
In Sprint One, I designed a progress tracker with milestone unlocks—creating a structured, motivating system that kept learners organized and driven.
Sprint one: structured learning
In Sprint One, I designed a progress tracker with milestone unlocks—creating a structured, motivating system that kept learners organized and driven.
Sprint one: structured learning
In Sprint One, I designed a progress tracker with milestone unlocks—creating a structured, motivating system that kept learners organized and driven.
Sprint two: connected community
In Sprint Two, I designed a community hub to spark connection and collaboration—building a supportive space that kept learners engaged and involved.
Sprint two: connected community
In Sprint Two, I designed a community hub to spark connection and collaboration—building a supportive space that kept learners engaged and involved.
Sprint two: connected community
In Sprint Two, I designed a community hub to spark connection and collaboration—building a supportive space that kept learners engaged and involved.
DESIGN
Bringing ideas to life through iterative design and prototyping
DESIGN
Bringing ideas to life through iterative design and prototyping
DESIGN
Bringing ideas to life through iterative design and prototyping
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early ideas for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed quick exploration of layouts and flows, helping ensure that core functions were intuitive and aligned with learners’ needs.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early ideas for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed quick exploration of layouts and flows, helping ensure that core functions were intuitive and aligned with learners’ needs.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After shaping initial concepts, I moved to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I designed clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture—ensuring a seamless and consistent experience across the platform.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After shaping initial concepts, I moved to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I designed clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture—ensuring a seamless and consistent experience across the platform.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I built low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models helped me visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a user-centered, practical design ready for refinement and iteration.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I built low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models helped me visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a user-centered, practical design ready for refinement and iteration.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early ideas for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed quick exploration of layouts and flows, helping ensure that core functions were intuitive and aligned with learners’ needs.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early ideas for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed quick exploration of layouts and flows, helping ensure that core functions were intuitive and aligned with learners’ needs.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After shaping initial concepts, I moved to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I designed clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture—ensuring a seamless and consistent experience across the platform.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After shaping initial concepts, I moved to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I designed clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture—ensuring a seamless and consistent experience across the platform.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I built low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models helped me visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a user-centered, practical design ready for refinement and iteration.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I built low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models helped me visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a user-centered, practical design ready for refinement and iteration.
TEST
Refining the design through user feedback and usability testing
TEST
Refining the design through user feedback and usability testing
TEST
Refining the design through user feedback and usability testing
Before Test
Usability Test
After Test
Before
Test
After
Before Test
Usability Test
After Test
Adding flexibility to the weekly schedule planner
User testing revealed that learners needed more flexibility in how they scheduled their week. Initially, the planner offered a single fixed time slot for all days. In response, I introduced customizable time slots for each day—giving users more control and creating a more personalized experience.
Adding flexibility to the weekly schedule planner
User testing revealed that learners needed more flexibility in how they scheduled their week. Initially, the planner offered a single fixed time slot for all days. In response, I introduced customizable time slots for each day—giving users more control and creating a more personalized experience.
Adding flexibility to the weekly schedule planner
User testing revealed that learners needed more flexibility in how they scheduled their week. Initially, the planner offered a single fixed time slot for all days. In response, I introduced customizable time slots for each day—giving users more control and creating a more personalized experience.
DESIGN SYSTEM
Elevating the experience through a cohesive design system
DESIGN SYSTEM
Elevating the experience through a cohesive design system
DESIGN SYSTEM
Elevating the experience through a cohesive design system
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I transformed low-fidelity prototypes into polished high-fidelity mockups and interactive flows. This upgrade ensured consistent use of color, typography, and iconography—enhancing both visual appeal and usability. The final design aligned with Tandori’s brand and was ready for development.
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I transformed low-fidelity prototypes into polished high-fidelity mockups and interactive flows. This upgrade ensured consistent use of color, typography, and iconography—enhancing both visual appeal and usability. The final design aligned with Tandori’s brand and was ready for development.
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I transformed low-fidelity prototypes into polished high-fidelity mockups and interactive flows. This upgrade ensured consistent use of color, typography, and iconography—enhancing both visual appeal and usability. The final design aligned with Tandori’s brand and was ready for development.
FINAL DESIGN
The final design: a seamless and engaging learning experience
FINAL DESIGN
The final design: a seamless and engaging learning experience
FINAL DESIGN
The final design: a seamless and engaging learning experience
Solutions designed to boost engagement
Key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to address learner pain points and increase engagement—creating a seamless experience that helped learners stay motivated and complete their courses.
Solutions designed to boost engagement
Key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to address learner pain points and increase engagement—creating a seamless experience that helped learners stay motivated and complete their courses.
Solutions designed to boost engagement
Key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to address learner pain points and increase engagement—creating a seamless experience that helped learners stay motivated and complete their courses.
Home page
Quick access to courses through search, categories, and personalized recommendations makes discovery fast and intuitive.
Home page
Quick access to courses through search, categories, and personalized recommendations makes discovery fast and intuitive.
My courses
Learners can easily track daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses from one centralized view.
My courses
Learners can easily track daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses from one centralized view.
Completed daily lessons
A clear confirmation message reinforces daily achievement and keeps learners motivated to continue.
Completed daily lessons
A clear confirmation message reinforces daily achievement and keeps learners motivated to continue.
Weekly milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages, and visual highlights of achievement.
Weekly milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages, and visual highlights of achievement.
Course page
Clear information on course content and lessons helps learners make confident, informed enrollment decisions.
Course page
Clear information on course content and lessons helps learners make confident, informed enrollment decisions.
Set your schedule
Flexible scheduling lets learners choose specific days and times that fit their personal routines and preferences.
Set your schedule
Flexible scheduling lets learners choose specific days and times that fit their personal routines and preferences.
Rest days
Encouraging messages support mindful breaks while helping learners stay connected to their long-term goals.
Rest days
Encouraging messages support mindful breaks while helping learners stay connected to their long-term goals.
Community
A dedicated space to ask questions, share projects, and exchange feedback—fostering connection and belonging.
Community
A dedicated space to ask questions, share projects, and exchange feedback—fostering connection and belonging.
Home page
Quick access to courses through search, categories, and personalized recommendations makes discovery fast and intuitive.
Home page
Quick access to courses through search, categories, and personalized recommendations makes discovery fast and intuitive.
Course page
Clear information on course content and lessons helps learners make confident, informed enrollment decisions.
Course page
Clear information on course content and lessons helps learners make confident, informed enrollment decisions.
My courses
Learners can easily track daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses from one centralized view.
My courses
Learners can easily track daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses from one centralized view.
Set your schedule
Flexible scheduling lets learners choose specific days and times that fit their personal routines and preferences.
Set your schedule
Flexible scheduling lets learners choose specific days and times that fit their personal routines and preferences.
Completed daily lessons
A clear confirmation message reinforces daily achievement and keeps learners motivated to continue.
Completed daily lessons
A clear confirmation message reinforces daily achievement and keeps learners motivated to continue.
Rest days
Encouraging messages support mindful breaks while helping learners stay connected to their long-term goals.
Rest days
Encouraging messages support mindful breaks while helping learners stay connected to their long-term goals.
Weekly milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages, and visual highlights of achievement.
Weekly milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages, and visual highlights of achievement.
Community
A dedicated space to ask questions, share projects, and exchange feedback—fostering connection and belonging.
Community
A dedicated space to ask questions, share projects, and exchange feedback—fostering connection and belonging.
IMPACT
Engagement is the key in an online learning platform
IMPACT
Engagement is the key in an online learning platform
IMPACT
Engagement is the key in an online learning platform
Boosted course completion rate
0
0
%
Redesigned the learning experience with structured weekly goals and milestone rewards, helping learners stay on track and finish their courses.
Increased weekly active users
0
0
%
Built a community hub and progress motivators that strengthened user engagement and increased weekly activity across the platform.
