Mission statement

Tribe Finder helps OCAD students connect, join, and start student groups with ease. It has three main goals:

• Connect Students – Find and join groups that match your interests.

• Encourage Exploration – Discover new organizations and collaborate across disciplines.

• Build Leaders – Start and grow your own group while developing leadership skills.

Problem statement

OCAD students often stay within their comfort zones, missing out on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Tribe Finder helps them discover, join, and create student groups, encouraging leadership and broader community engagement. This aligns with OCAD’s mission to foster inclusion, creativity, and collaboration.

User Interviews: Key Pain Points

Ann

To better understand student needs, I interviewed several students about their experiences with student organizations at OCAD. Here’s what they shared:

“The existing directory is outdated. Many organizations aren’t listed and get no exposure.”

J

“LGBTQ groups don’t get as much visibility as more established organizations. It makes me feel like I don’t have a voice.”

Miko

“OCAD doesn’t have the kind of organization I’d like to join… I want to start one, but I don’t know how.”

Key Issues found:

• Many student organizations lack visibility, making it harder for students to find and join them.

• Smaller or newer groups struggle to gain recognition compared to well-established ones.

• Some students want to start organizations but don’t know the process.

Solution:

The Tribe Finder app will create an equal space for all student organizations by making sure every group—big or small—gets the exposure it needs. It will also provide a clear way for students to start and promote their own organizations, ensuring every voice is heard in the OCAD community.

Ideation: Sketches & Wireframes

After gathering insights from research, I identified key features and user actions needed for the Tribe Finder app. To start, I created quick sketches and mapped out the user flow on paper. Once I had a solid structure, I transitioned to digital wireframes to refine the design further.

Key Features & Flow:

• Launching the App: Tribe Finder will be accessible from the student orientation website.

• Simple Onboarding: Students log in using their OCAD ID for a seamless experience.

• Sync Student Profile: Before completing the login, students will be prompted to sync their major and interests.This helps personalize their experience by matching them with relevant organizations.

This structured approach ensures that students can easily navigate the platform, find relevant groups, and explore new opportunities.

Tribe Finder is structured into three distinct sections, each with its own color theme and interaction model:

1. Browse (Light Purple) – Search & explore student organizations.

2. Tribes (Dark Purple) – View group profiles and connect with members.

3. Campaigns (Light Purple & Pink) – Create & support new student initiatives.

Browse Hub: Discover Campaigns

The “Campaigns” view allows students to explore unofficial OCAD student organizations. To gain official recognition, a group must have at least five interested members.

This feature empowers students to crowdsource and advocate for new tribes, turning them into active contributors to OCAD’s growing community—an essential step in achieving Goal #3.

To join a campaign, students simply click the “+” button on the card.

Learning & Takeaways

Clear Design Improves Usability

A clean layout, intuitive navigation, and 3D buttons make interactions more engaging and user-friendly. Small details like color coding and icons enhance the experience.

Seamless Integration Enhances Onboarding

Syncing with OCAD’s student portal made onboarding effortless, reducing friction and making the app feel like a natural extension of the platform.

Balancing Features and Simplicity is Key

Too many features can overwhelm users. Prioritizing essentials while allowing flexible browsing created a better experience.

Visual Identity Strengthens Engagement

Incorporating a friendly, cartoon-style cat mascot adds personality, making the app more inviting and memorable. Playful elements create a welcoming experience without sacrificing usability.

Small Details Make a Big Impact

Elements like 3D buttons, button placement, and interaction flow directly affect usability. Thoughtful design choices ensure a smooth, intuitive experience.