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, an online learning platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform that sparks creativity and builds practical skills, I encountered a major challenge: a persistently low course completion rate. Despite high enrollment, many learners dropped out before finishing, stalling both personal progress and overall growth.
As the sole product designer I built Tandori’s design from the ground up, partnering with the product manager to craft a user-centric experience. This case study details an iteration where I solved low course completion rates by experimenting with creative solutions that boosted learner engagement.
Overview
Tandori, an online learning platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform that sparks creativity and builds practical skills, I encountered a major challenge: a persistently low course completion rate. Despite high enrollment, many learners dropped out before finishing, stalling both personal progress and overall growth.
As the sole product designer I built Tandori’s design from the ground up, partnering with the product manager to craft a user-centric experience. This case study details an iteration where I solved low course completion rates by experimenting with creative solutions that boosted learner engagement.
Overview
Tandori, an online learning platform
At Tandori, an online learning platform that sparks creativity and builds practical skills, I encountered a major challenge: a persistently low course completion rate. Despite high enrollment, many learners dropped out before finishing, stalling both personal progress and overall growth.
As the sole product designer I built Tandori’s design from the ground up, partnering with the product manager to craft a user-centric experience. This case study details an iteration where I solved low course completion rates by experimenting with creative solutions that boosted learner engagement.
Industry
Online Learning Platform
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
Industry
Online Learning Platform
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
Industry
Online Learning Platform
Duration
6 weeks
Role
Product Designer
Responsibilities
Interaction Design, Visual Design, Motion Design, UX Research, UX Writing
Problem
Learners are starting strong but failing to reach the finish line
Problem
Learners are starting strong but failing to reach the finish line
Problem
Learners are starting strong but failing to reach the finish line
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge—a course completion rate of only 13%. This low rate revealed a critical gap in keeping learners engaged, resulting in many users failing to reach their goals.
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge—a course completion rate of only 13%. This low rate revealed a critical gap in keeping learners engaged, resulting in many users failing to reach their goals.
About the problem
Tandori faced a serious challenge—a course completion rate of only 13%. This low rate revealed a critical gap in keeping learners engaged, resulting in many users failing to reach their goals.
Why it matters
Low completion rates harmed both learners and Tandori. Users missed their goals, and the platform suffered from poor retention and lost revenue. Fixing this challenge was vital for steady growth.
Why it matters
Low completion rates harmed both learners and Tandori. Users missed their goals, and the platform suffered from poor retention and lost revenue. Fixing this challenge was vital for steady growth.
Why it matters
Low completion rates harmed both learners and Tandori. Users missed their goals, and the platform suffered from poor retention and lost revenue. Fixing this challenge was vital for steady growth.
Empathize
Walking in the learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
Empathize
Walking in the learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
Empathize
Walking in the learners’ shoes to uncover their journey
User interview: Capturing real stories
I conducted extensive interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to uncover their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations revealed their goals, struggles, and frustrations. Listening intently helped me refine user personas and better understand learners’ pressing challenges.
User interview: Capturing real stories
I conducted extensive interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to uncover their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations revealed their goals, struggles, and frustrations. Listening intently helped me refine user personas and better understand learners’ pressing challenges.
User interview: Capturing real stories
I conducted extensive interviews with a diverse group of Tandori users to uncover their real experiences. These one-on-one conversations revealed their goals, struggles, and frustrations. Listening intently helped me refine user personas and better understand learners’ pressing challenges.
Empathy map: Visualizing the learner’s perspective
Drawing on interview insights, I crafted an empathy map to visually organize learners’ thoughts, feelings, and actions. This tool enabled me to synthesize diverse user feedback and uncover patterns in behavior, deepening my understanding of how learners perceived and navigated their journey.
Empathy map: Visualizing the learner’s perspective
Drawing on interview insights, I crafted an empathy map to visually organize learners’ thoughts, feelings, and actions. This tool enabled me to synthesize diverse user feedback and uncover patterns in behavior, deepening my understanding of how learners perceived and navigated their journey.
Empathy map: Visualizing the learner’s perspective
Drawing on interview insights, I crafted an empathy map to visually organize learners’ thoughts, feelings, and actions. This tool enabled me to synthesize diverse user feedback and uncover patterns in behavior, deepening my understanding of how learners perceived and navigated their journey.
Emotional journey map: Mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created an emotional journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences at every course stage. This visual tool highlighted engagement shifts over time and provided a clear framework for deeper analysis and solution development.
Emotional journey map: Mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created an emotional journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences at every course stage. This visual tool highlighted engagement shifts over time and provided a clear framework for deeper analysis and solution development.
Emotional journey map: Mapping the experience
To capture the emotional rhythm of learning, I created an emotional journey map that charted the highs and lows of users’ experiences at every course stage. This visual tool highlighted engagement shifts over time and provided a clear framework for deeper analysis and solution development.
Pain Points
Uncovering the hidden obstacles to learner success
Pain Points
Uncovering the hidden obstacles to learner success
Pain Points
Uncovering the hidden obstacles to learner success
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners began courses full of energy, but without a clear plan or routine, they soon lost direction. As weeks passed, the absence of structure left them disorganized and swamped. This lack of consistency led to mounting frustration, ultimately causing many to abandon their learning journey.
When structure fades, motivation slips away
Many learners began courses full of energy, but without a clear plan or routine, they soon lost direction. As weeks passed, the absence of structure left them disorganized and swamped. This lack of consistency led to mounting frustration, ultimately causing 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 daunting. Learners struggled to gauge progress and celebrate small wins, making their long-term goals seem out of reach. This gap in immediate rewards left users feeling overwhelmed and questioning the value of their efforts.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
Without short-term milestones, the learning journey felt endless and daunting. Learners struggled to gauge progress and celebrate small wins, making their long-term goals seem out of reach. This gap in immediate rewards left users feeling overwhelmed and questioning the value of their efforts.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated while progressing through their courses, missing opportunities for connection and feedback. The absence of peer interaction made the experience lonely and diminished their confidence. This lack of community support intensified feelings of despair and hindered motivation.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Many learners felt isolated while progressing through their courses, missing opportunities for connection and feedback. The absence of peer interaction made the experience lonely and diminished their confidence. This lack of community support intensified feelings of despair and hindered motivation.
When structure fades, motivation slips away
I designed a dynamic weekly progress tracker that empowers learners to schedule study sessions with ease. By allowing users to select available days, the system automatically segments courses into bite‑sized, manageable tasks. This tool not only streamlines planning but also instills consistent momentum, reduces cognitive overload, and fosters a
When structure fades, motivation slips away
I designed a dynamic weekly progress tracker that empowers learners to schedule study sessions with ease. By allowing users to select available days, the system automatically segments courses into bite‑sized, manageable tasks. This tool not only streamlines planning but also instills consistent momentum, reduces cognitive overload, and fosters a
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
A major hurdle for learners was the absence of short-term goals to break up the journey. With only distant objectives in sight, users found it hard to measure their progress or feel a sense of achievement along the way. The lack of milestones made the learning process feel overwhelming and unending, leaving many to question whether their efforts were worth it. Over time, this sense of stagnation eroded their motivation to keep going.
Long-term goals feel out of reach without short wins
A major hurdle for learners was the absence of short-term goals to break up the journey. With only distant objectives in sight, users found it hard to measure their progress or feel a sense of achievement along the way. The lack of milestones made the learning process feel overwhelming and unending, leaving many to question whether their efforts were worth it. Over time, this sense of stagnation eroded their motivation to keep going.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Learners frequently expressed feelings of loneliness as they navigated their courses without any connection to peers or instructors. Many felt like they were falling behind others or missing out on opportunities to share their work and receive feedback. This isolation not only made the learning experience less enjoyable but also left them doubting their abilities. Without a sense of community or support, staying motivated became an even greater challenge.
Isolation turns learning into a lonely journey
Learners frequently expressed feelings of loneliness as they navigated their courses without any connection to peers or instructors. Many felt like they were falling behind others or missing out on opportunities to share their work and receive feedback. This isolation not only made the learning experience less enjoyable but also left them doubting their abilities. Without a sense of community or support, staying motivated became an even greater challenge.
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
In collaborative brainstorming sessions, I rapidly sketched new ideas while ensuring alignment with the platform’s information architecture. This balanced approach merged creativity with structure, paving the way for intuitive, impactful solutions resonated with learners’ needs.
Brainstorming new ideas while preserving information architecture
In collaborative brainstorming sessions, I rapidly sketched new ideas while ensuring alignment with the platform’s information architecture. This balanced approach merged creativity with structure, paving the way for intuitive, impactful solutions resonated with learners’ needs.
Brainstorming new ideas while preserving information architecture
In collaborative brainstorming sessions, I rapidly sketched new ideas while ensuring alignment with the platform’s information architecture. This balanced approach merged creativity with structure, paving the way for intuitive, impactful solutions resonated with learners’ needs.
Solutions
Crafting solutions to keep learners on track and engaged
Solutions
Crafting solutions to keep learners on track and engaged
Solutions
Crafting solutions to keep learners on track and engaged
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To fix the lack of structure, I created a weekly progress tracker that lets learners schedule their study days. The system automatically organizes course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool keeps learners consistent, minimizes overwhelm, and maps a clear path to course completion.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To fix the lack of structure, I created a weekly progress tracker that lets learners schedule their study days. The system automatically organizes course content into manageable weekly goals. This tool keeps learners consistent, minimizes overwhelm, and maps a clear path to course completion.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To address the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, users receive a visual reward and motivational message that reinforces their achievement, keeping their drive alive and their long-term goals in sight.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To address the gap in immediate rewards, I introduced milestone unlocks that celebrate weekly progress. After each completed week, users receive a visual reward and motivational message that reinforces their achievement, keeping their drive alive and their long-term goals in sight.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I built a community hub that encourages learner interaction and feedback. This space enables users to ask questions, share projects and receive feedback building support.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To overcome isolation, I built a community hub that encourages learner interaction and feedback. This space enables users to ask questions, share projects and receive feedback building support.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the challenge of lack of structure, I introduced a weekly progress tracker that empowers learners to plan their study schedule. Users can input the days they’re available, and the system automatically organizes their course workload into manageable weekly goals. This feature ensures learners stay consistent, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear roadmap for completing their courses without falling behind.
A progress tracker to guide every step of the journey
To address the challenge of lack of structure, I introduced a weekly progress tracker that empowers learners to plan their study schedule. Users can input the days they’re available, and the system automatically organizes their course workload into manageable weekly goals. This feature ensures learners stay consistent, reduces overwhelm, and provides a clear roadmap for completing their courses without falling behind.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To tackle the absence of short-term goals, I designed milestone unlocks that reward users after completing each week of the course. These milestones include unlocking a portion of their final certificate, accompanied by motivational messages reminding them why they started the journey. This approach not only reinforces their sense of achievement but also keeps them inspired to continue toward their long-term goals.
Unlocking milestones to reignite motivation
To tackle the absence of short-term goals, I designed milestone unlocks that reward users after completing each week of the course. These milestones include unlocking a portion of their final certificate, accompanied by motivational messages reminding them why they started the journey. This approach not only reinforces their sense of achievement but also keeps them inspired to continue toward their long-term goals.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To combat feelings of isolation, I created a community hub where learners can interact, share their progress, and seek feedback. This space allows users to ask questions from instructors or peers, collaborate on projects, and receive constructive feedback on their work. By fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration, the community hub helps learners feel supported and motivated throughout their learning journey.
Building a community to turn isolation into connection
To combat feelings of isolation, I created a community hub where learners can interact, share their progress, and seek feedback. This space allows users to ask questions from instructors or peers, collaborate on projects, and receive constructive feedback on their work. By fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration, the community hub helps learners feel supported and motivated throughout their learning journey.
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 built a progress tracker with milestone unlocks, creating a structured and motivating system that kept learners ordered and inspired.
Sprint one: Structured learning
In sprint one, I built a progress tracker with milestone unlocks, creating a structured and motivating system that kept learners ordered and inspired.
Sprint one: Structured learning
In sprint one, I built a progress tracker with milestone unlocks, creating a structured and motivating system that kept learners ordered and inspired.
Sprint two: Connected community
In sprint two, I built a community hub to spark connection and collaboration, creating a supportive space that kept learners engaged.
Sprint two: Connected community
In sprint two, I built a community hub to spark connection and collaboration, creating a supportive space that kept learners engaged.
Sprint two: Connected community
In sprint two, I built a community hub to spark connection and collaboration, creating a supportive space that kept learners engaged.
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 started the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early concepts for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity method enabled rapid experimentation with layouts and flows, ensuring the core functions were intuitive and met learners’ needs.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I started the design process with paper wireframes, sketching early concepts for the progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity method enabled rapid experimentation with layouts and flows, ensuring the core functions were intuitive and met learners’ needs.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After defining initial concepts, I shifted to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I crafted clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture, ensuring a seamless, navigable experience with consistent design across the platform.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
After defining initial concepts, I shifted to digital wireframes to refine structure, organization, and usability. Using Figma, I crafted clear, functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s architecture, ensuring a seamless, navigable experience with consistent design across the platform.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I created low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models allowed me to visualize user engagement with features such as the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a practical, user-centered design ready for further refinement and iterative improvements.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
I created low-fidelity prototypes to simulate key app interactions. These early models allowed me to visualize user engagement with features such as the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring a practical, user-centered design ready for further refinement and iterative improvements.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process by sketching paper wireframes to explore and iterate on early ideas for the weekly progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed me to quickly experiment with different layouts and user flows, ensuring the core functionality was intuitive and aligned with learner needs before moving forward.
Exploring initial concepts with paper wireframes
I began the design process by sketching paper wireframes to explore and iterate on early ideas for the weekly progress tracker, milestone unlocks, and community hub. This low-fidelity approach allowed me to quickly experiment with different layouts and user flows, ensuring the core functionality was intuitive and aligned with learner needs before moving forward.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
Once the initial concepts were defined, I transitioned to digital wireframes to refine the structure, organization, and usability of each feature. Using tools like Figma, I focused on creating clear and functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s information architecture, ensuring a seamless and navigable experience while maintaining consistency across the platform.
Refining structure through digital wireframes
Once the initial concepts were defined, I transitioned to digital wireframes to refine the structure, organization, and usability of each feature. Using tools like Figma, I focused on creating clear and functional layouts that aligned with Tandori’s information architecture, ensuring a seamless and navigable experience while maintaining consistency across the platform.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
To bring the designs closer to reality, I developed low-fidelity prototypes that simulated key interactions within the app. These prototypes provided a tangible way to visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring the design was practical, user-centered, and ready for further refinement in the next stages.
Visualizing interactions with low-fidelity prototypes
To bring the designs closer to reality, I developed low-fidelity prototypes that simulated key interactions within the app. These prototypes provided a tangible way to visualize how users would engage with features like the progress tracker and community hub, ensuring the design was practical, user-centered, and ready for further refinement in the next stages.
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 scheduling flexibility. Initially, the planner offered only one fixed time slot for all days. In response, I enabled custom time slots for each day, providing users with greater control and a more personalized overall experience.
Adding flexibility to the weekly schedule planner
User testing revealed that learners needed more scheduling flexibility. Initially, the planner offered only one fixed time slot for all days. In response, I enabled custom time slots for each day, providing users with greater control and a more personalized overall experience.
Adding flexibility to the weekly schedule planner
User testing revealed that learners needed more scheduling flexibility. Initially, the planner offered only one fixed time slot for all days. In response, I enabled custom time slots for each day, providing users with greater control and a more personalized overall experience.
Continue of Design
Elevating the design through a cohesive design system
Continue of Design
Elevating the design through a cohesive design system
Continue of Design
Elevating the design through a cohesive design system
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I refined low-fidelity prototypes into sleek high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes. This upgrade ensured consistent colors, typography, and icons while boosting visual appeal and usability. The design matched Tandori’s brand and was ready for development.
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I refined low-fidelity prototypes into sleek high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes. This upgrade ensured consistent colors, typography, and icons while boosting visual appeal and usability. The design matched Tandori’s brand and was ready for development.
Transforming low-fidelity to high-fidelity with the design system
Using the design system, I refined low-fidelity prototypes into sleek high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes. This upgrade ensured consistent colors, typography, and icons while boosting visual appeal and usability. The design matched 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
My key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to tackle learner pain points and enhance engagement, resulting in a seamless experience that motivated learners to complete their courses.
Solutions designed to boost engagement
My key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to tackle learner pain points and enhance engagement, resulting in a seamless experience that motivated learners to complete their courses.
Solutions designed to boost engagement
My key solutions were integrated across multiple screens to tackle learner pain points and enhance engagement, resulting in a seamless experience that motivated learners to complete their courses.
Home Page
Quick access to courses via search, categories, or recommendations ensures smooth discovery.
Home Page
Quick access to courses via search, categories, or recommendations ensures smooth discovery.
My Courses
Learners can view daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses.
My Courses
Learners can view daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses.
Completed Daily Lessons
A clear message highlights the completion of daily lessons, reinforcing accomplishment.
Completed Daily Lessons
A clear message highlights the completion of daily lessons, reinforcing accomplishment.
Weekly Milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages and achievement highlights.
Weekly Milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages and achievement highlights.
Course Page
Detailed info on course content and lessons helps learners make informed decisions.
Course Page
Detailed info on course content and lessons helps learners make informed decisions.
Set Your Schedule
Flexible scheduling allows learners to choose specific days and times for learning.
Set Your Schedule
Flexible scheduling allows learners to choose specific days and times for learning.
Rest Days
A clear message encourages learners to take a mindful break while staying connected to their goals.
Rest Days
A clear message encourages learners to take a mindful break while staying connected to their goals.
Community
A space to ask questions, share projects, and give feedback, fostering a sense of belonging.
Community
A space to ask questions, share projects, and give feedback, fostering a sense of belonging.
Home Page
Quick access to courses via search, categories, or recommendations ensures smooth discovery.
Home Page
Quick access to courses via search, categories, or recommendations ensures smooth discovery.
Course Page
Detailed info on course content and lessons helps learners make informed decisions.
Course Page
Detailed info on course content and lessons helps learners make informed decisions.
My Courses
Learners can view daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses.
My Courses
Learners can view daily lessons and overall progress across all enrolled courses.
Set Your Schedule
Flexible scheduling allows learners to choose specific days and times for learning.
Set Your Schedule
Flexible scheduling allows learners to choose specific days and times for learning.
Completed Daily Lessons
A clear message highlights the completion of daily lessons, reinforcing accomplishment.
Completed Daily Lessons
A clear message highlights the completion of daily lessons, reinforcing accomplishment.
Rest Days
A clear message encourages learners to take a mindful break while staying connected to their goals.
Rest Days
A clear message encourages learners to take a mindful break while staying connected to their goals.
Weekly Milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages and achievement highlights.
Weekly Milestone
Celebrate weekly progress with milestone unlocks, motivational messages and achievement highlights.
Community
A space to ask questions, share projects, and give feedback, fostering a sense of belonging.
Community
A space to ask questions, share projects, and give feedback, fostering a sense of 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 rates
0
0
%
Learners became more consistent, with course completion rates steadily rising to 36%.
Increased weekly active users
0
0
%
Learners remained engaged, and weekly active users surged, reaching 43% overall.
