Muio Skill Exchange Platform
A UX/UI case study on creating a self-sustaining digital ecosystem based on the principles of mutualism and shared knowledge.
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Sector: Arts & Culture
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Discipline: Brand Identity, UCD, UX/UI
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Role: Lead UX/UI Designer, Brand Strategist
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Outcome: High-Fidelity Prototype, Branding, Exhibition
UI Design & The Final Solution
The user interface was designed to be intuitive, accessible, and engaging. A key innovation is the cascading system architecture, separating the interface into distinct brand, content, and navigation layers. This modular design allows for easy updates and scalability. Key UI features include an animated switch to toggle between 'Teach' and 'Learn' modes and an empathetic rating system that builds trust by focusing on positive attributes rather than criticism.
The Challenge Beyond Monetisation
Most online learning platforms rely on monetisation, which often centralises power and revenue, marginalising smaller creators and hindering the growth of genuine, long-term communities. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) frequently lack mechanisms for sustainable engagement, leading to sporadic interactions rather than lasting relationships.
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The challenge was to design a digital platform that could redistribute cultural and social capital, moving away from a purely transactional model. The goal was to create an efficient, user-friendly solution that fosters a community interested in learning and sharing knowledge through interaction, collaboration, and empathy.
A Blend of Philosophy and Process
My approach was grounded in the Double Diamond design model, ensuring a structured process of discovery, definition, development, and delivery. Philosophically, the project was inspired by the concept of intraspecific mutualism where individuals of the same species cooperate for mutual benefit and Peter Kropotkin's principles of mutual aid. This led to the core concept of "Muio": an acronym for Mutual Input-Output.
Research & Discovery
To understand the user, I began with extensive research. A detailed survey was conducted to identify the features most important to potential users, such as the ability to ask experts questions and receive personalised content. This data, combined with machine learning insights, allowed for the creation of detailed user personas and user journey maps, which guided the entire design process.
Ideation & Branding
The brand identity for Muio needed to reflect its core values of growth, community, and knowledge. The central mechanism of the platform is a token system where users earn 'seeds' for teaching, which they can then use for learning. These seeds symbolise growth and development within the community. The ideation process involved wireframing to develop a unique design system in Figma, outlining colours, typography, and components.