HMWK is a homework help app made for students between the ages of 7 and 14. It gives them quick, on-demand support from tutors. After signing up for a membership, students can upload their questions, get answers in about an hour, and keep track of their progress along the way.


Role:

UX Designer

UX Researcher

Wireframing

UI Design

Prototyping

Mock-ups


The Problem

Kids need an easy and stress-free way to ask for help with their homework. A lot of the time, the way they submit questions online is confusing, doesn’t explain what to do next, and doesn’t say how long an answer will take, which just leaves them feeling stuck and frustrated.

The Goal

The goal was to redesign the ‘Ask a Question’ page so it’s easier for kids to use. It needed to feel simple and clear, helping students know exactly how to submit a homework question and when they can expect an answer.

User Research Summary

Objective

  • We wanted to learn how kids between 7 and 14 use online homework help websites, and what gets in their way when they try to ask a question. What we found helped shape a new version of the 'Ask a Question' page on HMWK—one that's easier to use, more kid-friendly, and makes students feel confident about getting help.

Methodology

  • To figure out what works and what doesn’t, I explored how other popular homework help sites like Brainly, StudyPool, and Chegg handled question submissions. Through this competitive analysis, I noticed common patterns, areas where students might get confused, and opportunities to improve the experience for younger users. I also looked at user reviews and app store feedback to understand what real students were saying about their experiences.

Key Findings

  1. Kids Need Simplicity

  • Kids between 7 and 14 got overwhelmed when there were too many steps or too much going on at once. When things were broken down into clear, simple steps, it was a lot easier for them to follow along and know what to do next.

2. Visual Guidance

  • Kids found it easier to follow along when there were clear icons, buttons, or progress bars instead of big chunks of text. The visuals made things less confusing and helped keep their attention.

3. Uploading a Photo Is Easier

  • Most kids didn’t like typing out their homework questions because it felt like extra work. They liked being able to just take a photo and upload it instead.

4. Confirmation and Feedback Matter

  • When there wasn’t a clear message or next step, kids weren’t sure if their question actually went through. Simple things like a checkmark or a quick status update helped them feel way more confident.

Research Conclusion

  • The research showed that kids between 7 and 14 do best with a simple, visual interface that walks them through how to ask a question. They also want to know right away that their question was submitted and when they’ll get a response. These takeaways shaped the redesign, helping me focus on making things clear, reassuring, and easy to use.

Persona Based Off Of RESEARCH

Mockups