3D Maze

A platform for teaching programming fundamentals through maze-based challenges

2023

Data Science and AI Research Centre @ NTU

Impact
Delivered moderate to significant improvements in student learning and engagement (reported by instructors)
Achieved 74% positive user experience rating from students on launch
Successfully scaled to support 6,000+ students in a live university course

Role

Product Designer

Software

Figma

Team

Frontend developer

Backed developer

Expertise

Interaction design

Information architecture

Visual design

UX writing

Role

Product Designer

Software

Figma

Team

Frontend developer

Backed developer

Expertise

Interaction design

Information architecture

Visual design

UX writing

Thanks for checking out my portfolio!

I’m still polishing up the tablet experience. In the meantime, please check out my portfolio on desktop or mobile.

Thanks for checking out my portfolio!

I’m still polishing up the tablet experience. In the meantime, please check out my portfolio on desktop or mobile.

Platform background and expansion

Platform background and expansion

Scaling the platform from 50 to 6,000 undergraduates

3D Maze had been part of a specialised course since 2015. In 2023, the university chose to use it in a general education course to address low engagement and poor student feedback.

Scaling the platform from 50 to 6,000 undergraduates

3D Maze had been part of a specialised course since 2015. In 2023, the university chose to use it in a general education course to address low engagement and poor student feedback.

Scaling the platform from 50 to 6,000 undergraduates

3D Maze had been part of a specialised course since 2015. In 2023, the university chose to use it in a general education course to address low engagement and poor student feedback.

Scaling the platform from 50 to 6,000 undergraduates

3D Maze had been part of a specialised course since 2015. In 2023, the university chose to use it in a general education course to address low engagement and poor student feedback.

Scaling the platform from 50 to 6,000 undergraduates

3D Maze had been part of a specialised course since 2015. In 2023, the university chose to use it in a general education course to address low engagement and poor student feedback.

Course structure and student demographics

Course structure and student demographics

Limited time for platform adoption

Given the limited exposure to 3D Maze, students were unlikely to invest effort in learning the tool, requiring the experience to feel approachable from the outset.

First-time users with limited patience

The platform was introduced to a largely unfamiliar and unmotivated audience. This meant clarity and ease of use were critical for platform adoption.

Limited time for platform adoption

Given the limited exposure to 3D Maze, students were unlikely to invest effort in learning the tool, requiring the experience to feel approachable from the outset.

Limited time for platform adoption

Given the limited exposure to 3D Maze, students were unlikely to invest effort in learning the tool, requiring the experience to feel approachable from the outset.

Limited time for platform adoption

Given the limited exposure to 3D Maze, students were unlikely to invest effort in learning the tool, requiring the experience to feel approachable from the outset.

Limited time for platform adoption

Given the limited exposure to 3D Maze, students were unlikely to invest effort in learning the tool, requiring the experience to feel approachable from the outset.

First-time users with limited patience

The platform was introduced to a largely unfamiliar and unmotivated audience. This meant clarity and ease of use were critical for platform adoption.

Core usability fixes

Core usability fixes

Reducing cognitive load at first contact

The original toolbar exposed all available controls upfront, overwhelming first-time users. In the new design, core actions were prioritised while secondary ones were progressively disclosed to reduce friction.

Reducing cognitive load at first contact

The original toolbar exposed all available controls upfront, overwhelming first-time users. In the new design, core actions were prioritised while secondary ones were progressively disclosed to reduce friction.

Reducing cognitive load at first contact

The original toolbar exposed all available controls upfront, overwhelming first-time users. In the new design, core actions were prioritised while secondary ones were progressively disclosed to reduce friction.

Decreasing friction when saving work

The original Save UI was visually inconsistent and made key inputs and actions easy to miss. The new layout clarified visual hierarchy so students could complete the same steps with less hesitation.

Decreasing friction when saving work

The original Save UI was visually inconsistent and made key inputs and actions easy to miss. The new layout clarified visual hierarchy so students could complete the same steps with less hesitation.

Decreasing friction when saving work

The original Save UI was visually inconsistent and made key inputs and actions easy to miss. The new layout clarified visual hierarchy so students could complete the same steps with less hesitation.

On-demand guidance without interrupting progress

The help experience previously forced students through a scripted tutorial, consuming limited session time. In the new design, this was replaced with on-demand tips that supported self-paced exploration.

On-demand guidance without interrupting progress

The help experience previously forced students through a scripted tutorial, consuming limited session time. In the new design, this was replaced with on-demand tips that supported self-paced exploration.

On-demand guidance without interrupting progress

The help experience previously forced students through a scripted tutorial, consuming limited session time. In the new design, this was replaced with on-demand tips that supported self-paced exploration.

On-demand guidance without interrupting progress

The help experience previously forced students through a scripted tutorial, consuming limited session time. In the new design, this was replaced with on-demand tips that supported self-paced exploration.

On-demand guidance without interrupting progress

The help experience previously forced students through a scripted tutorial, consuming limited session time. In the new design, this was replaced with on-demand tips that supported self-paced exploration.

Improving focus during problem solving

The original layout constrained the maze view to a small window, increasing the chance of misreading the maze. In the redesign, these constraints were removed to provide clarity and reduced visual errors during problem solving.

Improving focus during problem solving

The original layout constrained the maze view to a small window, increasing the chance of misreading the maze. In the redesign, these constraints were removed to provide clarity and reduced visual errors during problem solving.

Improving focus during problem solving

The original layout constrained the maze view to a small window, increasing the chance of misreading the maze. In the redesign, these constraints were removed to provide clarity and reduced visual errors during problem solving.

Improving focus during problem solving

The original layout constrained the maze view to a small window, increasing the chance of misreading the maze. In the redesign, these constraints were removed to provide clarity and reduced visual errors during problem solving.

Improving focus during problem solving

The original layout constrained the maze view to a small window, increasing the chance of misreading the maze. In the redesign, these constraints were removed to provide clarity and reduced visual errors during problem solving.

Features for learning engagement

Features for learning engagement

Providing agency without increasing complexity

Maze size configuration was previously optional and easy to overlook. By making it a required upfront step, this introduced agency while keeping the core workflow simple.

Providing agency without increasing complexity

Maze size configuration was previously optional and easy to overlook. By making it a required upfront step, this introduced agency while keeping the core workflow simple.

Providing agency without increasing complexity

Maze size configuration was previously optional and easy to overlook. By making it a required upfront step, this introduced agency while keeping the core workflow simple.

Providing agency without increasing complexity

Maze size configuration was previously optional and easy to overlook. By making it a required upfront step, this introduced agency while keeping the core workflow simple.

Providing agency without increasing complexity

Maze size configuration was previously optional and easy to overlook. By making it a required upfront step, this introduced agency while keeping the core workflow simple.

Making performance visible and motivating

Completing a maze previously provided no insight into how well students performed. The new design addresses this issue by showing a performance breakdown, encouraging students replay and improve their performance.

Making performance visible and motivating

Completing a maze previously provided no insight into how well students performed. The new design addresses this issue by showing a performance breakdown, encouraging students replay and improve their performance.

Making performance visible and motivating

Completing a maze previously provided no insight into how well students performed. The new design addresses this issue by showing a performance breakdown, encouraging students replay and improve their performance.

Making performance visible and motivating

Completing a maze previously provided no insight into how well students performed. The new design addresses this issue by showing a performance breakdown, encouraging students replay and improve their performance.

Making performance visible and motivating

Completing a maze previously provided no insight into how well students performed. The new design addresses this issue by showing a performance breakdown, encouraging students replay and improve their performance.

Supporting better decisions through feedback

In-game performance was previously limited. In the new design, a consolidated score panel surfaced key metrics to help students adjust their strategies in real time.

Supporting better decisions through feedback

In-game performance was previously limited. In the new design, a consolidated score panel surfaced key metrics to help students adjust their strategies in real time.

Supporting better decisions through feedback

In-game performance was previously limited. In the new design, a consolidated score panel surfaced key metrics to help students adjust their strategies in real time.

Supporting better decisions through feedback

In-game performance was previously limited. In the new design, a consolidated score panel surfaced key metrics to help students adjust their strategies in real time.

Supporting better decisions through feedback

In-game performance was previously limited. In the new design, a consolidated score panel surfaced key metrics to help students adjust their strategies in real time.