Designers
Chloe Yan, Jenn Choi
Year
2025
Category
New Talent
Country
United States
School
New York University

Three questions to the project team
What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The main UX challenge was designing an interface that could seamlessly integrate multiple data streams (smart glasses, mobile devices, real-time content capture) without overwhelming users. We had to balance comprehensive functionality with cognitive ease—ensuring students could access AI-powered features while staying focused on learning. The biggest hurdle was creating intuitive interactions across different devices and contexts, from passive content capture through smart glasses to active engagement via mobile apps. We also faced the challenge of making complex AI capabilities feel transparent and trustworthy rather than intrusive or confusing.
What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
The breakthrough moment came during user interviews when we realized students weren't just struggling with note-taking—they were experiencing fragmented learning experiences that traditional tools couldn't address. This led to our 'aha!' moment: instead of building another note-taking app, we needed to create an adaptive learning companion that responds to confusion in real-time. The low point was early prototyping when technical complexity nearly overwhelmed usability. However, focusing on modular design and user-centered iteration helped us find the right balance between innovation and practical functionality.
Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In five years, I envision Thinkle as a comprehensive learning ecosystem integrated across educational institutions globally. The platform will have evolved beyond academic support to encompass professional training and lifelong learning. We'll likely have partnerships with major LMS providers and wearable tech companies, with our AI having learned from millions of learning interactions to provide even more personalized guidance. Personally, I see myself leading the expansion into new markets while maintaining our core mission of making quality education accessible and adaptive for every learner, regardless of their background or learning style.


