Obsidian School—Simplifying Learning for a New Era of Digital Notes
Empowering users to master the art of digital note-taking with engaging resources and an intuitive platform.
MY ROLE
As the sole designer for the Obsidian School initiative, I was responsible for every aspect of the design process, from user research to high-fidelity prototypes, ensuring the platform met the needs of Obsidian's diverse user base.
DELIVERABLES
- User Research (Surveys and Interviews)
- High-Fidelity Designs
- Interactive Prototypes
- SaaS App Feature Development
TEAM
Emil (Me): UX Designer
DURATION
6 months
Project summary
Obsidian is a powerful tool for digital note-taking, but many users struggle to fully utilize its capabilities. To address this, I designed and developed Obsidian School—a dedicated platform featuring tutorials, guides, and user-generated content.This initiative aimed to simplify the learning curve, empower users to unlock the app’s full potential, and foster a vibrant community where ideas and innovations could be shared.
My Contribution
- Conducted user research through surveys and interviews to understand user challenges.
- Designed the structure and user interface of Obsidian School to deliver an intuitive and engaging learning experience.
- Established a monetization system that incentivized users to contribute unique and helpful content.
- Integrated accessibility features, such as transcription for deaf users and expandable displays for better engagement.
Users and needs
Our research revealed two major needs:
- Better Organization Tools: Users sought a simpler way to categorize, search, and retrieve notes. The complexity of Obsidian’s mental model made it challenging for new users to adapt.
- Enhanced Features for Usability: Users prioritized improvements such as an AI assistant, Google integration, seamless device synchronization, and a more robust mobile app.
Outcome statement
The launch of Obsidian School delivered measurable impact:
- 1.5% Increase in Monthly Revenue: 1.5% Increase in Monthly Revenue: Reflecting
- 4.5% Increase in Feature Adoption Rates: Demonstrating the effectiveness of the platform in addressing user challenges.
- A growing library of user-generated tutorials enriched community collaboration and learning.
Solution 1: Obsidian School
A platform designed to act as the “YouTube for Obsidian users,” enabling users to create, share, and discover innovative ways to use the app.
Solution 2: Onboarding Explanations
I developed concise animations that simplified key concepts, making it easier for users to grasp Obsidian’s unique approach to digital note-taking.
Solution 3: Accessibility and Inclusivity
To ensure the platform was user-friendly, I incorporated features like:
- Expandable video displays.
- Automatic text-to-speech and transcription for deaf users.
User Personas & Flows
- Conducted two user surveys with 130 participants.
- Interviewed five active users (0-1 year of experience).
- Mapped user insights using affinity diagrams to define pain points and opportunities.
- Developed user personas based on the research, tailoring the platform to meet their specific needs.
Interactive Prototype
Key Design Decisions
Community-Driven Content:
Users were incentivized to create and share high-quality tutorials, enriching the platform with diverse insights.
Simplified Learning Curve:
The app’s design emphasized intuitive navigation, reducing friction for new users.
Global Accessibility
Regional analysis informed design decisions, ensuring the platform resonated across user demographics.
Learnings
Time Management
I learned the importance of focusing on high-priority tasks and aligning daily activities with long-term objectives to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Goal setting
Setting clear, realistic goals is essential to maintaining momentum and avoiding burnout. I recognized the need to balance ambition with feasibility to ensure steady progress.
