The OPT Application Process, simplified.
Task-tracker designed specifically for international students applying for OPT.
Visa-Vis
01 / WHAT IS OPT
Optional Practice Training (OPT) is a benefit for students in F-1 visa status that allows them to apply for employment authorization following their graduation. The "application" refers to the process of applying for OPT approval.
02 / OUR GOAL
OPT application can seem like a long and complicated process, because it may require a long time to research and collect the necessary information. Our goal when developing Visa-vis is to provide a sensible, easy-to-use UI and ease the task of completing this process.
*: Picture for illustration purpose only, final product may be subject to change.
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MEET F-1
OUR STORY
Visa-vis was developed as the final project for Human Computer Interaction, a course taught Fall 2019 at Macalester College.
OUR VISION
The OPT application is hard to organize with currently existing tools and resources. They do not support such a deadline sensitive process.
Also, finding and consolidating information puts an unnecessary burden on the student, who is likely busy with senior year projects and applying and interviewing for jobs.
We want to change that.
OUR TECHNOLOGY
The digital prototype demo is created with Figma™, and our web application is built on React.js.
Kevin Shin
Mathematics, Computer Science, Philosophy
Macalester College, 2020
Juan David Garrido Rojas
Computer Science
Macalester College, 2020
Francis Ma
Computer Science & Mathematics
Macalester College, 2020
Raza Khalid
Computer Science
Macalester College, 2020
Michael Maldonado
Computer Science
Macalester College, 2020
Our Design Process
Through contextual inquiry, our team identified two main problems applicants face in the OPT process:
1. The Information Problem
Applicants lack easy access to relevant information about the process.
2. The Organization Problem
Applicants find organizing all the steps of the process difficult.
As such, our first design idea was to provide two interfaces—one which would display information, and the other that would provide a checklist for those tasks:
Through contextual inquiry, our team identified two main problems applicants face in the OPT process:
1. The Information Problem
Applicants lack easy access to relevant information about the process.
2. The Organization Problem
Applicants find organizing all the steps of the process difficult.
As such, our first design idea was to provide two interfaces—one which would display information, and the other that would provide a checklist for those tasks:
Through contextual inquiry, our team identified two main problems applicants face in the OPT process:
1. The Information Problem
Applicants lack easy access to relevant information about the process.
2. The Organization Problem
Applicants find organizing all the steps of the process difficult.
As such, our first design idea was to provide two interfaces—one which would display information, and the other that would provide a checklist for those tasks:
GET IN TOUCH
As designers, we are always seeking to improve the usability of our app and we are committed to making our product accessible to everyone. If you have comments, suggestions, critique, feedback—anything you would like to see—please reach out to us!
1600 Grand Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
This website describes an application built as an undergraduate project for Human Computer Interaction, and does NOT constitute the description, advertisement, or commercial availability of a real software. The information provided on this website or the application does not constitute legal advice and should not be taken as such. While effort has been made to represent the process as fairly and accurately as possible, the information on this page is limited and may contain errors, and is ultimately shaped within the context of the project assignment for the course.
Acknowledgements
This application was submitted as the final project for Human Computer Interaction, taught by
Professor Lauren Milne at Macalester College during the Fall 2019 semester.
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We thank Lauren for her support, expertise, and guidance which made our final product possible.