The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam supports prospective students in choosing their studies

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) assists future students in various ways to help them select the right study program. They organize open days where students can visit the campus and experience the available programs firsthand. Additionally, the VU offers online tools like the Study Inspirator. This smart tool uses questions about students’ interests and personalities to provide an overview of study programs that suit them.

For this popular service, the VU enlisted Total Design to create a new, modern design. Since the tool specifically targets high school students from both the Netherlands and abroad, it needed to feel youthful, fresh, and contemporary.

Designing for Generation Alpha

Our designers delved into the world of Generation Alpha—youth born after 2010, who have grown up with tablets, AI, and algorithms as integral parts of their lives. For this generation, online interaction is not just functional but an experience in itself.

Key Insights

Visually appealing and intuitive: Generation Alpha is highly visually oriented. Bright colors, smooth animations, and a simple, user-friendly interface are crucial. They want to instantly understand how something works.
Gamification: Accustomed to games and rewards, this generation responds well to gamified elements. Challenges, progress bars, or badges make exploring study options not only informative but also fun and motivating.
Fast and interactive: Patience isn’t their strong suit. Everything must load quickly and feel playful, with interactive elements encouraging further exploration.
Mobile-first: While desktops remain relevant, the tool must function flawlessly on smartphones, the primary device for Generation Alpha.

Our designers translated these insights into a fresh, future-proof design for the Study Inspirator.

The Result?

A tool that not only aids in study selection but also meets the expectations of this digital-savvy generation, inspiring them to explore their future.