Who is doing the task?
New users, like as Mark and Ken, who are signing up for Orbit for the first time. These are students looking to find meaningful social connections in a way that feels intentional, low-pressure, and aligned with their interests.
Mark is an outgoing but selective socializer, while Ken is shy but eager to connect. Both want to ensure they meet people who match or complement each other’s values, interests, and social goals.
Since random interactions haven’t worked well for them in the past, they are willing to invest time in answering detailed questions about themselves so that the app can help them find better matches.
At the same time, they need reassurance that their personal information will be kept private and secure, especially since this is a student-only platform that requires university verification.
Where is the task being done?
This task takes place in the Orbit onboarding process as soon as a user downloads and opens the app for the first time.
- Users go through a structured flow that asks about their background, interests, values, and social goals.
- At the final step, they upload their university ID for verification, ensuring that Orbit remains a safe, student-only space.
Since this is a first-time setup task, it should feel engaging and purposeful—not overwhelming or tedious.
What is the goal of the person doing the task?
Users want to:
- Make sure their experience on Orbit is meaningful. They want to find people they genuinely connect with, not just random acquaintances.
- Feel that the app understands who they are. They are willing to share information but only if they trust that it will help them get better connections.
- Know that their data is secure. They don’t want their personal details visible to just anyone, and they need to trust that Orbit respects their privacy.
- Verify their student identity quickly and easily. Since this is a student-only platform, they want to complete verification smoothly without technical issues.
A well-designed onboarding experience increases user confidence, it helps them feel that Orbit is built for people like them and that it will work in their favor.
When is the task being done and how long should it take?
- This task occurs only once: during the first-time signup process.
- It should take around 5-7 minutes (long enough to gather meaningful data but short enough to avoid frustration).
- The verification step should happen instantly or within a few hours to prevent delays in using the app.
If the process feels too long, users might drop off and never complete their profile, but if it’s too short, they may doubt the app’s ability to match them well.
Detailed Task Flow
- Creating an Account
- Users sign up with their email and password or SSO (Single Sign-On) with university credentials.
- Answering Personal Questions
- Users fill out details about their interests, values, and social goals.
- They can select pre-set options or write custom responses to reflect their personality.
- They indicate whether they’re looking for friendships, debate partners, study groups, etc.
- Setting Privacy Preferences
- Users choose what information is visible to others.
- They receive clear messaging about how their data is used and protected.
- University ID Verification
- Users upload their university ID or link their university email for verification.
- The system either automatically verifies it or flags it for manual review.
- Final Confirmation & Access
- Once verified, users gain full access to the app and can start browsing requests.
Why This Task Matters
Orbit is not just another social app, it’s a platform designed for real, intentional connections.
- A well-structured onboarding ensures that users feel invested in the experience from the beginning.
- Verification keeps the community safe and exclusive to students, building trust.
- Asking the right questions upfront improves matchmaking, increasing the chances of meaningful conversations.
A strong onboarding experience directly impacts retention. If users feel that Orbit “gets” them, they are far more likely to stay and engage with the platform.