Fun and addictive learning
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Students want a study tool that’s fast, fun, and feels effortless.
Study Bomb uses AI agents to take what you’re reading and turn it into songs, podcasts, flashcards, quizzes, summaries, and answers in one click — making studying feel less boring.
My research team in the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program built Study Bomb to be the tool students naturally reach for, because it matches the way they already learn and keeps them coming back.
Students want a study tool that’s fast, fun, and feels effortless.
Study Bomb uses AI agents to take what you’re reading and turn it into songs, podcasts, flashcards, quizzes, summaries, and answers in one click — making studying feel less boring.
My research team in the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program built Study Bomb to be the tool students naturally reach for, because it matches the way they already learn and keeps them coming back.
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
Product Manager
TEAM
TEAM
Engineering
Data
Marketing
Engineering
Data
Marketing
DURATION
DURATION
Mar 2025 – Aug 2025
Mar 2025 – Aug 2025
USER PROBLEMS
USER PROBLEMS
Students don't learn with ChatGPT and Quizlet
Students don't learn with ChatGPT and Quizlet
I just copy and paste the answers from ChatGPT.
Quizlet is so slow! Chegg is so expensive.
I stop paying attention in class after a few minutes.
Switching between apps wastes my time.
I only study the day before an exam.
I hate typing, I just want to click a single button.
I feel like I’m not learning stuff I'd use at work.
I don’t know if the AI answer is lying to me.
AI talks like I'm a genius but I'm just a normal person.
I don't have any time to do my homework so I just cheat.
"I just copy and paste the answers from ChatGPT."
"Quizlet is so slow! Chegg is so expensive."
"I stop paying attention in class after a few minutes."
"Switching between apps wastes my time."
"I only study the day before an exam."
"I hate typing, I just want to click a single button."
"I feel like I’m not learning stuff I'd use at work."
"I don’t know if the AI answer is lying to me."
"AI talks like I'm a genius but I'm just a normal person."
"I don't have any time to do my homework so I just cheat."
PRODUCT STRATEGY
PRODUCT STRATEGY
Creating the easiest study tool students will actually use every day
The strategy was simple: if it’s faster, more fun, and more reliable than what students use now, they won’t go back.
Meet students where they are: works on top of the sites and apps they already use.
Low mental load: keeps focus without overwhelming with features.
Feels rewarding instantly: every action gives progress they can see.
One click, no effort — cut out extra steps that make people quit studying.
The strategy was simple: if it’s faster, more fun, and more reliable than what students use now, they won’t go back.
Meet students where they are: works on top of the sites and apps they already use.
Low mental load: keeps focus without overwhelming with features.
Feels rewarding instantly: every action gives progress they can see.
One click, no effort — cut out extra steps that make people quit studying.
CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS
Cost: Free AI only, no paid AI models from OpenAI or Anthropic. Daily rate limits forced efficiency in product strategy and design.
Time to market: New AI products release everyday, and being first matters. Before launch, similar apps were released making production time essential to acquire users before competition does.
Speed vs. Accuracy: Chose Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite for instant answers over slower, pricier Gemini 2.5 Pro. Traded some accuracy for higher engagement.
Cloud: Ran on-device to reduce cloud costs. Cloud only stored API keys and sent Gemini API calls. User activity was tracked in PostHog and Slack for real-time analytics.
Cost: Free AI only, no paid AI models from OpenAI or Anthropic. Daily rate limits forced efficiency in product strategy and design.
Time to market: New AI products release everyday, and being first matters. Before launch, similar apps were released making production time essential to acquire users before competition does.
Speed vs. Accuracy: Chose Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite for instant answers over slower, pricier Gemini 2.5 Pro. Traded some accuracy for higher engagement.
Cloud: Ran on-device to reduce cloud costs. Cloud only stored API keys and sent Gemini API calls. User activity was tracked in PostHog and Slack for real-time analytics.
MINIMUM LOVABLE PRODUCT
Building features users will love
Building features users will love
We focused on creating a product students love from day one, not just tolerate. Instead of shipping a bare-minimum MVP, every feature in the first release feels rewarding and worth returning to.
Core focus: The highest-impact features students would love on day one.
One-click learning: Instantly turn any reading material into flashcards, quizzes, or summaries.
Works where students study: Runs on top of existing sites and tools — no switching apps.
Local memory: Remembers user preferences between sessions without sign-in.
Future roadmap: What we're launching later to ship faster.
Actions: MCP agents that completes tasks for users
Dashboards: track student progress on a teacher portal
Single-Sign On: Enterprise-grade SSO
Why this worked
Shipping an MLP meant we could launch faster than competitors, test with real students, and get feedback while the app was still unique in the market.
We focused on creating a product students love from day one, not just tolerate. Instead of shipping a bare-minimum MVP, every feature in the first release feels rewarding and worth returning to.
Core focus: The highest-impact features students would love on day one.
One-click learning: Instantly turn any reading material into flashcards, quizzes, or summaries.
Works where students study: Runs on top of existing sites and tools — no switching apps.
Local memory: Remembers user preferences between sessions without sign-in.
Future roadmap: What we're launching later to ship faster.
Actions: MCP agents that completes tasks for users
Dashboards: track student progress on a teacher portal
Single-Sign On: Enterprise-grade SSO
Why this worked
Shipping an MLP meant we could launch faster than competitors, test with real students, and get feedback while the app was still unique in the market.
COMPETITORS
Other products best (and worst) features helped make a better app for students
By studying what top apps do best—and worst—Study Bomb combines the most engaging, high-retention features into one app built for students. It makes learning fast and easy, unlike slow and confusing user experiences common in competitors.
By studying what top apps do best—and worst—Study Bomb combines the most engaging, high-retention features into one app built for students. It makes learning fast and easy, unlike slow and confusing user experiences common in competitors.
Competitors
Competitors
Study Bomb
Study Bomb
ChatGPT
ChatGPT
Quizlet
Quizlet
Chegg
Chegg
Monica AI
Monica AI
Cost
Cost
Free or
$
Free or
$
Free or
$$
Free or
$$
Free or
$$
Free or
$$
$$$
$$$
$$
$$
Primary Function
Primary Function
AI for
schools
AI for
schools
AI
AI
Flashcards
Flashcards
Homework
solver
Homework
solver
AI
AI
AI
Works
offline
Works on
any website
Remembers
who you are
Fast and
easy to use
Strengths
Strengths
Context-aware answers
Made for students
No sign-in
700M+ users
Answers anything
Supports many languages
Huge flashcard database
Study games
Teacher dashboard
Large solution archive
Step-by-step explanations
24/7 human help
Works inside browser tabs
Context from active page
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
No multi-device sync yet
No progress tracking yet
Needs internet
Generates errors
Limited study tools
AI accuracy low
Paywalled features
No offline mode
High monthly cost
Ads in free tier
No personalization
Confusing UI
Limited free tier
No student tools
No offline mode
Confusing UI
Limited free tier
No student tools
No offline mode
DESIGN
Prototyping improved collaboration and user experience
We skipped wireframes, going straight to high-fidelity prototypes to move fast. AI reduced build time from weeks to minutes, letting us test real features early to focus on team communication and alignment.
We skipped wireframes, going straight to high-fidelity prototypes to move fast. AI reduced build time from weeks to minutes, letting us test real features early to focus on team communication and alignment.
For You: AI personalized suggestions from interests
For You: AI suggestions from your interests.
Songs: Created instantly from any topic
Songs: Created instantly from any topic
Game Quiz: Addictive learning challenges
Game Quiz: Addictive learning challenges
Podcasts: On any subject you choose
Podcasts: On any subject you choose
Flashcards: Auto-generated from your study material
Flashcard: Auto-generated from your study material
Quiz: Tailored questions to test your knowledge
Quiz: Tailored questions to test your knowledge
Mental Health: Quick ways to track your well-being
Mental Health: Quick ways to track your well-being
Subscriptions: Flexible plans for everyone
Subscriptions: Flexible plans for everyone
DATA ANALYTICS
Conducting usability testing and validation to improve user satisfaction
Conducting usability testing and validation to improve user satisfaction
We skipped formal labs and tested directly with current and former students — basically everyone. Feedback flowed constantly, helping shape which study tools mattered most. In production, we used PostHog, Slack, and Microsoft Clarity (free tiers) to track clicks, usage, and errors, focusing on the most-loved features and catching issues fast. We also sent design screenshots to AIs for suggestions but made final calls from our own experience. The result: 70% DAU, 85% WAU, and 40-minute average daily sessions — proof of strong engagement and retention. A well-executed and well-loved product!
We skipped formal labs and tested directly with current and former students — basically everyone. Feedback flowed constantly, helping shape which study tools mattered most. In production, we used PostHog, Slack, and Microsoft Clarity (free tiers) to track clicks, usage, and errors, focusing on the most-loved features and catching issues fast. We also sent design screenshots to AIs for suggestions but made final calls from our own experience. The result: 70% DAU, 85% WAU, and 40-minute average daily sessions — proof of strong engagement and retention. A well-executed and well-loved product!
USER EXPERIENCE
USER EXPERIENCE
Accessibility gives everyone an equal opportunity to learn
Accessibility gives everyone an equal opportunity to learn
Ensuring the prototype was inclusive for users with various impairments and challenges required a precise and thoughtful approach.
Visual: I implemented high-contrast colors, ARIA labels, and tab index to buttons.
Motor: I designed larger touch targets and adequate spacing between elements.
Auditory: I planned for auto-generated captions and gen AI audio descriptions.
Cognitive: I incorporated low-saturation colors, autocompleted searches, an adjustable color theme, maintained a familiar layout and navigation, and added visual feedback to interactions.
Ensuring the prototype was inclusive for users with various impairments and challenges required a precise and thoughtful approach.
Visual: I implemented high-contrast colors, ARIA labels, and tab index to buttons.
Motor: I designed larger touch targets and adequate spacing between elements.
Auditory: I planned for auto-generated captions and gen AI audio descriptions.
Cognitive: I incorporated low-saturation colors, autocompleted searches, an adjustable color theme, maintained a familiar layout and navigation, and added visual feedback to interactions.
Results
Results
Study Bomb quickly became a daily habit for students, with 70% using it every day and 85% at least weekly, averaging 40 minutes per session. Students reported that it “finally made studying fun” and “cut hours off my homework time,” with flashcards, quizzes, and context-aware answers becoming clear favorites. This sustained engagement proved not just that the product worked, but that it filled a real gap in students’ learning routines — making studying feel faster, easier, and worth coming back to.
Challenges and insights
Challenges and insights
Throughout the Study Bomb product development, I encountered and overcame several obstacles, demonstrating my problem-solving skills and adaptability:
Timeline: There was a temptation to add too many features. I focused on core functionalities that could be realistically prototyped and tested within the project timeline.
Information Architecture: A lot of study apps are cluttered and overwhelming to users. I streamlined the interface, prioritizing key features and implementing an delightful design system to enhance user experience.
Design System: Developing a unique visual identity while maintaining familiarity was tricky. I iterated on brand colors and typography to strike a balance between novelty and usability.
Throughout the Study Bomb product development, I encountered and overcame several obstacles, demonstrating my problem-solving skills and adaptability:
Timeline: There was a temptation to add too many features. I focused on core functionalities that could be realistically prototyped and tested within the project timeline.
Information Architecture: A lot of study apps are cluttered and overwhelming to users. I streamlined the interface, prioritizing key features and implementing an delightful design system to enhance user experience.
Design System: Developing a unique visual identity while maintaining familiarity was tricky. I iterated on brand colors and typography to strike a balance between novelty and usability.
Study Bomb
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