Our Story

As the 17th presidium member of the UM-SJTU Joint Institute Student Union, I co-initiated the project “JISU One-Day Tour Applet”, a WeChat mini-game designed to capture the essence of student life at our institute. I was responsible for project management and UI/UX design, working alongside an incredible team: co-initiators Lingbo Duan and Wanli Song, and the many dedicated members of the 17th Student Union.

What is JISU One-Day Tour?

The JISU One-Day Tour Applet is a creative bridge between the Student Union and our community. Inspired by the storytelling format of a gal-game , the app narrates the stories behind our signature events—such as the Spring Ball and Luncheon Party—by transforming them into interactive experiences. Each department’s activities are reimagined as engaging narratives, carefully reviewed by the presidium to ensure quality and authenticity.

We first built the game during freshman summer break and continued refining it throughout our sophomore year. It quickly became a hit among the 2022 freshmen, serving as an exciting introduction to JISU’s vibrant campus life. The JISU One-Day Tour Applet stands as a fusion of creativity, collaboration, and innovation—a reflection of our collective spirit.

Development History

Initiation and prototype

The project began inearly May 2022, when I joined two peers to form the founding group. At the time, we were preparing for the Service Month, a period when candidates for the presidium showcase their capabilities before the democratic election. We believed the mini-game would be a unique way to highlight our vision for the Student Union.

From the start, our goals were clear: to make the Student Union more accessible by narrowing the gap between the organization and the student body; to promote transparency by allowing players to virtually experience the behind-the-scenes preparation of events; and to strengthen the Union's cultural identity by showcasing its activities in an innovative format. Our prototype, built primarily on the WeChat Open Platform, was released at the end of May and received over 1,000 views on its very first day.

🌍 MVP Release Note on May 2022

Refined Version

After officially taking office, we expanded the project into a full-scale collaboration involving more than 30 student volunteers. We divided responsibilities into three groups: UI design, scriptwriting, and technology. I led both the UI design and scriptwriting teams, ensuring that players were immersed in our storytelling through a seamless blend of graphics and narrative. Meanwhile, the tech team implemented the game using Unity and the open-source Nova framework.

The finished app debuted during the freshmen welcoming reception, where it offered new students an engaging window into JISU life. Many described it as “impressive and attractive,” appreciating how it guided them not only through our activities but also into the spirit of collaboration behind them.

The released version introduced several features to enhance interactivity and engagement. Players could save and review their progress, fast forward through previously visited scenes to explore new story branches, and interact through multiple-choice dialogues, to-do list ordering, and even direct text input. These design elements made the experience dynamic, personalized, and fun.

🌍 Release Note on Sept 2022

Continued Update

In July 2023, as the 17th Student Union retired and the 18th took office, we passed on all project documents and repositories to ensure the app's legacy. Our hope is that future members will continue refining the JISU One-Day Tour Applet, shaping it into a landmark project that embodies the Joint Institute's unique blend of campus culture and engineering innovation. The app remains not just a game, but a living tribute to our belief in creativity, contribution, and collaboration.