Social-Platform

Social-Platform

Social-Platform

Using design gaps to create foundational structure that guides & develops Beta-product readiness.

Using design gaps to create foundational structure that guides & develops Beta-product readiness.

Using design gaps to create foundational structure that guides & develops Beta-product readiness.

*Due to client NDA terms, the logo has been changed and company name has been excluded. Also, certain areas of text copy has been replaced with descriptive text instead of site verbatim.

*Due to client NDA terms, the logo has been changed and company name has been excluded. Also, certain areas of text copy has been replaced with descriptive text instead of site verbatim.

Question gathering user data for site development. *NDA prevents showing actual content*

Question gathering user data for site development. *NDA prevents showing actual content*

Question gathering user data for site development. *NDA prevents showing actual content*

*Due to client NDA terms, the logo has been changed and company name has been excluded. Also, certain areas of text copy has been replaced with descriptive text instead of site verbatim.

Goal-tracking flows tied to badge rewards that strengthen user engagement.


Users can add the number of goals as desired by clicking the underscored “+ Add Goals” text.

Each field is given a toggle switch button so users can indicate to the site admins that the goal has been completed.

Prototyped action is revealed once the user marks the 6th goal as complete.

User achieves the “Goal Getter” badge for completing all the goals they have set for themselves for the day and promotes further user engagement with setting goals and attaining different badges.

Course-based learning that reinforce the platform’s mission.


Original content showed disjointed navigation to the course enrollment CTA using multiple screens.

Original Screens

Update

By consolidating course info & CTA onto 1 screen, the updated version presents a clearer path through the course details that lead users to the course CTA.

Original Screen

Lacked opportunity for users to indicate to back end development that a video lesson has been completed.

  • Added toggle switch buttons for users to indicate the video lesson has been completed.

  • Once all videos have been marked as complete, this will indicate to admins that the user has completed the course.

Updated Version

User Flow for blog contributor forms.



Overwhelms users with copy text, especially having the bloggers form linked to a full http address instead of using a CTA button.



Original Screen

Screen copy was framed with rounded corners. padding & a white fill so users can read text against the blurred background image, giving more life to the screen.

Updated Screen

Form fields were created for users who routinely engage in blogging content and have an interest in writing blogs for the platform.

Version 1

Client feedback: Requested fields created for users to upload credentials as an option.

Final

Original blog content integrated with IRB touchpoints.

Original Blog Tiles

Content had limited representation and contained repeat imagery.

Blog topic tiles with new images to represent all of the content in the Blog section

Updated Blog Tiles

Warning labels were added for blogs containing possibly triggering content.

Sensitive Topic Blog Tile

Sensitive Topic Blog with IRB

  • IRB pops up like a drawer that users can swipe down to exit from.

  • Users have the option to skip or give further details

  • Content is blurred out with text only made visible if users indicate they're ready to engage with the content. 



New Resource Library Lading Screens.





Originally, the Resource Library had limited content for user interaction & needed more content to provide foundational structure to the section.

Original Screen

Client expressed that the landing screen felt “a little too busy on the eyes” with all of the tiles, and that the imagery used still felt “too dark”.

Version 1

Versions 2 & 3: Show the imagery used for the library sections were unnecessary & added to overwhelming the eyes. They were removed, but the marker coloring style borders were kept to maintain the more playful feel the client wanted.

Resource Library Drafts 2 & 3

The final version expands user scope of interaction with content within the Resource Library by:

  • “Coming Soon” section that highlights upcoming platform content.

  • Learning courses offered within the "Self Development" subsection of the library.

Final

  • Adding a horizontal scroll menu of featured blogs catered to the user

Process

Process

Process

Outcome & Impact

Outcome & Impact

Outcome & Impact

Through iterative prototyping and collaborative client feedback cycles, we transformed a fragmented beta into a cohesive, launch-ready ecosystem. The final solution:

Through iterative prototyping and collaborative client feedback cycles, we transformed a fragmented beta into a cohesive, launch-ready ecosystem. The final solution:

Through iterative prototyping and collaborative client feedback cycles, we transformed a fragmented beta into a cohesive, launch-ready ecosystem. The final solution:

  • Closed critical content gaps

  • Improved structural clarity and navigation

  • Strengthened the system’s infrastructure

  • Positioned the platform for long-term engagement that ensured a growing future user base

  • Closed critical content gaps

  • Improved structural clarity and navigation

  • Strengthened the system’s infrastructure

  • Positioned the platform for long-term engagement that ensured a growing future user base

  • Closed critical content gaps

  • Improved structural clarity and navigation

  • Strengthened the system’s infrastructure

  • Positioned the platform for long-term engagement that ensured a growing future user base

Full Resource Library Prototype

Resource Library Prototype

Full Resource Library Prototype

What I Learned

What I Learned

What I Learned

  • How to work within a design team.


  • How to work within a design team.


  • How to work within a design team.


  • Creating effective designs based on client feedback.


  • Creating effective designs based on client feedback.


  • Creating effective designs based on client feedback.


  • Honoring NDA requirements within design breakdowns.

  • Honoring NDA requirements within design breakdowns.

  • Honoring NDA requirements within design breakdowns.

Areas To Improve

Areas To Improve

Areas To Improve

  • Communitive Collaboration with other team members to more efficiently ideate & iterate designs


  • Communitive Collaboration with other team members to more efficiently ideate & iterate designs


  • Communitive Collaboration with other team members to more efficiently ideate & iterate designs


  • Initiating more descriptive client feedback that can better help guide design decisions.

  • Initiating more descriptive client feedback that can better help guide design decisions.

  • Initiating more descriptive client feedback that can better help guide design decisions.

I partnered with two other product designers to support a client preparing for beta launch. Our team was tasked with identifying design gaps that affected site navigation and alignment with the platform’s mission for its users. In addition to improving the front-end user experience, we were also assigned to:



I partnered with two other product designers to support a client preparing for beta launch. Our team was tasked with identifying design gaps that affected site navigation and alignment with the platform’s mission for its users. In addition to improving the front-end user experience, we were also assigned to:



Figma, Figjam, Riipen, Zoom

Tools:

UX research, user interviews, prototyping, usability testing

UX/UI designer, Prototype test moderator

Job duties:

Role:

  • Redraft original content that can structurally stabilize the and direct the type of content needed to round out the Resource Library prototype



  • Redraft original content that can structurally stabilize the and direct the type of content needed to round out the Resource Library prototype



  • Design a system of intuitive IRB checkpoints embedded within the user experience.



  • Create new content to help complete the platform's Resource Library to increase areas for user engagement in the beta prototype.



  • Create new content to help complete the platform's Resource Library to increase areas for user engagement in the beta prototype.



  • Design a system of intuitive IRB checkpoints embedded within the user experience.



Case Context

Case Context

Figma, Figjam

Figma, Figjam

Tools:

Tools:

Product design, prototyping, usability test moderator

Product design, prototyping, usability test moderator

UX/UI Designer

UX/UI Designer

Job duties:

Job duties:

Role:

Role:

Timeline: 5 Weeks

The Problem

The Problem

During our heuristic evaluation we identified: Lack of Content, Structure & User Engagement.


During our heuristic evaluation we identified: Lack of Content, Structure & User Engagement.


  • Lack of content across key platform areas platform that highly limited user interaction.


  • Lack of content across key platform areas platform that highly limited user interaction.


  • Inconsistent information hierarchy & fragmented UI patterns


  • Inconsistent information hierarchy & fragmented UI patterns


  • Structural gaps within the Resource Library, repeat imagery & structurally lacked foundational organization & scalability

  • Structural gaps within the Resource Library, repeat imagery & structurally lacked foundational organization & scalability

Addressing both content and structural deficiencies at this critical pre-launch stage was essential to ensuring a cohesive beta experience that demonstrates how users can engage with the platform.

Addressing both content and structural deficiencies at this critical pre-launch stage was essential to ensuring a cohesive beta experience that demonstrates how users can engage with the platform.

Original Screens

Original Screens

As a team, we conducted a comprehensive platform content audit  to uncover design gaps and navigation breakdowns. This allowed us to synthesize user-centered insights to improve clarity and mission alignment across the system.


We were also tasked to develop a framework for embedding IRB checkpoints into natural user interactions, allowing the platform to gather meaningful feedback without disrupting user flow.

I took ownership of restructuring and defining the Resource Library user experience. Redrafting original designs and creating new content was needed to provide more opportunity to showcase user interaction points for the beta prototype.

I took ownership of restructuring and defining the Resource Library user experience. Redrafting original designs and creating new content was needed to provide more opportunity to showcase user interaction points for the beta prototype.

I took ownership of restructuring and defining the Resource Library user experience. Redrafting original designs and creating new content was needed to provide more opportunity to showcase user interaction points for the beta prototype.

The Team Strategy

The Team Strategy

The Team Strategy

Delegation & Design Execution

Delegation & Design Execution

Delegation & Design Execution

As a team, we conducted a comprehensive platform content audit  to uncover design gaps and navigation breakdowns. This allowed us to synthesize user-centered insights to improve clarity and mission alignment across the system.


We were also tasked to develop a framework for embedding IRB checkpoints into natural user interactions, allowing the platform to gather meaningful feedback without disrupting user flow.

As a team, we conducted a comprehensive platform content audit  to uncover design gaps and navigation breakdowns. This allowed us to synthesize user-centered insights to improve clarity and mission alignment across the system.


We were also tasked to develop a framework for embedding IRB checkpoints into natural user interactions, allowing the platform to gather meaningful feedback without disrupting user flow.

New Resource Library landing screens.






New Resource Library landing screens.



Originally, the Resource Library had limited content for user interaction & needed more content to provide foundational structure to the section.

Originally, the Resource Library had limited content for user interaction & needed more content to provide foundational structure to the section.

Original Screen

Original Screen

Client expressed that the landing screen felt “a little too busy on the eyes” with all of the tiles, and that the imagery used still felt “too dark”.

Client expressed that the landing screen felt “a little too busy on the eyes” with all of the tiles, and that the imagery used still felt “too dark”.

Version 1

Version 1

Versions 2 & 3: Show the imagery used for the library sections were unnecessary & added to overwhelming the eyes. They were removed, but the marker coloring style borders were kept to maintain the more playful feel the client wanted.

Versions 2 & 3: Show the imagery used for the library sections were unnecessary & added to overwhelming the eyes. They were removed, but the marker coloring style borders were kept to maintain the more playful feel the client wanted.

Resource Library Drafts 2 & 3

Resource Library Drafts 2 & 3

Expands user scope of interaction with content within the Resource Library by:

Expands user scope of interaction with content within the Resource Library by:

  • “Coming Soon” section that highlights upcoming platform content.

  • “Coming Soon” section that highlights upcoming platform content.

  • Learning courses offered within the "Self Development" subsection of the library.

  • Learning courses offered within the "Self Development" subsection of the library.

  • Adding a horizontal scroll menu of featured blogs catered to the user

  • Adding a horizontal scroll menu of featured blogs catered to the user

Final Version

Final Version

Original blog content integrated with IRB touchpoints.

Original blog content integrated with IRB touchpoints.

Content had limited representation and contained repeat imagery.

Content had limited representation and contained repeat imagery.

Original Blog Tiles

Original Blog Tiles

Blog topic tiles with new images to represent all of the content in the Blog section

Blog topic tiles with new images to represent all of the content in the Blog section

Updated Blog Tiles

Updated Blog Tiles

Warning labels were added for blogs containing possibly triggering content.

Warning labels were added for blogs containing possibly triggering content.

Sensitive Topic Blog Tile

Sensitive Topic Blog Tile

  • IRB pops up like a drawer that users can swipe down to exit from.

  • IRB pops up like a drawer that users can swipe down to exit from.

  • Users have the option to skip or give further details

  • Users have the option to skip or give further details

  • Content is blurred out with text only made visible if users indicate they're ready to engage with the content. 



  • Content is blurred out with text only made visible if users indicate they're ready to engage with the content. 



Sensitive Topic Blog with IRB

Sensitive Topic Blog with IRB

User Flow for blog contributor forms.



User Flow for blog contributor forms.



Overwhelms users with copy text, especially having the bloggers form linked to a full http address instead of using a CTA button.



Overwhelms users with copy text, especially having the bloggers form linked to a full http address instead of using a CTA button.



Original Screen

Original Screen

Screen copy was framed with rounded corners. padding & a white fill so users can read text against the blurred background image, giving more life to the screen.

Screen copy was framed with rounded corners. padding & a white fill so users can read text against the blurred background image, giving more life to the screen.

Updated Screen

Updated Screen

Form fields were created for users who routinely engage in blogging content and have an interest in writing blogs for the platform.

Form fields were created for users who routinely engage in blogging content and have an interest in writing blogs for the platform.

Version 1

Version 1

Client feedback: Requested fields created for users to upload credentials as an option.

Client feedback: Requested fields created for users to upload credentials as an option.

Final

Final

Content for the Self-Development landing screen & section


Content for the Self-Development landing screen & section


  • The Self-Development subsection of the Resource Library lacked content providing foundational structure for user interaction in the prototype.

  • The Self-Development subsection of the Resource Library lacked content providing foundational structure for user interaction in the prototype.

  • Laying the foundation for the horizontal menu scroll would subsequently provide structure for the entire section.

  • Laying the foundation for the horizontal menu scroll would subsequently provide structure for the entire section.

The client disclosed that masterclasses would later be added, so tiles were created to represent content coming soon to that section.

The client disclosed that masterclasses would later be added, so tiles were created to represent content coming soon to that section.

Coming Soon Content

Coming Soon Content

  • Images were removed from the menu scroll to resemble the menu from resource library landing screen

  • Images were removed from the menu scroll to resemble the menu from resource library landing screen

Section Carousel Version 1

Section Carousel Version 1

  • Interview insights revealed users expected "Self Development" included:

  • Interview insights revealed users expected "Self Development" included:

- goal tracking

- goal tracking

- learning courses

- learning courses

Final Version

Final Version

Version 1

Version 1

Final Version

Final

Client Feedback: Preferred the "Featured" content on the Self Development landing screen have a horizontal scroll menu to indicate multiple courses, with the remaining carousel content clipped from the frame. 




Client Feedback: Preferred the "Featured" content on the Self Development landing screen have a horizontal scroll menu to indicate multiple courses, with the remaining carousel content clipped from the frame. 




Course-based learning that reinforce the platform’s mission.


Course-based learning that reinforce the platform’s mission.


Original content showed disjointed navigation to the course enrollment CTA using multiple screens.

Original content showed disjointed navigation to the course enrollment CTA using multiple screens.

Original Screens

Original Screens

Update

Update

By consolidating course info & CTA onto 1 screen, the updated version presents a clearer path through the course details that lead users to the course CTA.

By consolidating course info & CTA onto 1 screen, the updated version presents a clearer path through the course details that lead users to the course CTA.

Lacked opportunity for users to indicate to back end development that a video lesson has been completed.

Lacked opportunity for users to indicate to back end development that a video lesson has been completed.

Original Screen

Original Screen

  • Added toggle switch buttons for users to indicate the video lesson has been completed.

  • Added toggle switch buttons for users to indicate the video lesson has been completed.

  • Once all videos have been marked as complete, this will indicate to admins that the user has completed the course.

  • Once all videos have been marked as complete, this will indicate to admins that the user has completed the course.

Updated Version:

Updated Version

Continuity between badge representation & platform tone



Continuity between badge representation & platform tone



  • Content contained inconsistent visual cues.

  • Content contained inconsistent visual cues.

  • Client Feedback: Felt the 1st option was "too serious" & 2nd option was "too cartoony".

  • Client Feedback: Felt the 1st option was "too serious" & 2nd option was "too cartoony".

Original Screens

Original Screens

  • Badges changed from squares with rounded corners to a circular.

  • Badges changed from squares with rounded corners to a circular.

  • Finding new images in the middle ground allowed new badge designs to better match the platform tone.

  • Finding new images in the middle ground allowed new badge designs to better match the platform tone.

Before

After

Before

After

  • Added UI navigation for users to return to previous screen.

  • Added UI navigation for users to return to previous screen.

  • Badges earned are given a green stroke and image blur layer is removed.

  • Badges earned are given a green stroke and image blur layer is removed.

  • Pending badge images are blurred out with grey text labels.

  • Pending badge images are blurred out with grey text labels.

User Badges

User Badges

Goal-tracking flows tied to badge rewards that strengthen user engagement


Goal-tracking flows tied to badge rewards that strengthen user engagement


Users can add the number of goals as desired by clicking the underscored “+ Add Goals” text.

Users can add the number of goals as desired by clicking the underscored “+ Add Goals” text.

Each field is given a toggle switch button so users can indicate to the site admins that the goal has been completed.

Each field is given a toggle switch button so users can indicate to the site admins that the goal has been completed.

Prototyped action is revealed once the user marks the 6th goal as complete.

Prototyped action is revealed once the user marks the 6th goal as complete.

User achieves the “Goal Getter” badge for completing all the goals they have set for themselves for the day and promotes further user engagement with setting goals and attaining different badges.

User achieves the “Goal Getter” badge for completing all the goals they have set for themselves for the day and promotes further user engagement with setting goals and attaining different badges.

tim-c.design

  • Create new content to help complete the platform's Resource Library to increase areas for user engagement in the beta prototype.



  • Design a system of intuitive IRB checkpoints embedded within the user experience.



  • Redraft original content that can structurally stabilize the and direct the type of content needed to round out the Resource Library prototype



I partnered with two other product designers to support a client preparing for beta launch. Our team was tasked with identifying design gaps that affected site navigation and alignment with the platform’s mission for its users. In addition to improving the front-end user experience, we were also assigned to:



Figma, Figjam, Riipen, Zoom

Tools:

UX research, user interviews, prototyping, usability testing

UX/UI designer, Prototype test moderator

Job duties:

Role:

Case Context

Figma, Figjam

Tools:

UX/UI Designer

Job duties:

Role:

    • Prototyping

    • Product Design

    • UI Design

    • Test Moderating

    • UX Research

The Problem

During our heuristic evaluation we identified: Lack of Content, Structure & User Engagement.


  • Lack of content across key platform areas platform that highly limited user interaction.


  • Inconsistent information hierarchy & fragmented UI patterns


  • Structural gaps within the Resource Library, repeat imagery & structurally lacked foundational organization & scalability

Addressing both content and structural deficiencies at this critical pre-launch stage was essential to ensuring a cohesive beta experience that demonstrates how users can engage with the platform.

Original Screens

Content for the Self-Development landing screen & section .


  • The Self-Development subsection of the Resource Library lacked content providing foundational structure for user interaction in the prototype.

  • Laying the foundation for the horizontal menu scroll would subsequently provide structure for the entire section.

The client disclosed that masterclasses would later be added, so tiles were created to represent content coming soon to that section.

Coming Soon Content

  • Images were removed from the menu scroll to resemble the menu from resource library landing screen

Section Carousel Version 1

  • Interview insights revealed users expected "Self Development" included:

- goal tracking

- learning courses

Final Version

Version 1

Final

Client Feedback: Preferred the "Featured" content on the Self Development landing screen have a horizontal scroll menu to indicate multiple courses, with the remaining carousel content clipped from the frame. 




Continuity between badge representation & platform tone



  • Content contained inconsistent visual cues.

  • Client Feedback: Felt the 1st option was "too serious" & 2nd option was "too cartoony".

Original Screens

  • Badges changed from squares with rounded corners to a circular.

  • Finding new images in the middle ground allowed new badge designs to better match the platform tone.

Before

After

  • Added UI navigation for users to return to previous screen.

  • Badges earned are given a green stroke and image blur layer is removed.

  • Pending badge images are blurred out with grey text labels.

User Badges

tim-c.design

tim-c.design