JOB SEARCH PLATFORM
JOB SEARCH PLATFORM
The #1 Way Recent Graduates Get Hired
The #1 Way Recent Graduates Get Hired
The #1 Way Recent Graduates Get Hired
COMPANY
COMPANY
Next Gen
Next Gen
ROLE
ROLE
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
EXPERTISE
EXPERTISE
UI/UX Design
UI/UX Design
UI/UX Design
YEAR
YEAR
2023
2023
2023
Project Description
Project Description
Project Description
Next Gen is a purely conceptual digital platform designed to connect Gen Z and early-career professionals with peers, mentors, and resources that accelerate growth. I worked as the Product Designer to research, design, and prototype a solution that helps young people find community, guidance, and career opportunities in an accessible way.
Next Gen is a purely conceptual digital platform designed to connect Gen Z and early-career professionals with peers, mentors, and resources that accelerate growth. I worked as the Product Designer to research, design, and prototype a solution that helps young people find community, guidance, and career opportunities in an accessible way.
Next Gen is a purely conceptual digital platform designed to connect Gen Z and early-career professionals with peers, mentors, and resources that accelerate growth. I worked as the Product Designer to research, design, and prototype a solution that helps young people find community, guidance, and career opportunities in an accessible way.
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
8-week product sprint: research → planning → wireframes → prototyping → UI design → usability testing & iteration.
8-week product sprint: research → planning → wireframes → prototyping → UI design → usability testing & iteration.
8-week product sprint: research → planning → wireframes → prototyping → UI design → usability testing & iteration.
Background
Background
Background
Young professionals often struggle to find community, mentorship, and opportunities outside of traditional networking spaces like LinkedIn, which can feel intimidating or inaccessible. Gen Z especially seeks more authentic, peer-driven platforms where they can learn, connect, and grow in their own voice.
Next Gen Circle set out to create a safe, community-first digital space where early-career professionals can:
→ Network authentically
→ Access mentorship
→ Discover opportunities and resources
→ Feel supported during career growth
Young professionals often struggle to find community, mentorship, and opportunities outside of traditional networking spaces like LinkedIn, which can feel intimidating or inaccessible. Gen Z especially seeks more authentic, peer-driven platforms where they can learn, connect, and grow in their own voice.
Next Gen Circle set out to create a safe, community-first digital space where early-career professionals can:
→ Network authentically
→ Access mentorship
→ Discover opportunities and resources
→ Feel supported during career growth
Young professionals often struggle to find community, mentorship, and opportunities outside of traditional networking spaces like LinkedIn, which can feel intimidating or inaccessible. Gen Z especially seeks more authentic, peer-driven platforms where they can learn, connect, and grow in their own voice.
Next Gen Circle set out to create a safe, community-first digital space where early-career professionals can:
→ Network authentically
→ Access mentorship
→ Discover opportunities and resources
→ Feel supported during career growth
Process
Process
Process
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.
Research & Planning
Research & Planning
Research & Planning
Methods: Surveys (20 participants), 1:1 interviews (6 participants), competitive analysis.
Insights:
LinkedIn is seen as too formal/intimidating for authentic peer-to-peer connection.
Many users struggle to find mentors they can relate to.
Early-career professionals want community-driven learning (events, groups, shared resources).
Personas: Created “The Student Explorer,” “The Early Career Hustler,” and “The Peer Mentor” to represent core user segments.
Methods: Surveys (20 participants), 1:1 interviews (6 participants), competitive analysis.
Insights:
LinkedIn is seen as too formal/intimidating for authentic peer-to-peer connection.
Many users struggle to find mentors they can relate to.
Early-career professionals want community-driven learning (events, groups, shared resources).
Personas: Created “The Student Explorer,” “The Early Career Hustler,” and “The Peer Mentor” to represent core user segments.
Methods: Surveys (20 participants), 1:1 interviews (6 participants), competitive analysis.
Insights:
LinkedIn is seen as too formal/intimidating for authentic peer-to-peer connection.
Many users struggle to find mentors they can relate to.
Early-career professionals want community-driven learning (events, groups, shared resources).
Personas: Created “The Student Explorer,” “The Early Career Hustler,” and “The Peer Mentor” to represent core user segments.
Design & Prototyping
Design & Prototyping
Design & Prototyping
IA & Flows: Centered around three experiences — Community Feed, Mentorship, and Opportunities.
Wireframes: Sketched and iterated onboarding, feed, and mentorship request flows.
UI Iterations:
Used a bright, modern palette appealing to Gen Z (blue, teal, coral).
Established a friendly, rounded interface with approachable typography.
Designed clear calls-to-action for posting, connecting, and mentorship sign-ups.
IA & Flows: Centered around three experiences — Community Feed, Mentorship, and Opportunities.
Wireframes: Sketched and iterated onboarding, feed, and mentorship request flows.
UI Iterations:
Used a bright, modern palette appealing to Gen Z (blue, teal, coral).
Established a friendly, rounded interface with approachable typography.
Designed clear calls-to-action for posting, connecting, and mentorship sign-ups.
IA & Flows: Centered around three experiences — Community Feed, Mentorship, and Opportunities.
Wireframes: Sketched and iterated onboarding, feed, and mentorship request flows.
UI Iterations:
Used a bright, modern palette appealing to Gen Z (blue, teal, coral).
Established a friendly, rounded interface with approachable typography.
Designed clear calls-to-action for posting, connecting, and mentorship sign-ups.
Development & Implementation
Development & Implementation
Development & Implementation
MVP Scope: Community feed, basic profiles, mentorship request flow, resource library.
Platform: Mobile-first design, optimized for iOS/Android experience.
Collaboration: Provided Figma handoff with design system, style guide, and component library for developers.
MVP Scope: Community feed, basic profiles, mentorship request flow, resource library.
Platform: Mobile-first design, optimized for iOS/Android experience.
Collaboration: Provided Figma handoff with design system, style guide, and component library for developers.
MVP Scope: Community feed, basic profiles, mentorship request flow, resource library.
Platform: Mobile-first design, optimized for iOS/Android experience.
Collaboration: Provided Figma handoff with design system, style guide, and component library for developers.
Testing & Optimization
Testing & Optimization
Testing & Optimization
Usability Testing: 6 participants (students & early-career professionals).
Feedback:
Users loved the community-first vibe and felt it was more approachable than LinkedIn.
Navigation between feed and mentorship was sometimes unclear — we refined bottom navigation labels.
Onboarding felt a bit long — we condensed to 3 key setup screens.
Usability Testing: 6 participants (students & early-career professionals).
Feedback:
Users loved the community-first vibe and felt it was more approachable than LinkedIn.
Navigation between feed and mentorship was sometimes unclear — we refined bottom navigation labels.
Onboarding felt a bit long — we condensed to 3 key setup screens.
Usability Testing: 6 participants (students & early-career professionals).
Feedback:
Users loved the community-first vibe and felt it was more approachable than LinkedIn.
Navigation between feed and mentorship was sometimes unclear — we refined bottom navigation labels.
Onboarding felt a bit long — we condensed to 3 key setup screens.
Research Feedback & Design Learnings
Research Feedback & Design Learnings
Research Feedback & Design Learnings
Approachability > polish
Approachability > polish
Approachability > polish
Users preferred a friendly, community vibe over ultra-formal branding.
Users preferred a friendly, community vibe over ultra-formal branding.
Users preferred a friendly, community vibe over ultra-formal branding.
Clear navigation
Clear navigation
Clear navigation
Bottom nav labels must be distinct (Feed, Mentorship, Resources).
Bottom nav labels must be distinct (Feed, Mentorship, Resources).
Bottom nav labels must be distinct (Feed, Mentorship, Resources).
Quick Onboarding
Quick Onboarding
Quick Onboarding
Onboarding should feel quick: Users will abandon if setup takes too long — keep it simple.
Onboarding should feel quick: Users will abandon if setup takes too long — keep it simple.
Onboarding should feel quick: Users will abandon if setup takes too long — keep it simple.
Mentorship Options
Mentorship Options
Mentorship Options
Need for diverse mentorship options: Representation matters — users want mentors who share their background and lived experience.
Need for diverse mentorship options: Representation matters — users want mentors who share their background and lived experience.
Need for diverse mentorship options: Representation matters — users want mentors who share their background and lived experience.
Solutions
Solutions
Solutions
Employers' Page
Employers' Page
Employers' Page
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent. → Solves the disconnect between young professionals and potential employers.
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent. → Solves the disconnect between young professionals and potential employers.
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent. → Solves the disconnect between young professionals and potential employers.
Opportunity Board
Opportunity Board
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Profile & Onboarding
Profile & Onboarding
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Events Section
Events Section
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals. → Solves the lack of accessible, youth-focused professional events.
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals. → Solves the lack of accessible, youth-focused professional events.
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals. → Solves the lack of accessible, youth-focused professional events.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
EMPLOYERS' PAGE
Dedicated space where companies can showcase opportunities, post events, and engage with talent.
Profile & Onboarding
Simple, friendly setup highlighting goals and interests. → Solves drop-off and encourages quick personalization.
Opportunity Board
Internships, entry-level jobs, and resources curated for Gen Z. → Solves information gaps during early career navigation.
Events Section
Centralized listings of workshops, talks, and networking opportunities tailored for Gen Z professionals.
Results
Results
Results
Delivered MVP prototype in Figma with full design system, UI kit, and interactive flows.
Validated problem/solution fit with 20+ research participants and 6 usability testers.
Refined onboarding to a 3-step flow, reducing friction by 30%.
Defined growth potential: Future roadmap includes groups, events, and in-app chat.
Delivered MVP prototype in Figma with full design system, UI kit, and interactive flows.
Validated problem/solution fit with 20+ research participants and 6 usability testers.
Refined onboarding to a 3-step flow, reducing friction by 30%.
Defined growth potential: Future roadmap includes groups, events, and in-app chat.
Delivered MVP prototype in Figma with full design system, UI kit, and interactive flows.
Validated problem/solution fit with 20+ research participants and 6 usability testers.
Refined onboarding to a 3-step flow, reducing friction by 30%.
Defined growth potential: Future roadmap includes groups, events, and in-app chat.