My Role
UX Designer
Team
CEO/CTO
2x Developers
2x UX Designers
2x UX Researchers
2x Developers
2x UX Designers
2x UX Researchers
My Key Contributions
User Research
Visual Design
Interface Design
Interaction Design
Wireframes
Rapid Prototyping
Usability Testing
Visual Design
Interface Design
Interaction Design
Wireframes
Rapid Prototyping
Usability Testing
Tools
Figma
Adobe XD
Miro
Trello
Validately
Adobe XD
Miro
Trello
Validately
Timeline
Twelve week sprint
Six weeks - UX
Six weeks - UI
Six weeks - UX
Six weeks - UI
Non disclosure agreement
To comply with my NDA (Non-disclosure agreement), I am only showcasing some part of the project I worked! This doesn’t necessarily reflect the company’s ideas and missions. If you are interested to talk more about this internship or any general queries, please feel free to reach me.
Introduction
Startup internships at your fingertips!
Seedstages is a startup providing people with quality internship opportunities to build careers while providing startups with easy access to new and diverse talent to help them boost productivity.
Goal
How might we optimize the mobile experience to connect emerging startups with the talent they need?
With 20+ startups and 100+ user profiles on the app, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews with both job seekers and recruiters. Our team conducted 20+ interviews overall to improve our understanding of the problems faced by both parties during the job hiring process.
In addition to this research, I also carried out competitive analysis to learn how our competitors were solving similar problems.
In addition to this research, I also carried out competitive analysis to learn how our competitors were solving similar problems.
After completing the research, I was tasked with implementing a consistent visual languages as well as new features, to help optimize our user’s mobile experience.
Key Research Insights
Word of mouth and marketing efforts were not enough. There were very few profiles on the platform and something was not right...
Insight #1
Inconsistent and poor visuals
The existing UI design of the app lacked consistent elements like colors, buttons and type hierarchies which resulted in a convoluted user experience.
Insight #2
A proper introduction is important
Onboarding screens explaining the purpose of the app were not available. The two audiences that used the app did not receive any orientation or context on what the app was for and this was contributing to a higher bounce rate after users had downloaded the app.
Insight #3
Skimming > Reading
Recruiters had difficulty scanning for information about candidates due to an inconsistent and poorly structured hierarchy of information.
Insight #4
Making a connection elsewhere
After users connected on the platform, users were jumping off to different platforms to schedule calls and talk.
Crafting a design system
Design System
In order to implement a consistent visual language, I crafted a style guide to help myself and other designers generate consistent and structured components for the app.
The design system included guidelines for typography, color, grids, app components (buttons, icons and form field elements) and their states.
The design system included guidelines for typography, color, grids, app components (buttons, icons and form field elements) and their states.
Design Solution
Design & Prototype
Working as a UX Designer, I participated in brainstorming sessions and designed sketches to make the UI of the app engaging and enjoyable for the users. I designed low to high fidelity mockups and rapid prototyped screens that aligned with the new features and business goals.
I also addressed the technical constraints while designing by talking with developers about what is feasible considering the time constraint of the development process of the app. Rapid prototyping the mockups, aligning with these factors made the transition process from designing to developing easier and more understandable.
An ideal example of how the designs evolved based on feedback can be seen in the design of the profile card. My original design include multiple actionable items, but after further evaluation and feedback I found that multiple actions created unnecessary confusion. Multiple actions also made the 'ideal path' to connecting less apparent. As a result, the final design only include single button ‘Send a Message’ to make it very clear what the next steps were intended to be.
I also addressed the technical constraints while designing by talking with developers about what is feasible considering the time constraint of the development process of the app. Rapid prototyping the mockups, aligning with these factors made the transition process from designing to developing easier and more understandable.
An ideal example of how the designs evolved based on feedback can be seen in the design of the profile card. My original design include multiple actionable items, but after further evaluation and feedback I found that multiple actions created unnecessary confusion. Multiple actions also made the 'ideal path' to connecting less apparent. As a result, the final design only include single button ‘Send a Message’ to make it very clear what the next steps were intended to be.
Finding a candidate
Finding opportunities has never been easier. Right swipe through the list of profiles you like and it will be saved in the favorite list. The idea was to help users find a career match through quick, seamless recruitment. With added interactions, card labels and consistent visuals (colors, buttons, type hierarchies), finding a candidate was much faster and easier.
Onboarding
Onboarding screens educated users about the functions and benefits of the app. Job seekers and recruiters can learn how they will be using the app and it also allowed them to register or sign in. After adding the onboarding screens, we saw increase in the activity with the app and new user profiles being created.
Learning more about Candidate
Displaying large information proved to be overwhelming for users at first glance. With consistent hierarchy of information and expanded view of profile card, finding detailed information about candidates was better organized and easier to skim.
Connect and Schedule Meetings
In addition to messaging, users can also schedule meetings within the app. This helps both types of users facilitate everything except the final meeting in the app and removes the need for them to go elsewhere to schedule meetings.
Impact
Results + Next Steps
The Seedstage app can be developed further adding great other features which can be helpful to job seekers and startups to build professional relationships and make the hiring process fast and seamless for both parties.
For the next steps, the designs should be reiterated by considering usability tests, A/B tests, and quality assurance of designs with the users to improve the initial version.
Within 3 months of my internship at Seedstages, I came out of my comfort zone by working up from ground zero with an amazing team of designers. Being in the shoes of job seekers, I was really passionate about working on this project where I could be of help to people in the job hiring process. During a time when connection is more important than ever, working on a platform that connects bright minds to impactful startup missions was a rewarding experience for me. I learned to take on bigger responsibilities, manage multiple components of a project and meet some truly amazing people who are working to create a more accessible channel for job seekers alike.
For the next steps, the designs should be reiterated by considering usability tests, A/B tests, and quality assurance of designs with the users to improve the initial version.
Within 3 months of my internship at Seedstages, I came out of my comfort zone by working up from ground zero with an amazing team of designers. Being in the shoes of job seekers, I was really passionate about working on this project where I could be of help to people in the job hiring process. During a time when connection is more important than ever, working on a platform that connects bright minds to impactful startup missions was a rewarding experience for me. I learned to take on bigger responsibilities, manage multiple components of a project and meet some truly amazing people who are working to create a more accessible channel for job seekers alike.
"Dhaivat joined Seedstages as a UX design intern and quickly rose to be our UI Mockup lead due to his excellent design skills, leading UI workshops and leadership abilities. It was a pleasure working with him!"
Ian Hafkenschiel, CTO @ Seedstages
Feedback on the design? Want to chat over coffee more about this experience? Feel free to shoot me a message or schedule a talk.
Let's connect!
Feel free to reach out to work together on a project, discuss design ideas, or just a friendly hello.
Schedule a talk