INDIVIDUAL PROJECT - 2025
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT - 2025
Creating a centralized platform for design students to find internships, connect with peers, and stay updated with industry trends
Creating a centralized platform for design students to find internships, connect with peers, and stay updated with industry trends
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
8 Weeks
8 Weeks
KEY SKILLS
KEY SKILLS
UX Research, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Visual Design, Systems Thinking
UX Research, Interaction Design, Prototyping, Visual Design, Systems Thinking
MENTOR
MENTOR
Uzma Ansari
Uzma Ansari
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Photoshop
Rotato
Figma
Photoshop
Rotato
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Design students often find themselves juggling too many tools, LinkedIn for jobs, YouTube for tutorials, Instagram for trends, and random WhatsApp groups for networking. None of them are truly built for us.
Design students often find themselves juggling too many tools, LinkedIn for jobs, YouTube for tutorials, Instagram for trends, and random WhatsApp groups for networking. None of them are truly built for us.
Find internships tailored to their skills
Find internships tailored to their skills
Join communities and events
Join communities and events
Access curated learning paths
Access curated learning paths
Stay updated with industry news
Stay updated with industry news
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
There's no focused space that speaks directly to design students' needs - especially one that combines opportunities, learning, and community
There's no focused space that speaks directly to design students' needs - especially one that combines opportunities, learning, and community
In my conversations with students across different colleges, a few common frustrations kept surfacing
In my conversations with students across different colleges, a few common frustrations kept surfacing
In my conversations with students across different colleges, a few common frustrations kept surfacing
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
To validate this gap, I interviewed 6 design students from UID, ISDI, and SMI. I asked about their workflows, frustrations, and how they currently navigate internships, courses, and industry trends
To validate this gap, I interviewed 6 design students from UID, ISDI, and SMI. I asked about their workflows, frustrations, and how they currently navigate internships, courses, and industry trends
How did this research change your initial idea of student networking?
What assumptions were challenged during this process?
How did emotional and behavioral patterns shape the feature design?
Why is flexibility a central design principle in Design Club?
What sets this platform apart from typical student networking apps?
How did this research change your initial idea of student networking?
What assumptions were challenged during this process?
How did emotional and behavioral patterns shape the feature design?
Why is flexibility a central design principle in Design Club?
What sets this platform apart from typical student networking apps?
How did this research change your initial idea of student networking?
What assumptions were challenged during this process?
How did emotional and behavioral patterns shape the feature design?
Why is flexibility a central design principle in Design Club?
What sets this platform apart from typical student networking apps?
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROBLEM
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROBLEM
I mapped out two student profiles and their typical journeys to highlight where existing tools fall short and how Design Club could support them better.
I mapped out two student profiles and their typical journeys to highlight where existing tools fall short and how Design Club could support them better.
I simplified the personas to clearly reflect the core needs and challenges of design students.
I simplified the personas to clearly reflect the core needs and challenges of design students.
I simplified the personas to clearly reflect the core needs and challenges of design students.
I mapped out a typical student journey before and after using Design Club to highlight where the biggest gaps existed. Without a dedicated platform, their process felt scattered, time consuming and frustrating. With Design Club, each stage becomes more focused, making internships easier to find, learning more structured and networking more accessible. The shift is not just functional but emotional, moving from confusion and uncertainty to confidence and motivation.
I mapped out a typical student journey before and after using Design Club to highlight where the biggest gaps existed. Without a dedicated platform, their process felt scattered, time consuming and frustrating. With Design Club, each stage becomes more focused, making internships easier to find, learning more structured and networking more accessible. The shift is not just functional but emotional, moving from confusion and uncertainty to confidence and motivation.
FEATURE STRATEGY
FEATURE STRATEGY
Design Club is built around 4 key verticals
Design Club is built around 4 key verticals
Internships
Personalized based on your profile, skills, and interests. You can save, track, and apply — all in one place.
Internships
Personalized based on your profile, skills, and interests. You can save, track, and apply — all in one place.
Upskill
A structured library of design courses, grouped into roadmaps by theme (UI, motion, research, etc.)
Upskill
A structured library of design courses, grouped into roadmaps by theme (UI, motion, research, etc.)
Network
Find peers near you, message them, join clubs, and even host virtual meet-ups.
Network
Find peers near you, message them, join clubs, and even host virtual meet-ups.
News
A feed of curated articles, trends, and product design case studies — sorted by your interest tags.
News
A feed of curated articles, trends, and product design case studies — sorted by your interest tags.
DESIGN SYSTEM
To maintain visual consistency across 20+ screens, I created a modular design system. The system was built with scalability in mind - from light/dark compatibility to supporting new verticals in the future.
To maintain visual consistency across 20+ screens, I created a modular design system. The system was built with scalability in mind - from light/dark compatibility to supporting new verticals in the future.
INTERACTION FLOWS + DESIGN DECISIONS
I designed focused user flows for each core feature, making sure every step aligned with a real student need.
I designed focused user flows for each core feature, making sure every step aligned with a real student need.
People Search & Club Management
People Search & Club Management
This flow was designed to make networking among design students simple and intentional. Instead of relying on chance interactions at events, I created a system where users can search, discover and connect with peers based on proximity, shared interests or club participation.
The card layout shows only essential information like status, skills and mutual connections to support fast decision-making without overwhelming the interface. Clubs are designed to feel lightweight and approachable so students can join or host sessions without needing approvals or heavy setup.
By keeping messaging accessible after following someone, I wanted to reduce the typical drop-off between discovery and collaboration. Every element in this flow reflects my approach to design which focuses on clarity, usability and creating socially aware systems that feel natural to use.
This flow was designed to make networking among design students simple and intentional. Instead of relying on chance interactions at events, I created a system where users can search, discover and connect with peers based on proximity, shared interests or club participation.
The card layout shows only essential information like status, skills and mutual connections to support fast decision-making without overwhelming the interface. Clubs are designed to feel lightweight and approachable so students can join or host sessions without needing approvals or heavy setup.
By keeping messaging accessible after following someone, I wanted to reduce the typical drop-off between discovery and collaboration. Every element in this flow reflects my approach to design which focuses on clarity, usability and creating socially aware systems that feel natural to use.
Course browsing and completion
Course browsing and completion
This flow was built to solve a key challenge students face when trying to improve their design skills — knowing what to learn and where to begin. I replaced the usual list-of-links approach with a structured roadmap system that helps students navigate learning through thematic clusters like UI, motion or research.
The homepage offers both featured courses and progress tracking. Students can follow a curated learning path or browse independently using tags and filters. Each course card includes the platform source, skill focus and completion status, helping students make quick decisions without second-guessing.
I kept the UI minimal and focused, reducing decision fatigue by showing one roadmap at a time while also allowing room for exploration. The “Started” and “Completed” states use subtle visual cues to keep learners motivated without overwhelming them with metrics.
This flow reflects my design approach of combining clarity with progression — helping students feel supported, not lost, as they build skills step by step.
This flow was built to solve a key challenge students face when trying to improve their design skills — knowing what to learn and where to begin. I replaced the usual list-of-links approach with a structured roadmap system that helps students navigate learning through thematic clusters like UI, motion or research.
The homepage offers both featured courses and progress tracking. Students can follow a curated learning path or browse independently using tags and filters. Each course card includes the platform source, skill focus and completion status, helping students make quick decisions without second-guessing.
I kept the UI minimal and focused, reducing decision fatigue by showing one roadmap at a time while also allowing room for exploration. The “Started” and “Completed” states use subtle visual cues to keep learners motivated without overwhelming them with metrics.
This flow reflects my design approach of combining clarity with progression — helping students feel supported, not lost, as they build skills step by step.
Job Discovery & Tracking
Job Discovery & Tracking
This flow was created to help students find internships that are actually relevant to their skills and interests. Instead of displaying a long list of mixed listings, I used profile-based filters to recommend internships aligned with each user's field of study and preferences.
The internship cards highlight key details like role, company, location and required skills, making it easier to scan and act quickly. Once tapped, each listing opens into a clear job detail view where students can apply, save or track their status without distractions.
I designed the tracking section to reflect a simple stage-based system where users can manage their applications from saved to applied to in review. This helps students stay organized and reduces the mental load of remembering what they’ve already done.
This flow reflects my design approach of simplifying decision making and giving users a sense of control through thoughtful interaction design.
This flow was created to help students find internships that are actually relevant to their skills and interests. Instead of displaying a long list of mixed listings, I used profile-based filters to recommend internships aligned with each user's field of study and preferences.
The internship cards highlight key details like role, company, location and required skills, making it easier to scan and act quickly. Once tapped, each listing opens into a clear job detail view where students can apply, save or track their status without distractions.
I designed the tracking section to reflect a simple stage-based system where users can manage their applications from saved to applied to in review. This helps students stay organized and reduces the mental load of remembering what they’ve already done.
This flow reflects my design approach of simplifying decision making and giving users a sense of control through thoughtful interaction design.
Up to Date Design Industry News
Up to Date Design Industry News
This flow was designed to keep design students informed without overwhelming them. During research, many students mentioned that they follow trends through scattered sources like Instagram and newsletters but still feel like they miss out. I wanted to bring that content into one place that feels curated and calm.
The news feed surfaces design articles, tools, updates and insights based on the user’s interests. It avoids the noise of a traditional social feed by using clear hierarchy, focused tags and minimal distractions. Cards are easy to scan and lead directly to detailed views with simple reactions like save or share.
I chose a clean visual layout with enough breathing space to make reading feel intentional. This section balances utility with inspiration and reflects my belief that even informational features should feel designed with care.
This flow was designed to keep design students informed without overwhelming them. During research, many students mentioned that they follow trends through scattered sources like Instagram and newsletters but still feel like they miss out. I wanted to bring that content into one place that feels curated and calm.
The news feed surfaces design articles, tools, updates and insights based on the user’s interests. It avoids the noise of a traditional social feed by using clear hierarchy, focused tags and minimal distractions. Cards are easy to scan and lead directly to detailed views with simple reactions like save or share.
I chose a clean visual layout with enough breathing space to make reading feel intentional. This section balances utility with inspiration and reflects my belief that even informational features should feel designed with care.
Design Philosophy
Design Philosophy
Design Philosophy
DESIGN CLUB IN ACTION
A quick walkthrough of the final product, showing how everything comes together for design students
A quick walkthrough of the final product, showing how everything comes together for design students
REFLECTION
What I learned through building this, and how it shaped my perspective as a designer
What I learned through building this, and how it shaped my perspective as a designer
Could not understand my Handwritting ?
Could not understand my Handwritting ?
Could not understand my Handwritting ?
