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Final Design
06.
We designed this room with the idea that sticky notes, symbolic of user experience designers, could serve as a mascot.
Our team crafted a lounge/party vibe room where UX designers can engage and communicate in a festive atmosphere.
The Space
Sticky note
workshop room
The Darkroom
Lounge
App design
What is next?
These are the initial screens. Upon logging in, users can swiftly sign up through LinkedIn, streamlining the onboarding process and seamlessly linking their LinkedIn accounts to the festival.
Alternatively, users without LinkedIn can create a standard account through the app.
Following login, users encounter an onboarding wizard showcasing app features. They can explore workshops and talks, connect with fellow UX designers, navigate through a virtual map, and earn badges and awards through engaging games displayed on their profiles.
We refined the menu for clarity, with the home page displaying a calendar for event tracking, workshop sign-ups, and connection count. The workshop tab allows attendees to view and add workshops to their calendar seamlessly.
Next is the connection page, split into two sections: discovering individuals based on interests and finding known contacts. Users can connect through LinkedIn by clicking the follow icon, and post-connection, they receive conversation starters based on shared interests for smoother interactions.
Expected Outcome
Junior UX Designers have the opportunity to network, fostering authentic connections, rewarding employment, and the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and resources.
Secure space, time, dates
Solidify corporate sponsors (LinkedIn, ADP List)
Compile speakers and workshops
Marketing and advertising
We feature a page where designers can select interests to create a personalized profile when connecting with others.
When meeting others in person, they can easily connect their LinkedIn by tapping their phones.
This takes them back to the calendar, where they can click on the calendar icon to view their events.
This is the festival map for attendees to browse and locate their events. The explore page allows them to search for workshops, talks, games, featured designers, or browse top events and designers.
Result
Our team takes pride in the initial strides made with YouX and has ambitious plans to further enrich the space and networking experience.
While networking might seem daunting, deconstructing it reveals a simple act—people talking to people. In a society accustomed to screen communication, engaging with real people can be perceived as challenging.
At YouX, we've enthusiastically embraced this challenge, crafting an engaging, immersive tool that revolutionizes the networking experience. As our development journey continues, we aspire to broaden our scope to encompass other careers and delve into networking dynamics across diverse fields.
Moreover, the gratifying process of collecting data from user interviews and receiving feedback has offered valuable insights, helping us understand the genuine problems and concerns of individuals who could be our target audience.
YouX hosts a 2-day professional festival for UX Designers in comfortable spaces like lounges and workshops to enhance connections. We prioritize in-person experiences for better networking and aim to create a fun, inviting atmosphere. Our app supplements the festival for a seamless overall experience.
Feature Ideation
Usability Test
04.
05.
Before delving into low-fidelity development and rendering the physical space, we conducted an ideation session to brainstorm every possible feature for our product.
Idea dumps
Our team brainstormed various ideas for both an app and a physical space.
This was another method of user testing; we printed and placed the mockups on the wall to assess our app's usability.
This method was accessible, allowing many people to test our app and provide direct feedback. Our team gathered significant insights on design and features from this process.
Key Features
Alleviate
Chat
in casual spaces.
social awkwardness.
Connect
based on your interests.
We presented an early prototype to peers and received valuable feedback from our testers, including the following pain points:
App testing & Feedback
Users desired the ability to see familiar faces at the conference.
The navigation bar icons were unclear.
Users expressed the need to view workshops they had already signed up for while exploring additional options.
Our team is establishing networking opportunities for junior UX designers, aiming to foster authentic connections, facilitate rewarding employment, and encourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and resources
Identify and mitigate pain points for college UX students transitioning from school to the work force.
Course Project Topic
Initial Ideation
01.
They are exceptionally dull and generic. However, we've found that individuals prefer in-person networking. Thus, we aim to establish an inviting environment where people can enjoy themselves and draw inspiration from other designers.
Competitive Analysis
03.
Define problem space
During this phase, my team and I conducted primary research, developed personas, and created "how might we" statements.
Primary Research
Persona
User Survey
User Interview
Survey results showed overall that over 61% of people used LinkedIn to find jobs.
We have had discussions with several Junior UX Designers, as well as both Junior and Senior UX Students, in order to understand the difficulties they face in networking and the resources they use to find jobs and connect with people. While some individuals enjoy networking, others approach it with reluctance. It has become clear that everyone has difficulties in finding opportunities, especially through digital platforms. Many designers have expressed a desire for a UX-specific resource for networking, acknowledging the vastness of the job market.
60% of people feel less to moderately comfortable networking.
66% of people prefer in-person networking.
15 participants
10 participants
Upon reviewing our competitors, we found that while there are a few UX conferences available, the majority either take place online or occur before the month of June.
How Might We...
How might we help facilitate networking for UX Designers?
How might we create a comfortable environment for networking?
How might we alleviate the awkwardness and stress of networking for junior UX Designers?
Embarking on the journey into the professional world can be overwhelming. Networking has become a vital part of the professional ecosystem as it can create future opportunities and lead to success. However, many people overlook the challenges that come with networking, which can create frustration and fear of missing out. YouX addresses this opportunity area by empowering individuals, especially young designers, to present their best selves confidently and establish genuine connections with others.
Overview
00.
Our Solution
YouX is a two-day conference designed for UX designers to network in a fun and comfortable environment. A mobile app is available to enhance the networking experience.
How Might We...
How might we foster a comfortable and stress-free networking environment for junior UX Designers, facilitating their connection-building experiences?
Navigating networking in our digital age is challenging, with limited resources for authentic face-to-face connections. Specifically, there is no dedicated platform for professional networking among UX designers, leaving junior UX designers yearning for connections in their field.
Problem Statement
The User Experience Design Festival—an opportunity for UX designers to network in a stress-free and enjoyable space.
YouX
Winter 2023
10 Weeks
Product Design
UX Researcher
UX Designer
Information -
Architecture
Figma
Rhino
Keyshot
Addison Cruver
Cecilia Li
Haley Andre
Sana Baid
My role:
Scope:
Tools:
Team:
16%
New industry with big opportunities.
A UX Designer creates user-friendly technology experiences by designing functional and pleasing interfaces, bridging the gap between technology and users.
We aim to assist UX Designers in finding the jobs they desire and truly deserve.
During the research my team and I found that the UX industry is expected to grow by 14% in the next 10 years, resulting in a high demand for UX designers with numerous job opportunities available. Networking plays a crucial role in helping UX designers discover and secure the jobs they desire, with an estimated 80% of jobs acquired through networking.
02.
In our quest to identify suitable platforms for UX designers to network, we explored approximately 25 websites, including LinkedIn, ADP, and Behance, providing spaces for designers to connect and exchange ideas. However, none of these platforms were exclusively tailored for UX designers, and none offered genuine connection opportunities beyond direct messaging.
Secondary Research
The UX Industry and Networking
Why UX Designers?
Target Audience
Considering the diverse characteristics presented, the initial target audience for a resource related to UX Designers could be described as "DiverseUX." This term encapsulates the various dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, and age, among UX professionals.
