Transformed the intimidating process of critique into a space for connection and creative growth
Transformed the intimidating process of critique into a space for connection and creative growth
UXLink • E2E • 2025
UXLink • E2E • 2025
YEAR
2025
TIMELINE
4 months
PLATFORM
IOS
INDUSTRY
EdTech
TOOLS
PLATFORM
IOS
INDUSTRY
EdTech
ROLE
UX/UI Designer
View Prototype
SUMMARY
UXLink is a space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos.
UXLink is a space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos.
UXLink is a space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos.
UXLink allows designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship and build confidence in a centralized platform. I was responsible for the entire project, from inception to completion.
UXLink allows designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship and build confidence in a centralized platform. I was responsible for the entire project, from inception to completion.
UXLink allows designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship and build confidence in a centralized platform. I was responsible for the entire project, from inception to completion.
CONTEXT
From Frustration to Foundation
From Frustration to Foundation
From Frustration to Foundation
When I was in my UX bootcamp, getting feedback felt harder than designing itself.
Between Discord threads, ADPList calls, and endless Google Meets, everything felt scattered. I wanted one space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos. That’s how UXLink began: a centralized platform for designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship, and build confidence together.
When I was in my UX bootcamp, getting feedback felt harder than designing itself. Between Discord threads, ADPList calls, and endless Google Meets, everything felt scattered. I wanted one space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos. That’s how UXLink began: a centralized platform for designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship, and build confidence together.
When I was in my UX bootcamp, getting feedback felt harder than designing itself.
Between Discord threads, ADPList calls, and endless Google Meets, everything felt scattered. I wanted one space where designers could connect, learn, and grow — without the chaos. That’s how UXLink began: a centralized platform for designers to exchange feedback, discover mentorship, and build confidence together.
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
Early-stage designers often feel isolated and intimidated asking for feedback. Existing tools are either too general or too fragmented, making collaboration feel like a chore.
“How might we make feedback feel approachable, accessible, and genuinely helpful for new designers?”
“How might we make feedback feel approachable, accessible, and genuinely helpful for new designers?”
“How might we make feedback feel approachable, accessible, and genuinely helpful for new designers?”
Research & Discovery
Research & Discovery
Research & Discovery
I started with what I knew — my own frustration — then validated it through competitive analysis and user interviews.
I spoke with five design students and recent grads to uncover how they sought (and avoided) feedback.
I started with what I knew — my own frustration — then validated it through competitive analysis and user interviews.
I spoke with five design students and recent grads to uncover how they sought (and avoided) feedback.
I started with what I knew — my own frustration — then validated it through competitive analysis and user interviews.
I spoke with five design students and recent grads to uncover how they sought (and avoided) feedback.
Components
Components
Components
Competitive Analysis
User Interviews
Affinity Map
Competitive Analysis
User Interviews
Affinity Map
Competitive Analysis
User Interviews
Affinity Map
Research Methods
Research Methods
Research Methods
Competitive analysis
User interviews on Zoom and Google Meet
Affinity mapping in FigJam
Competitive analysis
User interviews on Zoom and Google Meet
Affinity mapping in FigJam
Competitive analysis
User interviews on Zoom and Google Meet
Affinity mapping in FigJam
Key questions I asked:
Key questions I asked:
Key questions I asked:
How do you currently get feedback?
What frustrates you about the process?
What would make sharing feedback easier?
How do you currently get feedback?
What frustrates you about the process?
What would make sharing feedback easier?
How do you currently get feedback?
What frustrates you about the process?
What would make sharing feedback easier?
What I heard:
What I heard:
What I heard:
“I feel awkward asking for feedback unless I know exactly what to request.” — Carolyn
“I wish there was a casual space to just share work and talk.” — Mirrie
“Sometimes I don’t know if my work is actually good, because I never get mentor comments.” — Sasha
“I feel awkward asking for feedback unless I know exactly what to request.” — Carolyn
“I wish there was a casual space to just share work and talk.” — Mirrie
“Sometimes I don’t know if my work is actually good, because I never get mentor comments.” — Sasha
“I feel awkward asking for feedback unless I know exactly what to request.” — Carolyn
“I wish there was a casual space to just share work and talk.” — Mirrie
“Sometimes I don’t know if my work is actually good, because I never get mentor comments.” — Sasha
Platform Overload
Platform Overload
Platform Overload
Designers were tired of juggling tools
Designers were tired of juggling tools
Feedback Anxiety
Feedback Anxiety
Feedback Anxiety
Asking for help felt intimidating
Asking for help felt intimidating
Varied Needs
Varied Needs
Varied Needs
Some wanted quick input; others wanted deep dives
Some wanted quick input; others wanted deep dives
Lack of Visibility
Lack of Visibility
Lack of Visibility
Group crits were hard to find out of school
Group crits were hard to find out of school
Who I designed for
Who I designed for
Who I designed for
UXLink was created for aspiring UX/UI designers and career switchers in design programs — people juggling learning curves, imposter syndrome, and a sea of scattered feedback tools.
Like me, they weren’t looking for perfection — they were looking for connection.
UXLink was created for aspiring UX/UI designers and career switchers in design programs — people juggling learning curves, imposter syndrome, and a sea of scattered feedback tools.
Like me, they weren’t looking for perfection — they were looking for connection.
UXLink was created for aspiring UX/UI designers and career switchers in design programs — people juggling learning curves, imposter syndrome, and a sea of scattered feedback tools.
Like me, they weren’t looking for perfection — they were looking for connection.
Design Approach
Design Approach
Design Approach
My process was iterative and human-centered — design, test, learn, repeat. I focused on creating a visually calm, emotionally safe space for feedback.
My process was iterative and human-centered — design, test, learn, repeat. I focused on creating a visually calm, emotionally safe space for feedback.
My process was iterative and human-centered — design, test, learn, repeat. I focused on creating a visually calm, emotionally safe space for feedback.
Branding Goals
Branding Goals
Branding Goals
Supportive • Playful • Clean • Community-first
Supportive • Playful • Clean • Community-first
Supportive • Playful • Clean • Community-first
Final Brand Elements
Final Brand Elements
Final Brand Elements
Logo: Two-toned “UXLink” wordmark symbolizing connection
Palette: Neutral base with soft blue accents for clarity and calm
Typography: Rounded sans-serif for warmth and professionalism
Tone: Encouraging, approachable, slightly casual
Logo: Two-toned “UXLink” wordmark symbolizing connection
Palette: Neutral base with soft blue accents for clarity and calm
Typography: Rounded sans-serif for warmth and professionalism
Tone: Encouraging, approachable, slightly casual
Logo: Two-toned “UXLink” wordmark symbolizing connection
Palette: Neutral base with soft blue accents for clarity and calm
Typography: Rounded sans-serif for warmth and professionalism
Tone: Encouraging, approachable, slightly casual
Wireframing and Flows
Wireframing and Flows
Wireframing and Flows
I began directly in Figma, creating minimal wireframes to test layout hierarchy.
My early focus: minimize friction so users could get feedback fast.
I began directly in Figma, creating minimal wireframes to test layout hierarchy.
My early focus: minimize friction so users could get feedback fast.
I began directly in Figma, creating minimal wireframes to test layout hierarchy.
My early focus: minimize friction so users could get feedback fast.
Core flows:
Core flows:
Core flows:
Testing the Prototype
Testing the Prototype
Testing the Prototype
To validate my designs, I tested a high-fidelity interactive prototype with five participants from UX bootcamps.
To validate my designs, I tested a high-fidelity interactive prototype with five participants from UX bootcamps.
To validate my designs, I tested a high-fidelity interactive prototype with five participants from UX bootcamps.
Findings:
Findings:
✅ Loved the “all-in-one” simplicity
✅ Appreciated the three feedback options
⚠️ Wanted clearer onboarding and labels
⚠️ Needed language consistency (“Sessions” vs “Dynamic Peer Sessions”)
✅ Loved the “all-in-one” simplicity
✅ Appreciated the three feedback options
⚠️ Wanted clearer onboarding and labels
⚠️ Needed language consistency (“Sessions” vs “Dynamic Peer Sessions”)
✅ Loved the “all-in-one” simplicity
✅ Appreciated the three feedback options
⚠️ Wanted clearer onboarding and labels
⚠️ Needed language consistency (“Sessions” vs “Dynamic Peer Sessions”)
Final Solution
Final Solution
Final Solution
Features include:
Centralized dashboard for feedback and sessions
Tiered feedback types (AI, peer, mentor)
Community feed for shared learning
Gentle onboarding to reduce intimidation
Features include:
Centralized dashboard for feedback and sessions
Tiered feedback types (AI, peer, mentor)
Community feed for shared learning
Gentle onboarding to reduce intimidation
Features include:
Centralized dashboard for feedback and sessions
Tiered feedback types (AI, peer, mentor)
Community feed for shared learning
Gentle onboarding to reduce intimidation
Take Aways
Take Aways
Take Aways
Designing UXLink taught me as much about myself as it did about the craft of UX. One of the biggest challenges was narrowing the scope—there were endless possibilities, from mentorship to AI feedback—and finding the balance between structure and warmth.
Through testing, I learned that real users reveal real problems, and that simplicity often carries the most strength. If I continued developing UXLink, I’d focus on accessibility, refine onboarding through A/B testing, and expand to desktop for mentors.
Ultimately, this project became more than a design—it was a reflection of my growth as a designer learning to find her voice. I set out to create a platform that helps others feel supported, but in the process, UXLink helped me, too.
Designing UXLink taught me as much about myself as it did about the craft of UX. One of the biggest challenges was narrowing the scope—there were endless possibilities, from mentorship to AI feedback—and finding the balance between structure and warmth.
Through testing, I learned that real users reveal real problems, and that simplicity often carries the most strength. If I continued developing UXLink, I’d focus on accessibility, refine onboarding through A/B testing, and expand to desktop for mentors.
Ultimately, this project became more than a design—it was a reflection of my growth as a designer learning to find her voice. I set out to create a platform that helps others feel supported, but in the process, UXLink helped me, too.
Designing UXLink taught me as much about myself as it did about the craft of UX. One of the biggest challenges was narrowing the scope—there were endless possibilities, from mentorship to AI feedback—and finding the balance between structure and warmth.
Through testing, I learned that real users reveal real problems, and that simplicity often carries the most strength. If I continued developing UXLink, I’d focus on accessibility, refine onboarding through A/B testing, and expand to desktop for mentors.
Ultimately, this project became more than a design—it was a reflection of my growth as a designer learning to find her voice. I set out to create a platform that helps others feel supported, but in the process, UXLink helped me, too.