Summary

Built a multi-user guidance tool supporting high schoolers, parents, and counselors in the college application journey

My Role

Led UX strategy for multi-user dashboard, AI interaction model, and onboarding flows
Designed systems that flexibly scaled across users and feature states
Collaborated closely with PM/engineers

Timeline

2024/12 ~ Current

Platform & Scope

iOS
Web App
Commercial Website

An AI-Driven SaaS Dashboard for College Planning Support

The Design Systems / Key Challenges

🧠 Personalized conversation model that adapts to user profile

🔒 Privacy-aware portal logic for parents

📊 Progress index that can’t be gamed—but keeps users engaged

🎯 Modular dashboard states that evolve as users move through journey

Re-strucuter Architecture

As I was designing along the way, I noticed that there is a potential issue with the current Information Architecture, which did become a problem when we shit to iOS app. I took the initiative to restructure and reduce context confusion, and even created space for upcoming features.

How I Validated under limited resource

Discussed with our CFO, who has decades of experience in the education industry

Consulted our engineering team to map out the long-term product roadmap and ensure the IA could support upcoming modules

Audited competitor apps like Naviance (widely used by high schools) to analyze how they cluster features like college lists, goals, and transcripts under unified structures.

Design for Motivation & Clarity

Rewrote passive empty states (e.g., “Your profile is empty”) into motivational, action-focused prompts like:“ Start your journey—completing your profile unlocks personalized guidance.”
Refined labels and microcopy across dashboard cards and tabs to better match user mental models, reducing confusion and clarifying feature purpose.
Designed a clear entry point and flow for the new EssayXpert feature, breaking down the intimidating essay-writing process into approachable steps and smart suggestions.