Uniprep

We started with a core assumption: users were abandoning applications because the data-entry process was simply too dense. To validate this, we conducted targeted usability testing sessions and deeply analyzed user behavior metrics.

By mapping out the core user flows, we identified that students were often forced to leave the platform to find course details, and then return to manually enter them. We needed to bring that flow natively into the app.

Initial design decisions were grounded heavily in our research and industry best practices. However, I didn't design in a silo. I strongly believe in tight feedback loops.

Design concepts were presented continuously during the wireframing and prototyping phases. This allowed stakeholders, including the CEO and engineering leads, to visualize user interactions early and provide input before a single line of code was written.

For example, the document upload flow (visas, transcripts) was originally a single massive page. Through iterative prototyping, we discovered users preferred a step-by-step wizard that saved progress automatically. We tested high-fidelity prototypes with a small cohort of users and refined the microcopy to ensure the final design was deeply user-centric.

A beautiful student-facing app isn't enough if the development team struggles to build it. We had four major platforms that needed to share a unified visual language.

I conceptualized and created over 60 highly reusable UI components in Figma. This included robust form elements, complex data tables, navigation shells, and feedback states. We documented specific rules for typography scaling, spacing, and interaction patterns.

This design system bridged the gap between design and our engineering stack (Angular, Bootstrap, Laravel). It became the single source of truth, drastically accelerating the development process and ensuring perfect visual consistency.

Uniprep evolved into a massive ecosystem. Beyond the core application flow, we built out comprehensive modules for students and founders. The latest and most significant addition prior to my departure was Talent Connect — a dedicated space bridging students directly with companies for jobs and internships.

With Talent Connect, students could search for companies, track applications with "Easy Apply," and engage with an AI-driven company info chat. We also built advanced tools for founders, including an AI Business Advisor, Business Plan Generator, and Market Analysis suite.

Below is a glimpse into a few of the 30+ modules designed for the platform, showcasing the scale and visual consistency achieved across the entire ecosystem.

While the student experience was critical, the backend operations were equally vital. The internal CRM was sluggish and difficult for staff to navigate, slowing down the processing of student applications.

I entirely redesigned the internal admin panels. We tackled data density by rethinking table layouts, introducing powerful filtering mechanisms, and utilizing slide-out panels for quick edits instead of navigating away to new pages.

By reducing visual clutter and clarifying the navigation hierarchy, the system became significantly faster to navigate for the internal teams.