I served as the UX lead and front-end developer for a 4-month long class project where I collaborated with a team of 5 students to develop a web app. The project aimed to create an app called Classmate, which connects people with study buddies for classes. The focus was on facilitating one-time study sessions before class quizzes or exams. The application was developed using Django/Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript.
UX Design & Prototyping: User flows, wireframes, high-fidelity prototypes in Figma
User Research & Testing: Conducted iterative testing to validate usability
Web Development: Frontend implementation with HTML, CSS, JS; backend integration with Django/Python
Design Goals
Create an intuitive and frictionless interface for students to quickly find and schedule study sessions
Support one-time, low-commitment connections while maintaining user privacy and safety
Process & Approach
As UX Lead, I was responsible for the app’s user experience from concept to implementation. I designed key workflows and prototypes in Figma, focusing on reducing friction and cognitive load for users scheduling sessions. I validated design decisions through iterative user testing, refining navigation, labels, and interaction patterns.
Beyond design leadership, I coded most of the frontend, translating the Figma prototypes into production-ready HTML, CSS, and JavaScript components. I worked closely with backend teammates to ensure smooth integration with the Django infrastructure, handling dynamic content rendering and form submissions.
Impact & Reflection
This project allowed me to apply and grow both my design and technical skillsets in parallel. By leading UX while coding the frontend, I developed a deeper appreciation for how design decisions play out in implementation—and how development constraints can inform better design solutions.
I strengthened my ability to:
Bridge design and development by owning both disciplines in practice
Advocate for user-centered choices in technical decision-making
Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver a cohesive product under tight timelines
Building Classmate reinforced the importance of designing holistically: balancing user needs, technical feasibility, and product goals to deliver an intuitive, functional experience.