Making SkillSquirrel’s current Group and Event widgets more usable by surfacing details and reducing confusing flows.
Making SkillSquirrel’s current Group and Event widgets more usable by surfacing details and reducing confusing flows.
Role
Intern Designer
Scope
UI/UX, UXR
Timeline
May – August 2025
Type
Shipped
Overview
Overview
The right tools weren't accessible
The right tools weren't accessible
As a Product Design Intern at SkillSquirrel, I led a redesign of the Group and Event widgets. Poor information architecture buried important details, while unclear flows left users unsure of how to proceed, making it far more difficult to complete core tasks. After the redesign, engagement improved as these features became easier to find and use.
As a Product Design Intern at SkillSquirrel, I led a redesign of the Group and Event widgets. Poor information architecture buried important details, while unclear flows left users unsure of how to proceed, making it far more difficult to complete core tasks. After the redesign, engagement improved as these features became easier to find and use.
Higher Conversions
9% increase in conversion rates after the Group and Event widgets redesign.
Reduced Drop-offs
12% reduction in drop-off rates after clearer navigation and flow improvements.
More Accessible
10% increase in task success rates after the accessibility improvements.
Higher Conversions
9% increase in user conversion rates after the Group and Event widgets redesign.
Reduced Drop-offs
12% reduction in user drop-off rates after clearer navigation and flow improvements.
Greater Accessibility
10% increase in task success rates after accessibility improvements.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Lack of value or lack of design?
Lack of value or lack of design?
Low conversion rates made it seem like the Group and Event widgets had no real value, but on a hiring platform like SkillSquirrel, that felt unlikely. I hypothesized that they were being overlooked because poor design made them hard to find and use. I needed solid data to back this up before reaching conclusions.
Low conversion rates made it seem like the Group and Event widgets had no real value, but on a hiring platform like SkillSquirrel, that felt unlikely. I hypothesized that they were being overlooked because poor design made them hard to find and use. I needed solid data to back this up before reaching conclusions.
Research Questions
Research Questions
I needed to ask the right questions
I needed to ask the right questions
I came up with research questions to understand how users interacted with the Group and Event widgets and the challenges they faced. These questions would help me uncover where the experience was breaking down and what changes could make the features more usable while driving higher conversion rates.
I came up with research questions to understand how users interacted with the Group and Event widgets and the challenges they faced. These questions would help me uncover where the experience was breaking down and what changes could make the features more usable while driving higher conversion rates.
What prevents current users from finding key information?
Navigation and Clarity issues
How do current user flows impact user engagement?
Current Usability Barriers
What changes would drive use of groups and events?
Adoption and Task success
What prevents current users from finding key information?
Navigation and Clarity issues
How do current user flows impact user engagement?
Process and Usability Barriers
What changes would drive use of groups and events?
Adoption and Task success
TARGET USERS
TARGET USERS
Defining the target users segments
Defining the target users segments
Finding the right group of people to talk to was key to solving the issues. I focused on users who relied on the Group and Event widgets so that their feedback and insights directly reflected the current pain-points. To encourage their participation, they were offered a free membership upgrade for taking part in the study.
Finding the right group of people to talk to was key to solving the issues. I focused on users who relied on the Group and Event widgets so that their feedback and insights directly reflected the current pain-points. To encourage their participation, they were offered a free membership upgrade for taking part in the study.
First Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points in discoverability flow.
Users seeking to network
Users looking to attend events or join groups primarily to expand their network.
Second Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points for users hosting events.
Professionals hosting events
Users with a professional subscription who were actively hosting or managing events.
Third Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points for users managing groups.
Professionals managing groups
Users who were responsible for creating or maintaining groups.
First Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points in event and group discoverability flow.
Users seeking to network
Users looking to attend events or join groups primarily to expand their network.
Second Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points from the perspective of users hosting events.
Professionals hosting events
Users with a professional subscription who were actively hosting or managing events.
Third Customer Segment
Can help identify pain points for users managing groups.
Professionals managing groups
Users with a professional subscription who were responsible for creating or maintaining groups.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
How I approached the research
How I approached the research
To test the hypothesis, I conducted a survey with 22 users mainly from the first customer segment. These surveys helped me understand whether the widgets themselves provided value, and where users felt they fell short. The survey results showed that users valued the widgets but found them to be hard to use.
To test the hypothesis, I conducted a survey with 22 users mainly from the first customer segment. These surveys helped me understand whether the widgets themselves provided value, and where users felt they fell short. The survey results showed that users valued the widgets but found them to be hard to use.
Confusing Flows
81% of surveyed users said the said the widgets were a feature they found to be useful.
Unclear Design
86% of surveyed users said current layouts were extremely confusing and hard to understand.
Buried Details
73% of surveyed users said they’d use the widgets more if details were easier to find.
Confusing Flows
81% of surveyed users said the said the widgets were a feature they found to be useful.
Unclear Design
86% of surveyed users said current layouts were extremely confusing and hard to understand.
Buried Details
73% of surveyed users said they’d use the widgets more if details were easier to find.
Journey Mapping
Journey Mapping
Mapping Friction Points
Mapping Friction Points
I mapped the current user journey to highlight where issues arise and how it connects to survey feedback. The flow showed that key details and CTAs are hidden behind several clicks, making it harder to evaluate groups or events. This reinforced the survey insights and highlighted the area that I needed to redesign.
I mapped the current user journey to highlight where issues arise and how it connects to survey feedback. The flow showed that key details and CTAs are hidden behind several clicks, making it harder to evaluate groups or events. This reinforced the survey insights and highlighted the area that I needed to redesign.
Login
Home
Events
Groups
Filter
Widgets
Expanded Widget
Details
CTA
Buried information here loses engagement
Current widget flows hide key details behind extra steps forcing users to expand and navigate pages just to decide. This friction discourages engagement.
This part works as intended
The navigation from login to groups and events is clear and will remain unchanged. Users have no issues.
Login
Home
Events
Groups
Filter
Widgets
Expanded Widget
Details
CTA
Buried information in this part loses engagement
Current widget flows hide key details behind extra steps forcing users to expand and navigate pages just to decide. This friction drastically discourages user engagement.
This part works exactly as intended
Users had no issues here. The navigation from login to groups and events is clear and will remain unchanged.
HEURISTIC EVALUATION
HEURISTIC EVALUATION
Exposing points of friction
Exposing points of friction
To build on the findings so far, I ran a heuristic evaluation of both widgets. This helped surface where the design was breaking down and showed how closely these issues aligned with what had already been observed. The gathered insights revealed several shortcomings that could explain the earlier feedback.
To build on the findings so far, I ran a heuristic evaluation of both widgets. This helped surface where the design was breaking down and showed how closely these issues aligned with what had already been observed. The gathered insights revealed several shortcomings that could explain the earlier feedback.
Details are hidden and tags are inconsistent
Key details are buried behind expansion, reducing scanability. Tags are crowded with no hierarchy, and inconsistent styles weaken clarity.
Poor affordances, what does arrow button do?
Arrow gives little indication of what expanding reveals, leaving users unsure if it’s worth clicking. This complicates navigation needlessly.
A weak hierarchy
The presented key details are visually downplayed.
Legacy event widget
Lacks clarity, which of these is the title?
Group name, role, and description are cut off. The hierarchy is confusing, and it is unclear what “Road Con” means in relation to “Julius Builders Grp.”
Context behind icons?
Icon and verification badge have no context.
Weak CTA design, easily missed + hard to find
The “Join” CTA is small and muted in color, making it easy to miss despite being the primary action.
Legacy group widget
The details are hidden and the tags are inconsistent
Key details are buried behind expansion, reducing overall scannability. The tags are crowded with no hierarchy, and inconsistent styles weaken clarity.
Poor affordances, what does this arrow button do?
The arrow gives little indication of what expanding reveals, leaving users unsure if it’s worth clicking. This ultimately complicates navigation needlessly.
A weak hierarchy
Important details like date and location are visually downplayed.
Legacy event widget
This section lacks clarity, which of these is the title?
The group name, role, and description are cut off. The hierarchy is confusing, and it is unclear what “Road Con” means in relation to “Julius Builders Grp.”
Context behind these icons?
Icon and verification badge have no context.
Weak CTA design, easily missed and hard to find
The “+ Join” button is small and muted in color, making it easy to miss despite being the primary action.
Legacy group widget
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
Framing core problems
Framing core problems
The heuristic evaluation combined with survey feedback confirmed my hypothesis that poor design was limiting how users engaged with the widgets. Several consistent patterns surfaced, pointing to key issues that I had to resolve If I wanted to the improve the usability of the widgets and increase conversion rates.
The heuristic evaluation combined with survey feedback confirmed my hypothesis that poor design was limiting how users engaged with the widgets. Several consistent patterns surfaced, pointing to key issues that I had to resolve If I wanted to the improve the usability of the widgets and increase conversion rates.
Hard to Scan
Key details like time and location were buried, making events harder to evaluate.
Broken Hierarchy
Poor hierarchy blurred the difference between group names, roles, and descriptions.
Overlooked CTAs
Join and expand actions blended into the interface and were often missed.
Hard to Scan
Key details like time and location buried, making events harder to evaluate.
Broken Hierarchy
Hierarchy blurred difference between group names, roles, and descriptions.
Overlooked CTAs
Join and expand actions blended into the interface and were often missed.
HMW Statement
HMW Statement
Breaking the cycle
Breaking the cycle
The lack of awareness, inconsistent design, buried details, and accessibility gaps made one thing clear: the problem wasn’t value, it was usability. How might we redesign these widgets so that users can quickly find information, complete tasks with clarity, and stay engaged?
The lack of awareness, inconsistent design, buried details, and accessibility gaps made one thing clear: the problem wasn’t value, it was usability. How might we redesign these widgets so that users can quickly find information, complete tasks with clarity, and stay engaged?
IDEATION
IDEATION
Workshopping the solutions
Workshopping the solutions
With solid insights from users, I partnered with the other design interns to run a cross-functional workshop aimed at redesigning the features. I also brought in the key stakeholders, the QA team, and the Dev team to gather different perspectives and ensure the proposed solutions were even possible to for the devs build.
With solid insights from users, I partnered with the other design interns to run a cross-functional workshop aimed at redesigning the features. I also brought in the key stakeholders, the QA team, and the Dev team to gather different perspectives and ensure the proposed solutions were even possible to for the devs build.
Design Principles
Design Principles
Guiding the Redesign
Guiding the Redesign
During the workshop, many of the proposed solutions were too just ambitious or out-right not feasible within the current constraints. To keep the redesign focused, I set three design principles to guide every idea. These ensured solutions remained practical, addressed user pain points, and could be integrated.
During the workshop, many of the proposed solutions were too just ambitious or out-right not feasible within the current constraints. To keep the redesign focused, I set three design principles to guide every idea. These ensured solutions remained practical, addressed user pain points, and could be integrated.
Clarity
Clarity
Real consequences to reduce ghosting and drive respectful behavior.
Consistency
Consistency
Create a unified structure and visual language so content is always clear.
Create a unified structure and visual language so content is always clear.
Visibility
Visibility
Highlight key CTAs like joining and expanding so engagement is effortless.
Highlight key CTAs like joining and expanding so engagement is effortless.
Clarity
Surface essential details upfront so events and groups are always easy to scan.
Consistency
Create a unified structure and visual language so content is always clear.
Visibility
Highlight key CTAs like joining and expanding so engagement is effortless.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
From insight to solutions
From insight to solutions
After setting out these design principles, I used them as a filter on the solutions we developed during the workshopping session. This helped me further refine the solutions and ensured they stayed aligned with both user needs and stakeholder goals, while also providing a clear foundation for the ensuing redesign.
After setting out these design principles, I used them as a filter on the solutions we developed during the workshopping session. This helped me further refine the solutions and ensured they stayed aligned with both user needs and stakeholder goals, while also providing a clear foundation for the ensuing redesign.
Solutions
Solutions
Everything in view
Everything in view
The updated widgets focus on reducing friction and making key information easier to access. Clearer structure and simplified interactions create a smoother flow, while stronger visual cues guide users toward taking action. These improvements make the widgets more intuitive and encourage consistent engagement.
The updated widgets focus on reducing friction and making key information easier to access. Clearer structure and simplified interactions create a smoother flow, while stronger visual cues guide users toward taking action. These improvements make the widgets more intuitive and encourage consistent engagement.
Updated event widget
Clarity in content hierarchy
Event title, host, and description are separated by scale and spacing. This structure helps our users quickly information.
A far stronger first impression
Larger image makes the widget more more noticeable to users.
Key details surfaced upfront
Details are surfaced upfront while the built-in navigation bar lets users switch between internal tabs to access extra details.
Updated group widget
Updated hierarchy for content
Group name, tags, and CTAs are organized clearly so that users can understand group purpose.
Clearer Group Identity
Image and background draw users in, while the verification badge with its color-coded tag makes credibility clear at a glance.
Richer context and navigation
Description gives key context up front while nav bar keeps extras like events within easy reach.
Updated event widget
Clarity in the content hierarchy
Event title, host, and description are separated by scale and spacing. This structure helps our users quickly find relevant information about the event.
A far stronger first impression
The larger image makes the widget more far more noticeable to users.
Key details surfaced upfront
Key details are surfaced upfront while the built-in navigation bar lets users quickly switch between internal tabs to access extra details.
Updated group widget
Clear hierarchy for titles and tags
The group name, tags, and CTAs are organized clearly so that users can understand what and who group is for, and how to engage right away.
Clearer identity and trust signals
Image and background draw users in, while the verification badge with its color-coded tag makes credibility clear at a glance.
Richer context and navigation
Description gives key context up front while nav bar keeps extras like events within easy reach.
Key Learning Moment
Key Learning Moment
Putting It to the test
Putting It to the test
With the designs in place, I needed to see if they held up in practice. I worked with the QA team, running several usability tests to see how they moved through the widgets and where tasks improved. This was about confirming users could find the information they needed and that the redesign made it clearer.
With the designs in place, I needed to see if they held up in practice. I worked with the QA team, running several usability tests to see how they moved through the widgets and where tasks improved. This was about confirming users could find the information they needed and that the redesign made it clearer.
Testing Outcomes
Testing Outcomes
Widget usability in practice
Widget usability in practice
With the redesigned widgets in place, I needed to see if they held up in practice. I ran task-based usability tests with members of the QA team, splitting them between the old and new versions. The goal was to see whether users could complete tasks more easily, and whether the redesign improved clarity and usability.
With the redesigned widgets in place, I needed to see if they held up in practice. I ran task-based usability tests with members of the QA team, splitting them between the old and new versions. The goal was to see whether users could complete tasks more easily, and whether the redesign improved clarity and usability.
Quicker Discovery
87% described group purpose accurately vs. 59% before.
Higher Completion
Users found event time and location in 11s vs. 20s before.
Improved Usability
Overall widget usability scores rose from 5.9 to 8.3.
Quicker Discovery
87% group purpose accurately vs. 59% before.
Higher Completion
Users found event time and location in 11s vs. 20s before.
Improved Usability
Overall widget usability scores rose from 5.9 to 8.3.
Measuring the Impact
Measuring the Impact
Results through clarity
Results through clarity
KPIs two months after launch confirmed my hypothesis; showing a 10% increase in task success rates. While lower than expected, this was my first time shipping a live product and that came with challenges.
KPIs two months after launch confirmed my hypothesis; showing a 10% increase in task success rates. While lower than expected, this was my first time shipping a live product and that came with challenges.
Reflection
Reflection
Clarity through teamwork
Clarity through teamwork
Collaboration played the most important role in the success of this project, as working with designers and other teams kept the redesign grounded in real-world constraints. It showed me how real work differs from school projects, where outcomes depend on teamwork and working within constraints, not just creativity.
Collaboration played the most important role in the success of this project, as working with designers and other teams kept the redesign grounded in real-world constraints. It showed me how real work differs from school projects, where outcomes depend on teamwork and working within constraints, not just creativity.
Fin.
Fin.
Role
Sole Designer
Scope
Product Design
Timeline
May - June 2025
Type
Conceptual
Under Construction
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