top of page
Internship
Helping student-athletes navigate post-sports life through 1-1 mentorship
My Role
Lead UX/UI Designer & UX Researcher
Duration
Aug 2023 - Present
Tools & Software
Figma, Adobe CC, Google Suite, Slack & Zoom
ABOUT VELOSATY
Started by a former student-athlete, Velosaty understands the difficult transition into post-sports life
MY ROLE
Joining Velosaty, my goal was to bridge research insights with design strategy, ensuring cohesive and impactful user experiences
Key Projects:
INITIAL STATE & ISSUES
Velosaty initially struggled with a broad and unfocused product offering, which led to a confusing user experience and a lack of distinct visual identity
Opportunities for improvement:
NARROWING PRODUCT FOCUS
Research Question:
What makes mentorship programs effective for student-athletes?
Effective mentorship has enhanced career exploration, skill development, and confidence in students, especially benefitting student-athletes
Findings Summary:
Program Types
• LTCC, Psychological vs Career-focused, Peer, E-mentoring
​
Student Benefits
• Explore careers, boost self-efficacy, gain confidence
• Crucial support for student-athletes
​
Key Elements
• Early intervention, careful mentor-mentee matching
• Practical activities, emphasis on life skills
• Regular program feedback
​
Relationship Dynamics
• Build strong, long-term mentor-mentee bonds
• Comprehensive training for success
​
Mentor Characteristics
• Discuss genealogy, act as mentors & role models
• Mentor success aids mentee success
• Mandatory training and qualifications
THE DESIGN
Redefining our visual identity provided a strong foundation for all design work, ensuring consistency and clarity
Website Landing Pages:
Original
1st Iteration
​Lack of unique/
memorable visual identity
Lack of product clarity ​
Vague information​
Consistent visual identity
Improved product clarity
More detailed information
Usability Testing:
1. Homepage
Before
After
.jpg)
Separate Login & Sign up buttons to better match users' mental models
Larger text to improve readability
More specific information to improve transparency and reduce user confusion
Reduced program complexity by removing "mentorship packages"
Replaced with information on our founder / company beginnings
2. Mentorship Program Details
Before
After
Reframing our terminology from "micro mentorship" to just "mentorship" we reduced user confusion
Our initial reasoning was to emphasize the short program length, but some users pointed to the negative connotation of "micro" and others simply did not understand what it meant
By removing "mentorship packages," users can tailor their mentorship to their current needs and goals instead of feeling constrained by the package they choose
This decision also helped with feasibility and sticking to our launch timeline
Non-clickable items should not resemble buttons
IMPACT & REFLECTION
This case study highlights my readiness to take on new challenges and make meaningful contributions in future roles
Navigating Ambiguity:
By working closely with our founder, we turned ambiguity into clarity, defining a focused MVP that aligns with our mission
Embracing Adaptability:
While it can be challenging to change direction after investing significant time and effort into an initial idea, our decision to focus solely on the mentorship program proved to be vital. This strategic pivot allowed us to concentrate our resources on creating a high-impact, realistic MVP, positioning us for a successful launch.
Personal Growth:
During my time at Velosaty, I stepped up into a leadership position when our team lacked direction. By leading meetings, assigning tasks, and advocating for our team's decisions, I played a crucial role in guiding us through pivotal moments. This experience significantly boosted my confidence as both a designer and a leader. It taught me the importance of strategic thinking, effective communication, and fostering a collaborative environment.
bottom of page