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Gritly

First UX project to $2B acquisition: Built EdTech platform recognized by Google for Startups

EdTech | Startup | Dashboard Design

Overview

In 2020, I was approached by the CEO of a local Denver startup, Gritly, for my first UX project. Gritly helps increase diversity in the workplace by providing resources and education to those who are trying to break into the industry. Launched in one month's time, I was the key contributor to every step of the design process. I collaborated with a small team to create the debut interactive dashboard for a company called Gritly. From brainstorming, drafting, research, user journeys, mockups, and wireframing, to implementation and finally, release and updates. Expedited designs for a 1 month launch, integral to the company’s 50% growth in users, national recognition by Google for Startups, and eventual acquisition $2B acquisition by IIA Healthcare.

Categories

EdTech | Dashboard Design | Startup

Timeline

August 2020 - August 2021

Client

Gritly

Role

UX/UI Designer – EdTech Platform MVP

Problem

There is a lack of diverse talent in tech sales. Gritly was launched to derisk the hiring process by connecting employers with talent that can actually get the job done.

Gritly's CEO, David Lopez, approached me with a problem he was experiencing in his platform.While they were recruiting diverse candidates & matching a growing number of employers, they did not have a portal where recruiters & potential employers could talk to each other. The goal was to research, strategize and design a Learning Management System to help Gritly empower their candidates with training, manage curriculum and students, and get candidates hired faster.

There is a lack of diverse talent in tech sales. Gritly was launched to derisk the hiring process by connecting employers with talent that can actually get the job done.

Gritly's CEO, David Lopez, approached me with a problem he was experiencing in his platform.While they were recruiting diverse candidates & matching a growing number of employers, they did not have a portal where recruiters & potential employers could talk to each other. The goal was to research, strategize and design a Learning Management System to help Gritly empower their candidates with training, manage curriculum and students, and get candidates hired faster.

Approach

Tools: Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, G Suite, Slack.

Process

Question <-> Extract Ideology <-> Start with a base persona <-> Build up on its attributes <-> Eventually arrive at a finalized perfect fit persona type <-> Figure out/predict some close-ended replies <-> Data analytics and metrics on the collected answers data <-> Feed into a supervised model made with answers as weights to the hidden layers.

Question <-> Extract Ideology <-> Start with a base persona <-> Build up on its attributes <-> Eventually arrive at a finalized perfect fit persona type <-> Figure out/predict some close-ended replies <-> Data analytics and metrics on the collected answers data <-> Feed into a supervised model made with answers as weights to the hidden layers.

Research & Drafting

In the first stage, we researched different user portals (such as Canva, Blackboard, etc.) and gathered notes on their accessibility, function, design, and log-in portals. We then created and drafted different wireframes (see below) in Figma. With multiple base drafts, we conducted real-time user interviews.

Since our approach was to create user personas that we could model a portal for, we dedicated quite a bit of time to interviewing different Gritly members. To the right, you'll how we conducted the interviews and the questions we asked. 

After conducting the research, we built user personas (what are the pain points, what features would be the best for our users, and how they function) we then repeated the process.

In the first stage, we researched different user portals (such as Canva, Blackboard, etc.) and gathered notes on their accessibility, function, design, and log-in portals. We then created and drafted different wireframes (see below) in Figma. With multiple base drafts, we conducted real-time user interviews.

Since our approach was to create user personas that we could model a portal for, we dedicated quite a bit of time to interviewing different Gritly members. To the right, you'll how we conducted the interviews and the questions we asked. 

After conducting the research, we built user personas (what are the pain points, what features would be the best for our users, and how they function) we then repeated the process.

Wireframes

I don't have access to the original files in Fimga anymore. But here are the original drafts:

Key Take Aways

What would have done differently:

1. 1. Interview different people outside of Gritly. I feel like that would have been key to making something even more competitive.

2. Prioritize quick drafting and quick turnaround times. I had multiple projects that were all demanding my attention. Going back I would make sure I am drafting more quickly, even if it was just sketches and doing it at a much quicker pace to get more targeted feedback.

3. Ask better questions. This was my first UI/UX project and I know I could have asked better questions. Such as  "What do we want to see in the first build?", "What can we expect in our first/second / etc. build", "When is our estimated/anticipated / desired deadline?", "Are there any limits? (time, money, team capacity/knowledge)", and many others.

4. Take screenshots of the wireframing and drafting in Figma! Unfortunately, my BIGGEST regret is not being able to show off all the behind scenes work due to IP. 

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Looking for a thoughtful designer, who creates to scale, and values craft and impact?

You've found her. Currently open to UX & product design positions.

Let's create something lovely together!

Book a call

Looking for a thoughtful designer, who creates to scale, and values craft and impact?

You've found her. Currently open to UX & product design positions.

Let's create something lovely together!

Book a call

Looking for a thoughtful designer, who creates to scale, and values craft and impact?

You've found her. Currently open to UX & product design positions.