UX/UI Design Intern • Product & System Redesign (Ongoing)
UX/UI Design Intern • Product & System Redesign (Ongoing)
UX/UI Design Intern • Product & System Redesign (Ongoing)
The DesignLemonade, LLC is a platform helping designers build sustainable businesses.
This project focused on improving the platform’s structure, navigation, and overall usability to better support how users learn and progress.
The DesignLemonade, LLC is a platform helping designers build sustainable businesses.
This project focused on improving the platform’s structure, navigation, and overall usability to better support how users learn and progress.
The DesignLemonade, LLC is a platform helping designers build sustainable businesses.
This project focused on improving the platform’s structure, navigation, and overall usability to better support how users learn and progress.
Overview
Overview
Overview
When I joined the project, the platform had strong content and a clear vision, but the experience lacked structure. Users were expected to explore freely across multiple sections, making it difficult to understand where to start or how to progress.
At the same time, the introduction of the 5 pillar system added a new layer to an already unclear structure, increasing complexity rather than improving clarity. Therefore, my role focused on translating this vision into a structured, usable product. I worked on redesigning key parts of the platform, building a design system, and leading usability testing to validate decisions before implementation.
This project is currently ongoing, in the testing and iteration phase.
When I joined the project, the platform had strong content and a clear vision, but the experience lacked structure. Users were expected to explore freely across multiple sections, making it difficult to understand where to start or how to progress.
At the same time, the introduction of the 5 pillar system added a new layer to an already unclear structure, increasing complexity rather than improving clarity. Therefore, my role focused on translating this vision into a structured, usable product. I worked on redesigning key parts of the platform, building a design system, and leading usability testing to validate decisions before implementation.
This project is currently ongoing, in the testing and iteration phase.
When I joined the project, the platform had strong content and a clear vision, but the experience lacked structure. Users were expected to explore freely across multiple sections, making it difficult to understand where to start or how to progress.
At the same time, the introduction of the 5 pillar system added a new layer to an already unclear structure, increasing complexity rather than improving clarity. Therefore, my role focused on translating this vision into a structured, usable product. I worked on redesigning key parts of the platform, building a design system, and leading usability testing to validate decisions before implementation.
This project is currently ongoing, in the testing and iteration phase.
Team & Contribution
Team & Contribution
This project was led by the founder (JC), who defined the overall vision and introduced the 5 pillar system. I worked as a UX/UI Design Intern alongside another designer (Nidhi), focusing on translating that vision into a structured, usable experience.
My contributions spanned product design, system thinking, and usability testing, with involvement across both strategy and execution.
This project was led by the founder (JC), who defined the overall vision and introduced the 5 pillar system. I worked as a UX/UI Design Intern alongside another designer (Nidhi), focusing on translating that vision into a structured, usable experience.
My contributions spanned product design, system thinking, and usability testing, with involvement across both strategy and execution.
This project was led by the founder (JC), who defined the overall vision and introduced the 5 pillar system. I worked as a UX/UI Design Intern alongside another designer (Nidhi), focusing on translating that vision into a structured, usable experience.
My contributions spanned product design, system thinking, and usability testing, with involvement across both strategy and execution.
✦
Led the redesign of the homepage and learning experience to improve clarity and navigation
Led the redesign of the homepage and learning experience to improve clarity and navigation
Led the redesign of the homepage and learning experience to improve clarity and navigation
✦
Designed scalable templates for the 5 core pillar pages
Designed scalable templates for the 5 core pillar pages
Designed scalable templates for the 5 core pillar pages
✦
Created authentication flows (sign-up and login) to support onboarding
Created authentication flows (sign-up and login) to support onboarding
Created authentication flows (sign-up and login) to support onboarding
✦
Designed dashboards for Free and Pro user experiences
Designed dashboards for Free and Pro user experiences
Designed dashboards for Free and Pro user experiences
✦
Initiated and built the design system to ensure consistency across the platform
Initiated and built the design system to ensure consistency across the platform
Initiated and built the design system to ensure consistency across the platform
✦
Improved visual quality and cohesion by generating and refining AI-based assets
Improved visual quality and cohesion by generating and refining AI-based assets
Improved visual quality and cohesion by generating and refining AI-based assets
✦
Planned and led moderated usability testing (5 sessions), identifying key usability issues
Planned and led moderated usability testing (5 sessions), identifying key usability issues
Planned and led moderated usability testing (5 sessions), identifying key usability issues
✦
Created testing scripts, user flows, and set up Maze for upcoming unmoderated testing
Created testing scripts, user flows, and set up Maze for upcoming unmoderated testing
Created testing scripts, user flows, and set up Maze for upcoming unmoderated testing
Timeline
Timeline
Jan 2026 — Apr 2026
Jan 2026 — Apr 2026
Role
Role
UX/UI Design Intern
UX/UI Design Intern
Team
Team
Julio Cesar Falu — Founder & Creative Director
Julio Cesar Falu — Founder & Creative Director
Stefany Harada — UX/UI Designer Intern
Stefany Harada — UX/UI Designer Intern
Nidhi Patel — UX/UI Designer Intern
Nidhi Patel — UX/UI Designer Intern
Tools
Tools
Figma · FigJam · ChatGPT · Maze
Figma · FigJam · ChatGPT · Maze
Skills
Skills
Product Thinking · UX Design · Information Architecture · Design Systems · Prototyping · Usability Testing
Product Thinking · UX Design · Information Architecture · Design Systems · Prototyping · Usability Testing
The Challenge
The Challenge
The Challenge
The challenge wasn’t the content, but how the platform was structured.
Users were expected to explore across multiple sections without a clear starting point or sense of progression. As a result, users struggled to understand where to begin, how to navigate, and how different parts of the platform connected. This created hesitation, increased cognitive load, and made the experience feel fragmented rather than guided.
The introduction of the 5 pillar system added another layer of complexity to an already unclear structure.
The challenge wasn’t the content, but how the platform was structured.
Users were expected to explore across multiple sections without a clear starting point or sense of progression. As a result, users struggled to understand where to begin, how to navigate, and how different parts of the platform connected. This created hesitation, increased cognitive load, and made the experience feel fragmented rather than guided.
The introduction of the 5 pillar system added another layer of complexity to an already unclear structure.
The challenge wasn’t the content, but how the platform was structured.
Users were expected to explore across multiple sections without a clear starting point or sense of progression. As a result, users struggled to understand where to begin, how to navigate, and how different parts of the platform connected. This created hesitation, increased cognitive load, and made the experience feel fragmented rather than guided.
The introduction of the 5 pillar system added another layer of complexity to an already unclear structure.
✦
No clear entry point for new users
No clear entry point for new users
No clear entry point for new users
✦
Navigation structured around content, not user progression
Navigation structured around content, not user progression
Navigation structured around content, not user progression
✦
Increasing complexity as more sections and pages were added
Increasing complexity as more sections and pages were added
Increasing complexity as more sections and pages were added
Users didn’t need more content, they needed structure, clarity, and direction.
Users didn’t need more content, they needed structure, clarity, and direction.
Users didn’t need more content, they needed structure, clarity, and direction.
Structuring the 5 Core Pillars
Structuring the
5 Pillars
Structuring the
5 Core Pillars
The platform was built around a 5-pillar system, but it started as a conceptual framework rather than a usable structure.
My role was to translate this into a product experience by aligning navigation, content, and user flows.
The platform was built around a 5-pillar system, but it started as a conceptual framework rather than a usable structure.
My role was to translate this into a product experience by aligning navigation, content, and user flows.
01
Each pillar represents a stage in the user’s journey — Users don’t think in categories, they think in progression. The pillars needed to reflect that.
Each pillar represents a stage in the user’s journey — Users don’t think in categories, they think in progression. The pillars needed to reflect that.
02
Navigation reflects progression, not just exploration — The experience should guide users forward, not leave them to figure out where to go next.
Navigation reflects progression, not just exploration — The experience should guide users forward, not leave them to figure out where to go next.
03
Content is grouped by relevance, not format — Instead of separating by type (blogs, resources, tools), content is organized based on what the user is trying to achieve.
Content is grouped by relevance, not format — Instead of separating by type (blogs, resources, tools), content is organized based on what the user is trying to achieve.
This transformation shifted the platform from a content-heavy system into a structured experience that guides users through a clear and intentional progression.
This transformation shifted the platform from a content-heavy system into a structured experience that guides users through a clear and intentional progression.
Once the progression model was defined,
I translated it into a scalable navigation and content system.
Structuring the
5 Pillars
Once the progression model was defined,
I translated it into a scalable navigation and content system.
The sitemap reflects how the pillar-based structure was integrated across navigation, content, and learning paths, creating a cohesive and scalable system.
This structure allowed the platform to scale while maintaining clarity across different types of content and user needs.
Structuring the
5 Pillars
The sitemap reflects how the pillar-based structure was integrated across navigation, content, and learning paths, creating a cohesive and scalable system.
This structure allowed the platform to scale while maintaining clarity across different types of content and user needs.
Defining the Experience Through Flows
Defining the Experience Through Flows
Defining the Experience
Through Flows
After defining the structural direction, I translated the system into user flows to understand how users would move through the platform from entry to action. Instead of jumping into UI, I used flows to identify friction points, unclear transitions, and gaps in progression, validating whether the structure actually supported user behavior.
After defining the structural direction, I translated the system into user flows to understand how users would move through the platform from entry to action. Instead of jumping into UI, I used flows to identify friction points, unclear transitions, and gaps in progression, validating whether the structure actually supported user behavior.
After defining the structural direction, I translated the system into user flows to understand how users would move through the platform from entry to action. Instead of jumping into UI, I used flows to identify friction points, unclear transitions, and gaps in progression, validating whether the structure actually supported user behavior.
Key Insight from Flows
Key Insight from Flows
Key Insight from Flows
✦
Defined primary user paths across learning, exploration, and onboarding
Defined primary user paths across learning, exploration, and onboarding
Defined primary user paths across learning, exploration, and onboarding
✦
Identified friction between sections where transitions were unclear or disconnected
Identified friction between sections where transitions were unclear or disconnected
Identified friction between sections where transitions were unclear or disconnected
✦
Validated how the 5 pillar system translated into actual navigation behavior
Validated how the 5 pillar system translated into actual navigation behavior
Validated how the 5 pillar system translated into actual navigation behavior
✦
Revealed gaps in progression, especially between entry points and deeper content
Revealed gaps in progression, especially between entry points and deeper content
Revealed gaps in progression, especially between entry points and deeper content
✦
Used flows to align structure with user progression before moving into UI
Used flows to align structure with user progression before moving into UI
Used flows to align structure with user progression before moving into UI
From Flows to Wireframes
From Flows to Wireframes
From Flows to Wireframes
As I translated flows into wireframes, inconsistencies across layouts and components became immediately visible. While the structure improved, the lack of a cohesive system made it difficult to scale the experience across multiple pillars and pages. This revealed a critical gap: the platform did not have a unified design system, which was limiting consistency and slowing down decision-making. And wireframing became a validation step, ensuring that structure, hierarchy, and user progression worked before investing in high-fidelity design.
As I translated flows into wireframes, inconsistencies across layouts and components became immediately visible. While the structure improved, the lack of a cohesive system made it difficult to scale the experience across multiple pillars and pages. This revealed a critical gap: the platform did not have a unified design system, which was limiting consistency and slowing down decision-making. And wireframing became a validation step, ensuring that structure, hierarchy, and user progression worked before investing in high-fidelity design.
As I translated flows into wireframes, inconsistencies across layouts and components became immediately visible. While the structure improved, the lack of a cohesive system made it difficult to scale the experience across multiple pillars and pages. This revealed a critical gap: the platform did not have a unified design system, which was limiting consistency and slowing down decision-making. And wireframing became a validation step, ensuring that structure, hierarchy, and user progression worked before investing in high-fidelity design.
Wireframes
Wireframes
(Click to Expand)
(Click to Expand)
Establishing a
Scalable Design System
Establishing a
Scalable Design System
Establishing a
Scalable Design System
To address these inconsistencies, I took the initiative to establish a design system that would unify the platform, support multiple contributors, and create a foundation for future design decisions.
This ensured that layouts, components, and visual patterns remained consistent across all pillars and experiences. This system became the foundation for all future design decisions.
To address these inconsistencies, I took the initiative to establish a design system that would unify the platform, support multiple contributors, and create a foundation for future design decisions.
This ensured that layouts, components, and visual patterns remained consistent across all pillars and experiences. This system became the foundation for all future design decisions.
Design System
Design System
(Click to Expand)
(Click to Expand)
✦
Core Flows
Core Flows
Core Flows
✦
Translating Structure into Interface Design
Translating Structure into Interface Design
Translating Structure into Interface Design
With the structure defined, the next step was translating it into interface design.
The goal was not just visual polish, but to ensure that hierarchy, navigation, and interaction patterns clearly reflected user progression.
With the structure defined, the next step was translating it into interface design.
The goal was not just visual polish, but to ensure that hierarchy, navigation, and interaction patterns clearly reflected user progression.
A convention serves radically different people with radically different needs: fans, cosplayers, vendors, volunteers, sponsors. We mapped 11 user flows to ensure the platform worked at every entry point. These are the five I led most closely.
01
01
01
Homepage
& Entry Experience
Homepage
& Entry Experience
Homepage
& Entry Experience
The homepage was redesigned to provide a clear starting point, helping users understand how to begin and where to go next. Instead of presenting content immediately, the experience introduces structure first, allowing users to choose how they enter the platform based on their goals.
The homepage was redesigned to provide a clear starting point, helping users understand how to begin and where to go next. Instead of presenting content immediately, the experience introduces structure first, allowing users to choose how they enter the platform based on their goals.
The homepage was redesigned to provide a clear starting point, helping users understand how to begin and where to go next. Instead of presenting content immediately, the experience introduces structure first, allowing users to choose how they enter the platform based on their goals.
✦
Introduced a clearer entry point to guide first-time users
Introduced a clearer entry point to guide first-time users
Introduced a clearer entry point to guide first-time users
✦
Structured navigation around progression rather than exploration
Structured navigation around progression rather than exploration
Structured navigation around progression rather than exploration
✦
Reduced cognitive load by simplifying initial choices
Reduced cognitive load by simplifying initial choices
Reduced cognitive load by simplifying initial choices
Impact
Impact
Impact
Users understand where to start and how to move forward, reducing confusion and improving early engagement.
Users understand where to start and how to move forward, reducing confusion and improving early engagement.
Users understand where to start and how to move forward, reducing confusion and improving early engagement.
02
02
02
Learning Experience
(Core Pillars)
Learning Experience
(Core Pillars)
Learning Experience
(Core Pillars)
The learning experience was restructured around the 5 pillars, transforming them from a conceptual framework into a navigable system. Each pillar functions as a structured environment where users can explore content, resources, and actions aligned with a specific stage of their journey.
The learning experience was restructured around the 5 pillars, transforming them from a conceptual framework into a navigable system. Each pillar functions as a structured environment where users can explore content, resources, and actions aligned with a specific stage of their journey.
The learning experience was restructured around the 5 pillars, transforming them from a conceptual framework into a navigable system. Each pillar functions as a structured environment where users can explore content, resources, and actions aligned with a specific stage of their journey.
✦
Designed consistent templates to create clarity and predictability across all pillar pages
Designed consistent templates to create clarity and predictability across all pillar pages
Designed consistent templates to create clarity and predictability across all pillar pages
✦
Organized content around user intent instead of content type
Organized content around user intent instead of content type
Organized content around user intent instead of content type
✦
Structured layouts to reinforce progression and guide users forward
Structured layouts to reinforce progression and guide users forward
Structured layouts to reinforce progression and guide users forward
Impact
Impact
Impact
Users can understand where they are in their journey and what to do next, reducing confusion and supporting more intentional engagement.
Users can understand where they are in their journey and what to do next, reducing confusion and supporting more intentional engagement.
Users can understand where they are in their journey and what to do next, reducing confusion and supporting more intentional engagement.
03
03
03
Dashboard
(Free vs Pro Experience)
Dashboard
(Free vs Pro Experience)
Dashboard
(Free vs Pro Experience)
The dashboard was designed to reflect different user states, adapting the experience based on membership level. The goal was to provide clarity, personalization, and quick access to relevant actions.
The dashboard was designed to reflect different user states, adapting the experience based on membership level. The goal was to provide clarity, personalization, and quick access to relevant actions.
The dashboard was designed to reflect different user states, adapting the experience based on membership level. The goal was to provide clarity, personalization, and quick access to relevant actions.
✦
Differentiated Free and Pro experiences through layout, content access,
and feature visibility
Differentiated Free and Pro experiences through layout, content access,
and feature visibility
Differentiated Free and Pro experiences through layout, content access,
and feature visibility
✦
Prioritized key actions and progress indicators to guide user behavior
Prioritized key actions and progress indicators to guide user behavior
Prioritized key actions and progress indicators to guide user behavior
✦
Designed the experience to highlight value and encourage progression toward Pro
Designed the experience to highlight value and encourage progression toward Pro
Designed the experience to highlight value and encourage progression toward Pro
04
04
04
Authentication
(Sign Up & Login)
Authentication
(Sign Up & Login)
Authentication
(Sign Up & Login)
The authentication experience was designed to reduce friction during onboarding and create a smoother entry into the platform. The focus was on simplifying the process while maintaining clarity and user confidence.
The authentication experience was designed to reduce friction during onboarding and create a smoother entry into the platform. The focus was on simplifying the process while maintaining clarity and user confidence.
The authentication experience was designed to reduce friction during onboarding and create a smoother entry into the platform. The focus was on simplifying the process while maintaining clarity and user confidence.
✦
Simplified form structure and reduced input requirements
Simplified form structure and reduced input requirements
Simplified form structure and reduced input requirements
✦
Improved clarity in onboarding steps and feedback
Improved clarity in onboarding steps and feedback
Improved clarity in onboarding steps and feedback
✦
Removed unnecessary complexity to streamline account creation
Removed unnecessary complexity to streamline account creation
Removed unnecessary complexity to streamline account creation
Impact
Impact
Impact
A smoother onboarding experience that reduces friction, builds user confidence, and improves completion rates from the first interaction.
A smoother onboarding experience that reduces friction, builds user confidence, and improves completion rates from the first interaction.
A smoother onboarding experience that reduces friction, builds user confidence, and improves completion rates from the first interaction.
Usability Testing & Insights
Usability Testing & Insights
Usability Testing & Insights
To validate the new structure and navigation, I planned and led moderated usability testing sessions with participants aligned with the platform’s target audience. The goal was to understand how users navigate the 5 pillar system, identify friction points, and evaluate whether the experience supports clear progression.
To validate the new structure and navigation, I planned and led moderated usability testing sessions with participants aligned with the platform’s target audience. The goal was to understand how users navigate the 5 pillar system, identify friction points, and evaluate whether the experience supports clear progression.
To validate the new structure and navigation, I planned and led moderated usability testing sessions with participants aligned with the platform’s target audience. The goal was to understand how users navigate the 5 pillar system, identify friction points, and evaluate whether the experience supports clear progression.
Participants
Participants
Total of 4 participants with backgrounds in design and creative fields. Mix of experiences levels and expertises to capture both new and experienced user perspectives.
Total of 4 participants with backgrounds in design and creative fields. Mix of experiences levels and expertises to capture both new and experienced user perspectives.
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
4 Moderated sessions
Around 30 min to 1 hour
Task-based walkthroughts & Feedbacks
4 Moderated sessions
Around 30 min to 1 hour
Task-based walkthroughts & Feedbacks
Tools
Tools
Zoom — hosting the usability test
Google Docs — documentation and script
Maze — (upcoming) host unmoderated test
Zoom — hosting the usability test
Google Docs — documentation and script
Maze — (upcoming) host unmoderated test
Key Insights from Testing
Key Insights from Testing
Key Insights from Testing
Testing Snapshots
Testing Snapshots
Testing Snapshots
(Sessions were recorded and analyzed to identify patterns across user behavior and feedback)
(Sessions were recorded and analyzed to identify patterns across user behavior and feedback)
How Testing Influenced the Design
How Testing Influenced the Design
Creative Direction & Hands-On Design
Testing revealed that while the new structure improved clarity, several areas still created friction in navigation and decision-making.
These insights directly informed the next iteration of the experience.
Testing revealed that while the new structure improved clarity, several areas still created friction in navigation and decision-making.
These insights directly informed the next iteration of the experience.
Testing revealed that while the new structure improved clarity, several areas still created friction in navigation and decision-making.
These insights directly informed the next iteration of the experience.
What was good
What was good
What was good
✦
The 5 pillar structure helped users understand progression
The 5 pillar structure helped users understand progression
✦
Users responded positively to clearer content grouping
Users responded positively to clearer content grouping
✦
The overall system felt more structured compared to the previous version
The overall system felt more structured compared to the previous version
✦
Users were able to complete core tasks without major blockers
Users were able to complete core tasks without major blockers
What needs to change or improve
What needs to change or improve
What needs to change or improve
✦
Reinforced the need for a clearer entry point for new users
Reinforced the need for a clearer entry point for new users
✦
Identified navigation gaps between pillar sections
Identified navigation gaps between pillar sections
✦
Exposed confusion caused by multiple overlapping entry paths
Exposed confusion caused by multiple overlapping entry paths
✦
Highlighted issues with naming and labeling across the platform
Highlighted issues with naming and labeling across the platform
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
Ongoing Iteration…
Ongoing Iteration…
Ongoing Iteration…
This project is currently in an active iteration phase. Insights from moderated usability testing are being translated into structural and navigation improvements across the platform. The next phase focuses on refining key areas such as entry points, navigation clarity, and content organization, based on observed user behavior. Upcoming work includes validating these updates through unmoderated testing and preparing the system for implementation within the live product (in WordPress).
This project is currently in an active iteration phase. Insights from moderated usability testing are being translated into structural and navigation improvements across the platform. The next phase focuses on refining key areas such as entry points, navigation clarity, and content organization, based on observed user behavior. Upcoming work includes validating these updates through unmoderated testing and preparing the system for implementation within the live product (in WordPress).
This project is currently in an active iteration phase. Insights from moderated usability testing are being translated into structural and navigation improvements across the platform. The next phase focuses on refining key areas such as entry points, navigation clarity, and content organization, based on observed user behavior. Upcoming work includes validating these updates through unmoderated testing and preparing the system for implementation within the live product (in WordPress).
Explore
The DesignLemonade
Explore
The Design Lemonade
Explore
The Design
Lemonade
Explore The DesignLemonade
This project focused on restructuring the learning experience to improve clarity and navigation. Explore the designed solution and how it translates into the live platform.
This project focused on restructuring the learning experience to improve clarity and navigation. Explore the designed solution and how it translates into the live platform.
Prototype
Explore the redesigned structure, including the pillar-based navigation and key learning flows.
Live Website
See how the platform exists today and how the experience translates into a real product.
