This project involved designing a web platform concept for Career Bond, focused on helping career switchers navigate bootcamp programs and student financing with clarity and confidence. The platform was created to solve common user frustrations such as scattered information, unclear loan options, and a lack of trustworthy comparisons across training programs.
The experience was designed to let users explore career paths, compare top bootcamps side by side, and view transparent tuition and loan options before applying. It also included features like alumni connection prompts and school program tags to simplify decision-making.
I designed this platform from the ground up, using user interviews and research insights to shape the product vision and flows. With feedback from my mentor, I crafted a focused, research-backed experience that aligns with real user expectations and constraints in the education financing space.
My role
UX Designer
Timeline
March – June 2025
Platform
Responsive Website
The client
Career Bond
_Background
By integrating financing into the early stages of decision-making, Career Bond empowers users to focus on choosing the right school rather than worrying about how to pay for it, removing the uncertainty and stress that often come with traditional financing methods.
I appreciated how Khanh took a pretty complex process and turned it into something simple and intuitive. I really liked the loan calculator and how she laid out the flow in a way that makes sense. Khanh understood what we were going for and added structure where it was missing. The screens look clean, the experience feels smooth, and the brand feels like us. Great stuff.
Darius Goldman
Founder
_Impact
While the product is still evolving, the new user flows and design strategy support Career Bond’s early traction and growth by aligning the platform more closely with what users need to move forward with confidence.
_Stakeholder Interview
To kick off the project, I met with Darius, the founder of Career Bond, to better understand the platform’s current challenges and product goals. Our discussion focused on drop-offs at the financing stage, misalignment between user expectations and the enrollment flow, and the need for a clearer path to pre-qualification.
A photo from our team Zoom meeting with the stakeholder
Affinity mapping
_The Challenge
Users were navigating a messy flow across emails, external sites, and delayed financing steps. There was no central hub to guide them from exploration to application. As a result, many dropped off before completing key actions like submitting inquiries or pre-qualifying for loans.
_Problem statement
They don’t know who to trust, they’re not sure what program is right for them, and they’re worried about money. Everything feels scattered — different websites, forms, messages — and it’s hard to know what to do next. They just want a clear way to compare their options and feel confident about their decision.
_Ideation
Round 1 – Flow clarity issues
The initial wireframes covered the full user journey but didn’t present information in a way that guided users effectively. Key financing details were buried too deep in the flow, and the value of pre-qualification wasn’t immediately clear. This round helped surface the need for stronger content hierarchy and clearer entry points.
A few screens from the first round of wireframming
Round 2 – Technical constraints
In this version, I introduced a more dynamic user experience that included a chat-style interaction and advisor support. While the concept tested well, it was not technically feasible for Career Bond’s current build. Features like in-flow messaging were deprioritized, which helped refocus the experience around core functionality.
A few screens from the second round of wireframming
Round 3 – Final flow direction, copy needed refinement
This version aligned well with the team’s goals and passed initial usability checks. The structure was solid, and users moved through the steps as intended. The remaining challenge was refining the copy to improve clarity, tone, and trust, especially around financial details and next steps.
A few screens from the third round of wireframming
_Final Design
The design introduces a clean and polished visual language that reflects Career Bond’s credibility and mission. Right at the start, users are asked where they are in their journey (exploring careers, looking for schools, or ready to finance), which allows the platform to guide them down the most relevant path.
_Design Solution
Clear, consistent branding
From layout to tone, the experience feels cohesive and credible, no pop-ups, redirects, or bait-and-switch tactics. This builds user confidence and signals that Career Bond is here to guide, not sell.
Detailed, honest content
Users see ROI, reviews, program fees, and curriculum, the exact info they want before committing.
Clear loan breakdowns
Terms are explained in plain language, with a calculator to show real costs and personalized estimates.
_Design Solution
One platform, two clear main flows
A clean, focused experience with no login and dashboard required, tailor for users in different stages.
Strategic information hierarchy
Users see only what’s relevant at each step, reducing overwhelm and helping them move forward confidently.
Guided experience, not guesswork
Each step focuses on one decision and gives users just enough context to move forward. Clear CTAs, real numbers, and plain-language explanations replace vague marketing, helping users feel informed and not sold to.
_Final Presentation & Design Prototype
I walked the stakeholder through the challenges we faced, the insights gathered from research, and how these informed my design decisions and user flows. By showcasing key features, prototypes, and the design system, I effectively demonstrated how the app meets user needs and aligns with their vision.
VIEW PRESENTATION
A photo of my presentation to the stakeholder
View presentation
_Feedback
I appreciated how Khanh took a pretty complex process and turned it into something simple and intuitive. I really liked the loan calculator and how she laid out the flow in a way that makes sense. Khanh understood what we were going for and added structure where it was missing. The screens look clean, the experience feels smooth, and the brand feels like us. Great stuff.
Darius Goldman
Founder, Career Bond | Chief Executive Director, Meratas
"In your final presentation, a few things were especially impressive: the way you framed your decisions, clearly, concisely, and with just the right amount of context. You broke your ideas down into thoughtful bits of strategy rather than showing everything all at once, which made the experience smooth and easy to follow.
The design itself struck the right balance between complexity and clarity. It reflects the thesis beautifully, and your visuals were sharp, consistent, and elevated."
Molly Chao
_Takeaways
I learn to move fast and learn faster. Working on this project reinforced the value of rapid iteration. By quickly testing and evolving ideas over three rounds of wireframes, I was able to make clear progress, validate assumptions, and adapt to stakeholder feedback without getting stuck in early decisions.
I learn to anchor features in contraints. Some of my early ideas, like in-flow chat, tested well but didn’t align with the team’s technical capacity. This taught me to prioritize solutions that solve real user problems while staying grounded in what the business can realistically build and support.
