Purdue OUR
Purdue OUR Research Skills Visualization
Final Figma Prototype
Project Overview
The Purdue Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) identified a need to help student researchers better recognize, articulate, and showcase the skills they develop through research. Our team designed a static and interactive visualization to help students connect their research experiences to professional skills, improving their ability to market themselves for jobs, internships, and graduate programs.
My Role
I played a key role in user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing, ensuring that the final visualizations effectively addressed student needs. Additionally, I contributed to refining the interactive design system based on iterative feedback.
The Challenge
Many students struggle to identify and communicate the skills they develop through research, making it difficult for them to translate these experiences into career opportunities. The goal was to create a clear, engaging, and informative visualization that helps students recognize their competencies and understand how they align with professional pathways.
Process & Key Takeaways
Research & Discovery
-
Conducted user interviews and workshops with Purdue undergraduate researchers to understand skill recognition challenges.
​
-
Reviewed existing career competency frameworks (NACE competencies, Purdue LEAD, University Core Curriculum).
​
-
Explored best practices in data visualization to determine effective ways to present research skills.
Ideation & Wireframing
-
Created low-fidelity sketches and affinity diagrams to categorize key research competencies.
​
-
Explored multiple visualization methods, including word clouds, iconography, and branched bubble maps.
​
-
Developed static wireframes in Figma, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and ease of use.
Prototyping & Testing
-
Designed a high-fidelity interactive prototype, incorporating skill descriptions, real-world applications, and learning opportunities.
​
-
Conducted A/B testing with Purdue students to refine layout, content, and interactivity.
​
-
Implemented feedback to enhance visual appeal, usability, and information hierarchy.
My Role
-
Conducted user interviews with undergrad researchers to understand needs around skill representation
​
-
Facilitated participatory design workshops to co-create initial design concepts
​
-
Designed static and interactive visualizations in Figma
​
-
Led usability testing and iterated the interface based on feedback from real student users
Final Outcome
The final solution includes both static and interactive visualizations to help student researchers understand and communicate their competencies. Key features include:
Before
-
Undergraduate researchers had no clear or visual way to showcase their skills and experiences outside of a resume.
​
-
There was no structured tool to help students track skill development or reflect on their growth.
​
-
Students lacked direction on what competencies to build during research experiences.
​
-
Faculty and external stakeholders found it difficult to assess a student's capabilities at a glance.
After
-
Designed an interactive, user-informed visualization tool to map research skills clearly and engagingly.
​
-
Used feedback from workshops and usability tests to refine layout, information flow, and usability.
​
-
Helped students identify skill gaps and better communicate their growth in academic and professional settings.
​
-
Provided faculty with a simplified way to evaluate student involvement and progress.
Reflection & Learnings
1
Bridging Research & Career Development
Designing a tool that connects research experiences to professional skills reinforced the importance of career-oriented UX design.
2
User-Centered Iteration
Through usability testing, I saw firsthand how small design changes (e.g., icon positioning, hover interactions) significantly improve clarity and engagement.
3
Simplifying Complexity
Presenting abstract research competencies in an intuitive, digestible format was a valuable challenge in information design.
Next Steps
Conduct additional usability testing to refine navigation and interactivity.
Develop a mobile-responsive version to increase accessibility across devices.
Explore integration into Purdue’s Career Center and OUR website for broader impact.
This project deepened my understanding of educational UX design and data visualization, reinforcing my passion for creating solutions that bridge the gap between learning and career success.
