Industry
Industry
Edtech
Edtech
Client
Client
National Cheng Kung Uni.
National Cheng Kung Uni.
Platform
Platform
SaaS Platform
SaaS Platform
NCKU PASS
NCKU PASS
One Platform for Every Experience That Matters
One Platform for Every Experience That Matters
NCKU PASS is an on-campus SaaS platform that helps students consolidate academic and extracurricular experiences for job and graduate school applications.
As the second-generation UI Designer on this project, I led the platform modernization by establishing a comprehensive design system and driving cross-functional collaboration. I partnered with UX Research to identify and prioritize high-impact features based on user needs.
NCKU PASS is an on-campus SaaS platform that helps students consolidate academic and extracurricular experiences for job and graduate school applications.
As the second-generation UI Designer on this project, I led the platform modernization by establishing a comprehensive design system and driving cross-functional collaboration. I partnered with UX Research to identify and prioritize high-impact features based on user needs.
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
2022-2023
(Contracted Project)
2022-2023
(Contracted Project)
TEAM
TEAM
PM, Front-end Engineer
Back-end Engineer & Marketing
PM, Front-end Engineer
Back-end Engineer & Marketing
ROLE
ROLE
UI Designer
(UX Support)
UI Designer
(UX Support)
SKILLS
SKILLS
Figma, Design Guidelines &
Responsive Web Design
Figma, Design Guidelines &
Responsive Web Design
CLIENT'S PROBLEMS
01
Outdated Platform Interface
Outdated Platform Interface
The university's existing system was outdated and rarely used.
The university's existing system was outdated and rarely used.
02
Low Platform Adoption
Low Platform Adoption
Despite its career preparation value, the system saw minimal student
engagement, with most experiences going unrecorded.
Despite its career preparation value, the system saw minimal student
engagement, with most experiences going unrecorded.
BEFORE
AFTER
USER'S POTENTIAL PAIN-POINTS
Students spend significant time gathering scattered experiences for applications
Students spend significant time gathering scattered experiences for applications
We found that when preparing for internships or jobs, students spend significant time gathering scattered information across university portals, emails, and personal notes. This fragmented process leads to overlooked
experiences and incomplete portfolios, preventing them from showcasing their full potential.
We found that when preparing for internships or jobs, students spend significant time gathering scattered information across university portals, emails, and personal notes. This fragmented process leads to overlooked
experiences and incomplete portfolios, preventing them from showcasing their full potential.
💭
How might we help college students efficiently organize and review their experiences for future applications?
How might we help college students efficiently organize and review their experiences for future applications?
OPPORTUNITIES
OPPORTUNITIES
After identifying the gap between student needs and the existing platform, we proposed a comprehensive redesign to address these challenges.
After identifying the gap between student needs and the existing platform, we proposed a comprehensive redesign to address these challenges.
UX
Conducted user research to deeply understand pain points
UX
Implemented new features to increase student adoption and engagement
UI
Redesigned the platform with a cleaner, more intuitive interface
VALIDATION
195
Surveys
04
Interviews
We conducted user research with 4 in-depth interviews and a survey of 195 students to understand their career planning behaviors and experience prioritization patterns, informing our feature prioritization and design decisions.
We conducted user research with 4 in-depth interviews and a survey of 195 students to understand their career planning behaviors and experience prioritization patterns, informing our feature prioritization and design decisions.
Based on our research findings, we developed two primary personas representing key user segments and identity their pain-points when preparing for applications:
Based on our research findings, we developed two primary personas representing key user segments and identity their pain-points when preparing for applications:
1️⃣
Students with Clear Direction
Students with Clear Direction
Clear career goals
Major-focused
Graduate school-bound
Clear career goals
Major-focused
Graduate school-bound
2️⃣
Students in Active Exploration
Students in Active Exploration
Still exploring
Seeking diverse experiences to define direction
Still exploring
Seeking diverse experiences to define direction
PAINPOINTS & OPPORTUNITIES
01
Scattered Records
Fragmented information storage
Fear of missing important details
Data Integration
Automated sync with university systems information storage
Manual input for external activities and projects
02
Fading Memories
Difficulty recalling key learnings and reflections
Reflective Experience Tracking
Structured reflection templates
Time-stamped learning records
03
Unclear Value
Difficulty identifying and articulating skills
Unclear which experiences matter for target roles
Smart Tagging
Tag-based categorization system
Transferable skills mapping
Quick filtering by competency
04
Repetitive Work
High effort required to manage and customize multiple applications
Theme-Based Portfolio Builder
Automated sync with university systems information storage
Manual input for external activities and projects
VISUAL & UI
BETA TESTING
From Avoiding to Recommending
From Avoiding to Recommending
We conducted beta testing with 15 students (freshmen to senior) and gathered the following feedback:
We conducted beta testing with 15 students (freshmen to senior) and gathered the following feedback:
4.2／5
Continued Use Intent
Continued Use Intent
4.0／5
Recommendation Intent
Recommendation Intent
87% of students expressed willingness to continue using the platform
67% of students would recommend to peers
Zero Negative Reviews: No students gave extremely low ratings
72% user satisfaction with the redesigned interface, highlighting improved intuitiveness and usability
87% of students expressed willingness to continue using the platform
67% of students would recommend to peers
Zero Negative Reviews: No students gave extremely low ratings
72% user satisfaction with the redesigned interface, highlighting improved intuitiveness and usability
“I think this platform is very helpful for students writing their resumes 👍🏻”
“I think this platform is very helpful for students writing their resumes 👍🏻”
— Junior, Foreign Languages and Literature
— Junior, Foreign Languages and Literature
"Being able to directly import school data is very convenient! The interface is clean and easy to use—it really helps me organize my past experiences."
"Being able to directly import school data is very convenient! The interface is clean and easy to use—it really helps me organize my past experiences."
— Senior, Psychology
— Senior, Psychology
RESULT
Building on this positive reception, NCKU PASS was officially integrated
into the university's digital infrastructure in 2024, becoming the official tool for student experience management and accessible through the main university portal. (🔗News Link)
Building on this positive reception, NCKU PASS was officially integrated into the university's digital infrastructure in 2024, becoming the official tool for student experience management and accessible through the main university portal. (🔗News Link)
LEARNINGS
Validate Assumptions
with Research
Working with UX research revealed that assumptions often differ from real user needs. This experience reinforced my commitment to user-centered, data-driven design.
Working with UX research revealed that assumptions often differ from real user needs. This experience reinforced my commitment to user-centered, data-driven design.
Prioritize Impact Under Constraints
Working under limited resources taught me that effective design requires strategic prioritization. I learned to balance user impact, technical feasibility, and timeline to deliver the most valuable solutions.
Working under limited resources taught me that effective design requires strategic prioritization. I learned to balance user impact, technical feasibility, and timeline to deliver the most valuable solutions.
Design Through Collaboration
Collaborating with developers and marketing expanded how I approach design. It taught me to consider technical feasibility and product adoption, not just the interface itself.
Collaborating with developers and marketing expanded how I approach design. It taught me to consider technical feasibility and product adoption, not just the interface itself.
Thank you for reading.
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