AXIS APP

Project Overview
AXIS is a research-driven platform concept designed to support independent and interdisciplinary scholars seeking meaningful connection, collaboration, and access to shared knowledge. This self-initiated case study applies a full-cycle UX process to address a real-world problem experienced by many globally dispersed thinkers who operate beyond the boundaries of traditional academia. The project was completed as part of a rigorous, mentored UX studio course led by a former IBM UX researcher. While independently executed, it was reviewed through structured critiques that simulated real-world stakeholder engagement.

Role
UX Researcher · Service Designer · Brand Strategist

Timeline
10 weeks
Tools
Google Forms & Sheets · Figma · Miro · Adobe Illustrator · Zoom

Target Users
Educated professionals aged 30–60, globally located. Values included epistemic equity, collaborative research, and intellectual freedom.

Challenge

Many independent and nontraditional scholars—ranging from self-taught researchers to professionals between institutions—face barriers to collaboration, mentorship, and visibility. How might we design a digital platform that supports knowledge exchange, legitimacy, and connection across geographies and disciplines?

Research Approach

  • Survey design and distribution (n ≈ 30)

  • Semi-structured interviews

  • Affinity mapping and manual coding of qualitative data in Miro

  • Thematic synthesis across data sources

  • Persona development (3 total, 1 primary)

  • As-is journey mapping for each persona

  • Pain point clustering and opportunity mapping

Validation & Feedback Loop
Emerging insights were reviewed and refined through mentor critiques and iterative synthesis, simulating stakeholder feedback. I also shared early artifacts with select research participants to inform terminology and flow logic.


Key Insights

  • Scholars crave peer validation and structured mentorship—not just access to content.

  • Institutional gaps leave researchers piecing together fragmented tools.

  • Distrust in traditional academia is growing, but appetite for collaborative, justice-rooted research networks is strong.

  • Trust is built through clarity, usability, and shared values embedded in design.

User Personas

  • Alex (Primary Persona): A 35-year-old autodidact software engineer, isolated and creatively blocked, seeking intellectual collaboration.

  • The Knowledge Seeker: A prospective student seeking alternatives to formal education.

  • The Returning Scholar: A post-graduate professional missing community and visibility.

Each persona reflected users in transition—balancing expertise with a desire for meaningful exchange and collective support.

Journey Mapping

I created three as-is journey maps to visualize user needs, barriers, and emotional states. Common themes included:

  • Lack of community and intellectual stimulation

  • Disconnection between platforms, tools, and networks

  • Unclear pathways for long-term scholarly visibility

These maps shaped the structure of the platform and informed core interaction flows.


Design Process


Brand Development
I created the AXIS brand identity to reflect structured, decolonial knowledge exchange and cultural inclusivity.

UI Style Guide

  • Modular grid system

  • High-contrast, accessible palette

  • Clean, legible type hierarchy

  • Multilingual font support

UX & Interaction Design

  • 8 key screens covering onboarding, matching, and collaboration rooms

  • Wireframes and user flows built and refined in Figma

  • Clickable prototype with demo video

Solution

AXIS is a centralized, values-driven platform where users can:

  • Showcase research and independent projects

  • Connect with peers via topic-based cohorts

  • Access curated resources (grants, tools, events)

  • Build long-term visibility in a global scholarly network

The platform emphasizes simplicity, searchability, and design clarity—tailored for independent scholars across the world.

Outcomes

  • Lead rigorous, equity-centered UX research from framing through synthesis

  • Translate complex user needs into actionable product and service features

  • Design accessible, intuitive systems grounded in strategic design thinking

  • Create holistic user experiences that bridge content, community, and platform logic

  • Deliver functional prototypes and compelling artifacts under realistic constraints

Next Steps

  • Usability testing and iterative validation of flows

  • Community governance models and moderation design

  • AI-supported peer matching and trust systems

  • Integration with platforms like Humanities Commons or ResearchGate


Next

BRAND | UI | STRATEGY