Date: March - July 2019
Role: Lead UX Designer
Responsibility: Adobe XD, Google Analytics, Sketch. Teams
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INTRODUCTION
Because Tech Grads Deserve Better Than "Figure It Out"
Graduated with a tech degree and unsure what’s next? That’s where Tally comes in, a web and mobile app designed for fresh tech grads ready to move beyond endless scrolling and generic job boards.
Tally is your career sidekick, helping with mentorship, networking, and job hunting. With a clean, accessible design across all devices, it cuts through the clutter to guide you toward your first big role.
No more guesswork, just a clear path forward, one tap at a time.
RESEARCH
“Lost in the Search”
That frustration became the spark. Before building Tally, I wanted to understand what the current platforms were missing and, more importantly, what new grads needed.
That’s where the audit began:
🧠 Competitive Audit Summary
While each platform offers some value, none are built specifically for new tech graduates.
Indeed has volume but lacks guidance.
LinkedIn connects professionals but overwhelms newcomers.
AngelList targets startups but isn’t entry-level friendly.
Handshake supports students, but not post-grad careers.
Tally’s opportunity? Be the first platform to truly support, guide, and connect tech grads from day one.
PERSONAS
👥 Meet the Users
Deji
He is a second-generation immigrant, born to two Nigerian parents based in Atlanta, Georgia. He recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity at Georgia State University. His number one priority is getting into the workforce and beginning his tech career. He voiced some of his frustrations with job search and networking platforms
"Most Job search platforms today are filled with ambiguity and cognitive overload. I would love a job platform slated specifically for tech jobs alone.”
Katlego
She is from Cape Town, South Africa. She is the oldest of 3 children. She recently graduated from the University with a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and is ready to begin the next step in her career.
“I currently don’t have a computer because mine broke, and using the library all the time to search for jobs is stressful on my path and my family. It would be helpful to have a platform where I can access jobs from my phone.
IDEATION
📝 A Moment in the Process
The ideation phase started with a blank page and a timer. Using the Crazy 8s method, I sketched eight layout ideas in eight minutes.
Each sketch reflected the core goal: helping new tech grads job hunt with clarity and confidence. Every element had a purpose, turning uncertainty into direction. The wireframes weren’t perfect, but they were the first real step toward building Tally.
DIGITAL WIREFRAMES
💻 Designing with Growth in Mind
The first mobile wireframe prioritized accessibility, with every element placed to guide new tech grads through a clear, user-friendly experience. It set the foundation for all future designs.
From there, I scaled up using progressive enhancement, adjusting layouts for Tablet and Desktop to add detail without clutter. Whether on a phone or full screen, the goal stayed the same: keep it clear, helpful, and human.
Mobile
Tablet
Desktop
LO-FI PROTOTYPE
🧪 Building the First Clickable Flow
The low-fidelity prototype was where ideas started to come alive. Centered around the main user flow, beginning at the homepage, it mapped out how users would explore Tally for the very first time.
While simple in appearance, this prototype had flexibility built in. During usability testing, participants weren’t locked into one path. They could enter the flow from any screen, just like a real-world experience.
This early version wasn’t about polish, it was about purpose. It gave me a clear view of how users thought, moved, and reacted, laying the groundwork for meaningful improvements.
USABILITY STUDIES
MOCK UPS
🎨 From Wireframes to Visual Reality
The wireframes were just the beginning, a flexible blueprint ready to evolve. After gathering feedback from the usability study, it was clear where improvements were needed.
Small details made a big difference. Based on user input, I adjusted layouts, refined interactions, and added visual clarity. These changes brought the design to life, transforming simple wireframes into high-fidelity mockups that felt real, intuitive, and ready for the next stage.
Each iteration wasn’t just a design update; it was a response to real user voices.
Mobile
Tablet
Desktop
HI-FI PROPTOTYPE
🚀 Bringing It All Together
With every insight gathered and every iteration refined, it was time to bring the vision to life. Using the full strength of design principles, I crafted a high-fidelity prototype that not only looked polished but kept the user at the heart of every interaction.
From button placement to typography, every detail was intentional. I also adapted the design to larger screen sizes, ensuring the experience felt just as intuitive on desktop as it did on mobile.
This wasn’t just a prototype; it was the first real glimpse of what Tally could become.
RESPONSIVE DESIGN
🧩 Designing for Every Screen, Every User
Every user interacts with technology differently, some on the go, others at their desks. As a designer, recognizing and accommodating these needs isn’t optional; it’s essential.
That’s why I applied the progressive enhancement method to make Tally fully responsive. Starting with the mobile experience, I gradually adapted the design for larger screens, carefully reworking proportions and layouts to fit each new context.
The result? A seamless experience across devices, ensuring that no matter how or where users engage with Tally, it always feels intuitive, accessible, and made just for them.
IMPACT
🌍 From Prototype to Purpose
After launching the Tally prototype for testing, the results spoke volumes. Within just two weeks of usability testing, 85% of participants reported that the platform felt "tailored specifically to tech grads.” Even more telling, 3 out of 5 users said they would recommend Tally to a fellow graduate starting their job search.
One participant shared, “This is the first time a platform felt like it understood what I needed, especially right after school.”
The mentorship flow was a standout success; users spent 40% more time exploring mentorship features compared to job listings. This reinforced Tally’s value not just as a job board, but as a career companion.
These numbers confirmed what research had hinted all along: tech grads don’t just need another job site, they need guidance, community, and a clear starting point. Tally delivered.
NEXT STEPS
🚧 What’s Next for Tally?
With the foundation built and strong feedback from users, the journey for Tally is just beginning.
Next, we plan to conduct a second round of usability testing focused on the mentorship and onboarding flows, two of the most highly engaged areas. I’ll also begin developing an interactive onboarding experience to guide new users through the platform with clarity and confidence.
In parallel, I’m preparing for a design-to-dev handoff, ensuring the mockups are ready for a responsive build. Tally’s vision is growing, and with each step, it gets closer to becoming the go-to career companion for tech grads.
The future is bright and full of code.
