The National Institute of The Deaf
The Journey
Empathize
User interviews
Stakeholder conversations
Surveys and feedback analysis
Reviewing existing product insights and metrics
Role: UI/UX Designer
Scope: Web application, Mobile adaptation, Admin dashboard
Timeline: 2022 - revisited 2024
Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Prototype testing
Define
Persona development
Problem statement creation
Competitive analysis
User journey mapping
Structure
Information architecture
User flow mapping
Concept sketching
Low-fidelity wireframes
Design
Wireframes and mockups
High-fidelity UI design
Interactive prototypes
Visual system refinement
Refine
Usability testing
Feedback synthesis
Iteration and optimization
Interaction refinement
Empathy
The first thing I learned: accessibility isn’t a feature. It’s the product.
To understand where things were breaking down, I spoke with stakeholders and reviewed the existing platform.
It became clear pretty quickly: the content was valuable, but the experience made it harder than it should be to learn.
That insight shaped the goal — remove friction, and let the learning come first.
Define
After immersing myself in the experiences of Deaf learners and stakeholders, I synthesized my findings to define the core problems and identify meaningful opportunities for improvement. This phase established a clear foundation for the design direction.
Structure
The Dirty Work
After defining the core problem and user needs, I mapped the product’s information architecture and user flows to ensure a clear, intuitive learning journey.
This phase focused on organizing content logically, simplifying navigation, and designing a structured progression model that supports independent SASL learning. By outlining key pathways — from signing in to a seamless learning experience for all — I ensured the experience was visually clear, accessible, and easy to navigate.
The following diagrams and wireframes illustrate how the platform’s foundation was shaped before moving into high-fidelity design.
