MGC Sync redesign

MGCSync.com, launched in 2017 by Professor Denise Anderson and students from the Michael Graves College at Kean University, is a platform designed to showcase student portfolios and foster meaningful connections. By introducing students to recruiters, industry professionals, and alumni, the site helps uncover opportunities for employment, internships, and freelance work.

THE BRIEF

How might we increase students chances of securing meaningful internships and work both before and after graduation?

  
TEAM

Small team of four design students selected from the Robert Busch School of Design at Kean University
  
MY ROLE 

In January 2020, I was selected by Professor Anderson to lead UX improvements for the website. Collaborating with a four-person team, I conducted research, prototyped, and designed a new layout for developer handoff—owning the research, UX/UI design, and strategic direction.
  
TOOLS 

Figma, G Suite, Squarespace, Visual Studio Code

  
    Vision

   I collaborated with a small team to envision a digital networking platform where design students could showcase their work, skills, and professional value. To align our direction, I created a strategy canvas that clarified goals and guided platform objectives.

  
    Comparative research

   We researched comparable platforms and found no direct competitors. However, LinkedIn, Dribbble, DeviantArt, and Behance all offer networking and portfolio features. We analyzed their strengths and gaps to inform our design approach.

User research

To better understand faculty perspectives on the current MGC Sync website, we conducted interviews with ten members of Michael Graves College. Discussion questions focused on usability, feature prioritization, and comparable platforms.

Sample questions included:

What’s most appealing about the MGC Sync website?
What’s the hardest part about using it?
Are any features more important than others?
Do you know of similar platforms?
If you could change one thing, what would it be and why?

Insights

I created a shared Google Spreadsheet to log responses and synthesize findings at the end of the research phase.

Key takeaways:

1. Showcase student work: Faculty emphasized the importance of highlighting student and graduate projects to attract prospective students and support job placement.

2. Improve navigation: Navigation was a consistent pain point, highlighting the need for a more intuitive layout and improved filter system.

"How might we..."

To kickstart brainstorming, we drafted “How might we” questions that reframed design challenges as opportunities for impact.

How might we improve MGC Sync so more students can secure internships and jobs?

We saw potential to enhance the platform’s functionality by making it easier for students to create personalized profiles—tools for self-promotion and building meaningful networks with alumni and professionals.

Approach: We pursued an inclusive design solution that supports diverse users while tailoring the experience for students showcasing their work. We also prioritized discoverability, making it easier for recruiters to find qualified candidates.

How might we make the platform easier to navigate so users can find what they need?

User interviews revealed consistent frustration around site navigation, especially when searching for specific student types.

Approach: We analyzed recruiter workflows—such as finding a senior qualified for a UX internship—and reduced friction by streamlining steps. A dynamic filter system was introduced to surface the most relevant profiles based on search criteria.

Brainstorming sessions

Initial planning involved a collaborative whiteboarding session to explore content structure and navigation for the future MGC Sync website. Concepts for new features, including a showcase page, student awards, and individual profiles, were also mapped out.

  
Defining the flow

I helped define user journeys around current and future platform capabilities, ensuring the prototype supported diverse use cases across desktop and mobile experiences.

Early wireframes

Guided by research insights and refined use cases, I explored content organization strategies for the platform. During this phase, I focused on front-end wireframes while my teammates concentrated on back-end architecture.

  
Final website designs

The final designs present a streamlined, student-focused platform with customizable profiles, intuitive filters for recruiters, and a showcase page for standout work. Each decision was shaped by user research and faculty input, with clarity and accessibility at the core.

  
Project outcomes 

Over several weeks, our team conducted user interviews and translated research insights into iterative wireframes, high-fidelity designs, and interactive prototypes for both front and back end experiences. Each experience was tailored to users’ goals and workflows.

 The front-end experience was designed to support four key user groups:

1.
Students and recent graduates

2.
Faculty members

3.
Recruiters and industry professionals

4.
Prospective students

The back end focused on students and recent graduates, providing streamlined tools for managing profiles, applications, and career resources.

What I learned 

This project strengthened my ability to quickly adapt to new tools and establish efficient, scalable workflows as our team transitioned to Figma from Sketch and Adobe XD. I learned how to leverage collaborative design systems and real-time feedback to accelerate iteration and maintain quality.  

I also developed stronger leadership and collaboration skills by facilitating regular check-ins, aligning on priorities, and navigating trade-offs to deliver user-centered solutions that balanced usability, feasibility, and long-term impact.

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