What is Crossingz?
What is Crossingz?
Crossingz is a networking app designed to help Gen Z build professional connections. When I joined the startup, the original UX design wasn't developed yet, and the founder wanted UX designers to update the UI to fit Gen Z's preferences.


Extra irrelevant information


Overwhelming main features


Complex referral program
The Problem
As I delved deeper into the app, I realized that the issues extended beyond an outdated UI design. Its complex functions, including eight main features and a referral program, resulting following problems:
increased the app’s complexity
disrupted Gen Z’s networking experience
complicated the development process, at least 4 months
The Problem
As I delved deeper into the app, I realized that the issues extended beyond an outdated UI design. Its complex functions, including eight main features and a referral program, resulting following problems:
increased the app’s complexity
disrupted Gen Z’s networking experience
complicated the development process, at least 4 months


Extra irrelevant information


Overwhelming main features


Complex referral program
Feature 3: Improve networking by AI


Before
Through heuristic evaluation, I discover there are some potential issues:
The button like “report”, “view full profile”, and “unmatch” are too close to each other, might causing issue of misclicking.
Users are less likely to recommend the user to friend or introduce a friend to this user. The recommend button is not effective to use
It is difficult to break the ice


After
Improvement✨:
We provide the AI chat suggestion to help them find common topic and break the ice, to make the conversation more smooth.
Before


Feature 4: Join group chat to discover more common topics


After
The new user flow guides users to join the group chat after joining the event. This approach offers several benefits:
Users won't need to switch between multiple platforms, which can improve customer retention.
It allows for smoother and more reliable conversations and connections within the group chat.

After

After
Design system
Results



Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect
cguochenxi@gmail.com
Linkedin ->

Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect
cguochenxi@gmail.com
Linkedin ->
The Problem
As I delved deeper into the app, I realized that the issues extended beyond an outdated UI design. Its complex functions, including eight main features and a referral program, resulting following problems:
increased the app’s complexity
disrupted Gen Z’s networking experience
complicated the development process, at least 4 months

How might we streamline and improve the professional connection experience tailored to Gen Z’s needs?
How might we streamline and improve the professional connection experience tailored to Gen Z’s needs?
Design Question
How might we streamline and improve the user experience to for professional connection tailored to Gen Z’s needs?
How might we streamline and improve the user experience to for professional connection tailored to Gen Z’s needs?
How might we streamline and improve the user experience to for professional connection tailored to Gen Z’s needs?
Design Question
Design Question
Design Question
The Solution
The Solution
We conduct user research to prioritize main functions into 3, simplify the user flow for onboarding, improve the user connect and chat function, improve visual UI and branding.
Impact









User Research
Usability testing about old version
I first contact founders to prioritize the key function of this redesigned APP, then conducted unmoderated usability testing online to 5 users, to finish following tasks:
sign up a new account
build connection and start chat with others
evaluate the effectiveness of the app to help them finding a job
Usability testing about old version
I first contact founders to prioritize the key function of this redesigned APP, then conducted unmoderated usability testing online to 5 users, to finish following tasks:
sign up a new account
build connection and start chat with others
evaluate the effectiveness of the app to help them finding a job
Synthesizing
In order to deep understand Gen Z users, we synthesize information from usability testing into persona.



Synthesizing
In order to deep understand Gen Z users, we synthesize information from usability testing into persona.
User Research
Usability testing about old version
I first contact founders to prioritize the key function of this redesigned APP, then conducted unmoderated usability testing online to 5 users, to finish following tasks:
sign up a new account
build connection and start chat with others
evaluate the effectiveness of the app to help them finding a job
Key Findings
Key Findings












Information Architecture
Information Architecture



Iteration
Feature 1: UI & branding upgrade
We first completed the founder's request to redesign the color palette and simplify the logo, making it more youthful and engaging

App design
Before


Gif for website
App logo

App design
After


App design
Before



Gif for website

Gif for website
App logo


App design
After
Iteration
Feature 1: UI & branding upgrade
We first completed the founder's request to redesign the color palette and simplify the logo, making it more youthful and engaging
Feature 2: Onboarding
Feature 2: Onboarding
Old Workflow
Old Workflow






Current workflow ask too many detailed formal information, but Gen Z is less likely to trust this platform and willing to fill in personal info.
Our target users typically have less than 5 years of experience. Asking them to fill in too much information can be overwhelming and stressful for them.
Current workflow ask too many detailed formal information, but Gen Z is less likely to trust this platform and willing to fill in personal info.
Our target users typically have less than 5 years of experience. Asking them to fill in too much information can be overwhelming and stressful for them.
New Workflow
New Workflow







Less information required about work experience.
Users can upload a website, resume, LinkedIn ID, or GitHub link—any of these can be proof of their work.
Less information required about work experience.
Users can upload a website, resume, LinkedIn ID, or GitHub link—any of these can be proof of their work.
Feature 3: Improve networking by AI

Before
Through heuristic evaluation, I discover there are some potential issues:
The button like “report”, “view full profile”, and “unmatch” are too close to each other, might causing issue of misclicking.
Users are less likely to recommend the user to friend or introduce a friend to this user. The recommend button is not effective to use
It is difficult to break the ice

After
Improvement✨:
We provide the AI chat suggestion to help them find common topic and break the ice, to make the conversation more smooth.
Feature 4: Join group chat to discover more common topics
Feature 4: Add group chat to discover more common topics


Before
In the old work flow, users are less likely to networking because it is not very natural to start conversation.

After
The new user flow guides users to join the group chat after joining the event. This approach offers several benefits:
Users won't need to switch between multiple platforms, which can improve customer retention.
It allows for smoother and more reliable conversations and connections within the group chat.
Design system

After
Clickable Prototypes

After
Clickable Prototypes
Results


Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect
cguochenxi@gmail.com

Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect
cguochenxi@gmail.com
Crossingz: GenZ Networking App
Crossingz: GenZ Networking App
Crossingz: GenZ Networking App
Crossingz: GenZ Networking App




Overview
Overview
Redesign the APP and successfully launched MVP in APP store. I focused on streamlining the UX workflow, upgrading the branding, reduce the development time by 50%.
→ Download the App
My role
My role
My role
UI/UX designer, Wireframing, Usability testing
UI/UX designer
Wireframing
Usability testing
UI/UX designer, Wireframing, Usability testing
Teams
Teams
Teams
2 Designers, 1 PM, 1 Engineer
2 Designers
1 PM, 1 Engineer
2 Designers, 1 PM, 1 Engineer
Duration
Duration
Duration
Mar - July 2024
Mar - July 2024
Mar - July 2024
Tools
Tools
Tools
Figma, Adobe Ae
Figma, Adobe Ae
Figma, Adobe Ae

After

After
User Research
Usability testing about old version
I first contact founders to prioritize the key function of this redesigned APP, then conducted unmoderated usability testing online to 5 users, to finish following tasks:
sign up a new account
build connection and start chat with others
evaluate the effectiveness of the app to help them finding a job
Synthesizing
In order to deep understand Gen Z users, we synthesize information from usability testing into persona.


Key Findings






Information Architecture


Iteration
Feature 1: UI & branding upgrade
We first completed the founder's request to redesign the color palette and simplify the logo, making it more youthful and engaging


App design
Before



Gif for website

Gif for website
App logo


App design
After
Feature 2: Onboarding
Old Workflow




New Workflow






Less information required about work experience.
Users can upload a website, resume, LinkedIn ID, or GitHub link—any of these can be proof of their work.
Feature 3: Improve networking by AI


Before
Through heuristic evaluation, I discover there are some potential issues:
The button like “report”, “view full profile”, and “unmatch” are too close to each other, might causing issue of misclicking.
Users are less likely to recommend the user to friend or introduce a friend to this user. The recommend button is not effective to use
It is difficult to break the ice


After
Improvement✨:
We provide the AI chat suggestion to help them find common topic and break the ice, to make the conversation more smooth.
Feature 4: Add group chat to discover more common topics


Before
In the old work flow, users are less likely to networking because it is not very natural to start conversation.


After
The new user flow guides users to join the group chat after joining the event. This approach offers several benefits:
Users won't need to switch between multiple platforms, which can improve customer retention.
It allows for smoother and more reliable conversations and connections within the group chat.
Design system

After
Clickable Prototypes

After
Clickable Prototypes
Results



Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect
cguochenxi@gmail.com

Let’s connect!✨
Thanks for visiting me website! If you are interested in any project, feel free to connect me to discuss more.
Connect