Shades 🕶️

shades

PROJECT: SHADES

ROLE: PRODUCT DESIGN

DURATION: 3 MONTHS

shades

PROJECT: SHADES

ROLE: PRODUCT DESIGN

DURATION: 3 MONTHS

shades

PROJECT: SHADES

ROLE: PRODUCT DESIGN

DURATION: 3 MONTHS

.01

Overview

I joined Shades after identifying UX issues in their feed: the experience was noisy, hard to scan, and overwhelming

for users. In my application, I outlined a redesign strategy, and was hired to bring it to life. My work directly

addressed those issues, resulting in a refined feed layout that prioritized content hierarchy and accessibility.

Though Shades shut down before the full rollout, this project sharpened my ability to lead redesigns, work cross-

functionally, and design for real-world constraints. The lack of metrics didn’t lessen the impact — it taught me how

to focus on problem framing, decision-making, and design rationale under startup pressure.

.01

objective

Overview

I joined Shades after identifying UX issues in their feed: the

experience was noisy, hard to scan, and overwhelming for users. In

my application, I outlined a redesign strategy, and was hired to

bring it to life. My work directly addressed those issues, resulting

in a refined feed layout that prioritized content hierarchy and

accessibility.Though Shades shut down before the full rollout, this

project sharpened my ability to lead redesigns, work cross-

functionally, and design for real-world constraints. The lack of

metrics didn’t lessen the impact — it taught me how to focus

on problem framing, decision-making, and design rationale under

startup pressure.

Glühen is a speculative UX case study that

Objective

Could we make controlling lights as seamless as flipping a

switch—without touching anything at all? Glühen explores how to

reduce friction in smart lighting through spatial design and

natural gestures, offering an alternative to today's text-heavy

apps.

.01

Overview

I joined Shades after identifying UX issues in

their feed: the experience was noisy, hard to

scan, and overwhelming for users. In my

application, I outlined a redesign strategy,

and was hired to bring it to life. My work

directly addressed those issues, resulting in a

refined feed layout that prioritized content

hierarchy and accessibility.Though Shades shut

down before the full rollout, this project

sharpened my ability to lead redesigns, work

cross- functionally, and design for real-world

constraints. The lack of metrics didn’t lessen

the impact — it taught me how to focus on

problem framing, decision-making, and design

rationale under startup pressure.

.02

What I Did

Audited the app and pitched a redesign strategy as part of my application — this critique led to me being hired.

• Audited the app and pitched a redesign strategy as part of my application — this critique led to me being hired.

Designed and prototyped a new Stories Entry Hook that encourages engagement with a swipe-through story format, beginning with video and ending in optional polls.

• Designed and prototyped a new Stories Entry Hook that encourages engagement with a swipe-through story format, beginning with video and ending in optional polls.

Built lo-fi and hi-fi wireframes in Figma, and mapped interaction flow for the new stories experience.

• Built lo-fi and hi-fi wireframes in Figma, and mapped interaction flow for the new stories experience.

Conducted usability tests and refined layout and interaction details based on qualitative feedback.

• Conducted usability tests and refined layout and interaction details based on qualitative feedback.

Ensured design decisions were aligned with Shades’ tone, prioritizing clarity, retention, and real-time content pacing.

• Ensured design decisions were aligned with Shades’ tone, prioritizing clarity, retention, and real-time content pacing.

.02

pain points