Beta-Stage App concept for Creatives
UX RESEARCH CASE STUDY | UNDER HER EMPIRE
Product & Usability Researcher
User Interviews
Data Synthesis
Product Strategy
SCOPE OF WORK
May 26th - July 18th, 2025
Review prototype
1 week
Discussion guide development
1 week
Recruitment
1 week
Kickoff meeting
JUNE
JULY
Moderated interviews
2 weeks
Analysis & Reporting
3 weeks
ESTABLISHED SOLUTION
Oasis is a beta-stage app concept envisioned as a modern, emotionally resonant space where creatives can express themselves, build community, and grow.
MY ROLE
I evaluated Oasis’s core user flows to uncover friction across flows, clarify navigation and interactions, and recommend usability improvements.
Led moderated usability testing sessions
Developed the research discussion guide
Synthesized qualitative insights into key themes
Collaborated with cross-functional team members to inform design decisions
THE PROCESS
The process included n=4 moderated usability sessions with target users, combining interviews, task-based testing, and behavioral observation. During each session, I gathered qualitative feedback, observed how users completed key actions, and identified hesitation points across the experience. After testing, I synthesized patterns into core themes, key needs, and actionable recommendations for the product team.
FINDINGS
Navigation lacked clarity
Users approached the platform cautiously, often relying on trial-and-error to move between sections. Inconsistent navigation patterns and limited feedback reduced confidence during exploration.
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KEY NEEDS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Clearer guidance
Users needed stronger direction across onboarding, navigation, and project creation.
Recommendation: Create more consistent pathways, guided steps, and clearer feedback so users know where they are, what to do next, and when an action is complete.
Greater collaboration transparency
Users needed more visibility into how collaboration features worked, including roles, permissions, and shared interactions.
Recommendation: Make ownership, visibility, and permissions more explicit to build trust and help users feel confident working with others.
Balanced exploration and structure
Users valued the flexibility of the platform, but too much ambiguity led to trial-and-error and reliance on the AI chat as a workaround.
Recommendation: Support open-ended exploration while adding clearer labels, tooltips, and UI states to make complex actions easier to understand.
IMPACT & REFLECTION
The research I completed informed improvements to Oasis’s navigation, onboarding flow, and collaboration experience, helping the team prioritize clarity, trust, and usability in future iterations.
This project reinforced the concept that early-stage products need clear guidance and feedback. When users are unsure how a system works, they create workarounds. For collaborative tools especially, intuitive design depends on transparent interactions, visible feedback, and experiences that help users feel confident working with others.
Have questions or want to hear more about my contribution to this project? I’m happy to discuss additional details — within NDA compliance — in a one-on-one conversation.