Adam Downie
HUman-Centered Design & Research Thinking
Every interface tells a story — I design mine to listen first.
From research to prototyping, I believe in building with users, not just for them. When the data speaks, I pivot. When the goal is connection, design becomes the bridge.
About me
I’m Adam Downie — a designer driven by curiosity, connection, and a genuine desire to help people. I come to UX design with a deep love for learning from people, whether it’s through structured research or a spontaneous conversation while traveling the world. I believe good design starts with understanding — and I’m always looking for ways to make technology more approachable and human-centered. Outside of design, you’ll probably find me kicking around a soccer ball, playing drums, or falling deep into a research rabbit hole just for the joy of figuring something out. For me, design is about building tools that help people move forward — and learning from every perspective along the way.
My Design Philosophy
A Fresh Perspective
UX & Visual Interface Design has been a breath of fresh air to discover — something I can now pursue professionally after years of engaging with it as a personal curiosity and creative outlet.
Thought as a Laboratory
I’m always thinking, always processing — what I like to call my laboratory of ideas.
At the heart of those thoughts is one question:
How do we genuinely invest in people who are constantly interacting with the digital tools in front of them?
Where Art Meets Function
To me, UX and interface design represent a critical intersection between art, design, and understanding — from commercial software to the phones in our pockets. I’ve personally experienced the frustration of navigating platforms that feel overly complex or simply confusing.
Tools Should Empower, Not Obstruct
I believe strongly that the user’s struggle should be with the mission — not the interface.
Good design removes friction. A tool like Figma has helped me experience that firsthand — showing how construction itself can feel intuitive, creative, and even fun.
From Research to Real Users
I bring with me a background in research and professional collaboration. I’ve worked on teams where my ideas have been challenged, sharpened, and shaped by people with diverse perspectives — something I value deeply.
The Value of Pivoting
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in UX design is this:
Good ideas are only good if they work for real people.
User research and usability testing have shown me that what seems clear in theory can fall flat in practice. And that’s not failure — it’s insight.
I’ve learned to welcome those moments when the data challenges my assumptions.
That’s when real design happens — when I pivot, refine, and rebuild with the user truly in mind.
Every usability test is a window into how someone experiences your product — and sometimes the most valuable design move is stepping back, listening, and letting go of your first solution.
My Goal
Using what I’ve learned, I hope to continue building experiences that are not just usable, but meaningful — helping people accomplish more with less effort, and feel confident doing it. I want the work to feel grounded, approachable, and intentional. By listening closely to people’s needs, I aim to design with empathy — creating tools that feel both intuitive and thoughtfully crafted.
Case Study #1
Navigating the Job Market
Problem Statement
Rapid technological advancements, including automation and artificial intelligence, drive job uncertainty. These advancements are reshaping industries and eliminating traditional roles. Economic instability, industry shifts, and globalization have amplified competition and pressured workers to adapt continuously. This evolving landscape demands resilience, lifelong learning, and innovative approaches to career development. How can we empower individuals with the skills and confidence to achieve their career goals in an ever-evolving job market?
Methods
Conduct 16 interviews targeting early-career professionals and job seekers
Extract common themes from user responses
Identify patterns to inform user needs and pain points
Gather direct quotes to ground personas in real user language
Revisit and refocus problem statement based on findings
Interview Key findings
The Emotional Toll of Job Searching
The job hunt feels exhausting, discouraging, and uncertain. Many candidates feel burned out from sending applications with no responses. The lack of transparency in hiring creates self-doubt and frustration.
The Need for Personalization
A one-size-fits-all resume is no longer enough. Candidates know they must tailor applications to each job, but this is time-consuming and confusing. Many want AI assistance to speed up customization while maintaining authenticity.
Visibility & Tracking Frustrations
Job seekers feel lost after applying, unsure if their resume was even seen. Many wish they could track resume views and ATS progress to determine when to follow up. There is also a lack of insight into application performance adding to the stress of job searching
AI as a Gatekeeper
Job seekers struggle with ATS systems filtering out resumes before human review. Many feel frustrated by rejections without feedback and don’t understand why they’re being overlooked. There was also a lack of clarity on how to optimize resumes for AI-driven hiring
AI Trust & Ethical Concerns
Candidates are skeptical about AI’s role in hiring and career development. Some fear bias in AI screening and lack of human oversight in hiring decisions. There are concerns over data privacy when using AI-powered job search tools.
The Demand for Career Development Support
Job seekers want guidance beyond just applying. Many are uncertain how to position themselves for better opportunities. There is a growing need for AI-driven tools that provide mentorship-like support in crafting resumes, networking, and career growth.
Personas
Early-Career Explorer
Goals
Find a fulfilling first job
Build confidence in professional settings
Learn from people already in the field
Pain Points
Feels awkward reaching out cold to professionals
Overwhelmed by options and lack of direction
Limited access to mentors or industry insight
Needs
A way to meet approachable professionals
Guidance through networking and job searching
A low-pressure, informal space to ask questions
Independent Pivoter
Goals
Transition into a new role or industry
Gain clarity on what skills are transferable
Build a professional network in a new space
Pain Points
Feels isolated during the career shift
Lacks insider perspective on new industries
Uncertain how to approach networking or mentorship
Needs
Real stories and advice from professionals in target roles
Easy access to relevant connections
Encouragement and support during the transition
Lo-Fi Prototypes & IDeation
Job community board
Features
Connect with peers
Gain job or company advice
Shared experiences
“Seeing honest, experience-based insights from someone actually working there makes such a difference. It’s not just about job descriptions anymore — it’s about understanding the culture and whether I’d actually fit in. That kind of openness makes me feel more confident reaching out.”
Question Board
Features
Targeted Q&A on companies and roles
Experience based insights of peers
Community drive support
“This creates a dialogue with people who are willing to sit down with someone about the better understanding of the job and company.”
Personalized AI Job Analyzer
Features
Unfiltered job insights
AI-powered trend analysis
Personalized job matching
“I like the idea of using an AI analyzer to clean things out for you.
It just makes everything feel less overwhelming. Instead of scrolling through endless job posts, it feels like the platform actually understands what I’m looking for — and helps me focus on the roles that fit.”
Project Pivot & Adjustments
Smarter job searches with real connections
REFOCUSED Problem Question
How can we empower individuals with the skills and confidence to achieve their career goals in an ever-evolving job market?
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Help users build skills and confidence for navigating a changing job market.
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Help users find and access job listings relevant to their expertise and interests.
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Foster meaningful networking where there is currently an identified gap.
Identify helpful and approachable interactions.
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Enhance job application process through AI-powered resume optimization and skills analysis.
Solution
Create a more personalized application featuring AI-powered resume optimization tools, strong career transition support, and a networking opportunity to learn more about relevant jobs a job seeker may be interested in.
Mid-Fidelity Prototypes
Task 1: Apply for a Job
This flow guides users through discovering, customizing, and submitting job applications:
Users begin with a search interface supported by AI-suggested roles and companies.
They can review job details and select or upload a tailored resume and cover letter.
After submitting, they receive a confirmation screen and are directed to a Tracker Dashboard.
The Tracker allows users to monitor their application status, bringing transparency and organization to the job hunt.
Task 2: Create a Resume
A user-centered resume builder focused on personalization and optional AI assistance:
Users choose from various resume templates and enter their own professional information.
They can review optional AI-generated content suggestions for optimization and ATS compatibility.
Finished resumes are previewed, saved, and stored in the user’s personal resume library for reuse and easy access.
Task 3: Coffee Chat Scheduling
This feature supports low-pressure networking through mentor matching and scheduling:
Users can view upcoming chats from their dashboard and explore available professionals by filters such as industry, role, or availability.
They review match listings with brief bios and select a professional to learn more about.
Each mentor has a dedicated profile page where users can explore experience and background before scheduling a conversation.
Usability Testing Learnings & REsults
3 Key Areas for Improvement
01
Barriers
Scheduling and initiating chats is a common barrier.
AI feels efficient but impersonal.
Leverage AI to be the note taker so the networking can feel seamless and engaging.
02
Visibility
Improve mentor visibility to give users what they want more quickly.
Create a visible pool of mentors the user has been matched with.
Create a curated experience making the users feel ownership and connection.
03
Clear terminology
Participants had difficulty with terminology and unsure what a button would lead to.
Renamed sections based on user intent and action, such as “Browse Roles” and “Request Chat”.
Mood Board
Approachable & Professional Cohesion
The goal was to create a space that feels like meeting a mentor for coffee — not logging into a job portal.
The mood board emphasizes a calm, confident, and professional tone — supporting users who may feel overwhelmed by job searching.
Graphics and visuals aren’t just aesthetic — they guide user behavior, support clarity, and build emotional trust.
Hi-Fidelity Prototypes
Home Screen
A warm welcome paired with two core actions: Find Jobs or Mentor Chat. Designed for clarity, this screen emphasizes accessibility and reinforces a sense of personal connection by greeting the user by name.
Goal: Create a welcoming, action-oriented entry point
Personalized greeting (“Welcome back, Adam!”) builds familiarity
Two primary CTAs: Find Jobs and Mentor Chat
Visual design emphasizes simplicity and ease of use
Color contrast supports accessibility and visual clarity
Consistent bottom nav supports seamless navigation
Mentor Chat Landing Screen
Introduces users to the chat feature and presents “Browse by Role” cards for tailored exploration. The section uses iconography and mentor counts to set expectations and encourage curiosity.
Goal: Introduce feature and guide users into relevant categories
Short description explains the value of mentor chats
Browse by Role cards provide intuitive entry points
Icons and mentor counts give users expectations at a glance
Visual balance between discovery and focused intent
Smooth step between home screen and deeper mentor browsing
Find Your Mentor – Expanded Role-Based Browsing
Users get a glimpse of available mentors by role, helping them decide which path to explore. This preview-style screen balances structure and invitation, encouraging further engagement without cognitive overload.
Goal: Give users a glimpse of available mentors in each category to help them decide where to explore next
Sample mentor avatars provide a sense of real people behind each category
Role labels and subfields (e.g., UX/UI, DevOps, Growth) add granularity and direction
Mentor counts (e.g., “12 Mentors”) create clarity around availability
“Browse [Role] Mentors” CTAs guide users into deeper mentor selection
Acts as a bridge between curiosity and commitment in the browsing flow
Mentor Profile List
Mentor profiles are presented with key info at a glance—experience, specializations, session availability, and a prompt to book. Badge-like tags help users quickly identify areas of expertise. Session duration options and live availability indicators provide clarity and reduce friction in decision-making.
Goal: Help users make informed choices about who to chat with
Full mentor cards with:
Title, employer, experience
Expertise tags (e.g., UX Design, Prototyping)
Session length and availability
High scannability through consistent formatting
Request Chat button stands out without overwhelming
Star ratings and past company experience boost credibility
Date & Time Picker – Guided Scheduling
Once a mentor is selected, users are presented with an easy-to-use calendar to book a session. This clean layout minimizes cognitive load and supports decision confidence. Available times update dynamically, helping users move quickly toward confirmation with minimal clicks.
Goal: Enable frictionless time selection in an approachable format
Large calendar UI supports quick visual scanning
Shows selected mentor and date at top for orientation
Highlights available times for chosen date
Minimalist design with no distractions or unnecessary fields
Calendar format familiar to most users
Booking Confirmation – Reinforcing Confidence
A success state designed to reassure users of their completed action. This screen clearly confirms mentor details, meeting time, format, and transcript availability. Calls-to-action such as “Add to Calendar” and “Schedule Another Chat” offer immediate next steps, reinforcing a smooth and professional experience.
Goal: Provide clear confirmation and encourage further action
Summary of chat details: mentor name, role, time, format
Zoom link and AI-generated chat transcript clearly noted
Two follow-up actions: Add to Calendar and Schedule Another Chat
Success visuals (checkmark and layout) create a satisfying close
Reinforces professionalism and polish
Reflection & What’s NExt
What I Learned
The value of feedback
This project taught me how early user feedback can reshape a product entirely — not just polish it.
Throughout this project, feedback played a pivotal role in shaping the final design. From early user interviews to design critiques with peers and mentors, I learned how much clearer, stronger, and more user-focused my ideas became when I welcomed outside perspectives. Feedback wasn’t just about validation—it revealed blind spots and helped me prioritize what mattered most to users.
stay open to change
Not just about designing a solution, but about how important it is to stay open to change. The original idea was broader — more focused on job applications and AI tools — but through user interviews and testing, I realized that what people really needed was connection.
Design is never a straight line. I learned that holding too tightly to initial ideas can get in the way of better solutions. Being willing to pivot based on usability insights or stakeholder input led to more effective iterations. The most successful design choices came when I let go of ego and embraced the process.
the power of confidence
We want to refine how AI-generated transcripts work — testing whether they actually help users retain information and follow up after chats. We’ll also explore making them editable or shareable.
As a designer transitioning from another field, this project helped me build confidence in my skills—from user research to prototyping and presenting my ideas. Seeing users respond positively to a feature I created, or solving a challenge I initially felt unsure about, reminded me that growth happens through doing—and iterating.
What’s next
Transcripts
We want to refine how AI-generated transcripts work — testing whether they actually help users retain information and follow up after chats. We’ll also explore making them editable or shareable.
To improve accessibility and transparency, I plan to incorporate transcripts or summaries from recorded coffee chats (with consent). This could give future users a better sense of what to expect and offer tangible examples of how conversations have helped others.
Improved Graphics
We’ll develop more contextual illustrations, icons, and onboarding visuals —to reinforce clarity and tone. While the current visuals communicate the concept, I want to refine UI elements to feel even more polished and modern. This includes enhancing icon clarity, adjusting spacing for better readability, and applying a consistent design language throughout all screens.
Further User Testing
We’ll continue testing with real users to validate new features like mentor filters, scheduling flows, and even messaging prompts. We want to be sure every feature adds real value — not just functionality for its own sake.
There’s still more to learn. I plan to conduct additional usability testing with first-time users and those unfamiliar with informal networking tools. This will help validate flow clarity, uncover potential drop-off points, and guide further refinement of the onboarding and scheduling experience.