TheApply.AI

Problem

Apply.AI, a platform designed to assist users in finding new jobs or advancing their current careers, faced a significant challenge. The onboarding process, crucial for gathering user information to power the AI's personalized recommendations, was proving to be a major roadblock. Users were abandoning the sign-up process due to its length and complexity, hindering the app's effectiveness and user adoption.

Solution

1. Streamline the onboarding process to reduce friction and increase completion rates

2. Modernize the UI to enhance visual appeal and user engagement

3. Implement a progressive disclosure approach to information gathering

Progress

01. RESEARCH

1. Competitive Analysis: I conducted an in-depth study of leading job search and career advancement platforms, focusing on their onboarding flows and UI patterns. This informed the design direction, particularly in terms of information architecture and visual hierarchy.

2. User Journey Mapping: I created detailed user journey maps to identify pain points in the existing flow and opportunities for improvement. This led to the decision to break down the onboarding into smaller, more manageable steps.

3. Information Architecture: I reorganized the required information into logical groupings, prioritizing essential data for immediate collection while deferring less critical information for later stages.

02. DESIGN

1. Progressive Disclosure: I implemented a multi-step onboarding process, breaking down complex information into bite-sized, thematic sections. This decision was driven by cognitive load theory, aiming to reduce user overwhelm and increase completion rates.

2. Visual Design Overhaul: I adopted a clean, modern aesthetic with a focus on white space, clear typography, and subtle animations to guide users through the flow.

3. Interaction Design: I introduced micro-interactions and visual feedback to make the process more engaging and rewarding. For instance, a progress bar was added to provide users with a sense of advancement and motivation.

4. UI Patterns: I replaced long-form inputs with more user-friendly UI patterns where possible. For example, we introduced a tag-based selection system for skills and interests, allowing users to quickly choose from pre-defined options or add custom tags.

5. Responsive Design: I ensured the new design was fully responsive, optimizing the experience across various devices and screen sizes to cater to users' preferences and circumstances.

Conclusion

This redesign showcases a user-centered approach, with each design decision rooted in research insights and UX best practices. By simplifying the onboarding process, modernizing the UI, and implementing progressive disclosure, we aimed to significantly improve user engagement and completion rates. The new design not only addresses the immediate pain points but also sets a foundation for a more intuitive and effective AI-enhanced user experience throughout the Apply.AI platform.