This past summer I worked at a start-up called Republic as a product/graphic design intern. Republic is a platform where everyone, not just accredited investors, can invest in start-ups. I helped design and test the new User Dashboard (Slide 1-4, Final Designs). Currently, on the Republic website, users see the same homepage whether or not they are logged in (Slide 5). The current homepage consists of a landing page with a call to action button to “Discover Companies.” When you scroll, you see an endless feed of investment opportunities, which can be overwhelming. With the new dashboard, we wanted logged-in users to have the ability to see content relevant to them, especially now that our onboarding process includes selecting categories that users are interested in. We also wanted to display educational content so our users feel more comfortable using the platform and making investments, as well as show articles from our blog. We started by thinking through what elements we wanted the dashboard to have, taking into account some previous surveys we had sent to investors. I made some initial layout mocks and we went from there to make different iterations to test (Slide 6). My mocks displayed an education center at the top, then had various sections such as “Trending” and “Live Deals” where users could browse deals that may be interesting for them. My designs also featured drop-downs that users could use to sort their results to be based on their previous investments if they already had a portfolio or based on their categories that they selected during onboarding (Slide 7, Early Ideation). If they had no portfolio or categories selected, but chose to filter with this option, they would be prompted to make an investment to fill their portfolio or select categories that are interesting to them (Slide 8, Early Ideation). We added a section where users could see their portfolio on their homepage, as we had previously heard feedback that most users who had already made an investment on Republic commonly check their portfolio to see if anything has changed with their investment(s) (Slide 9, Early Ideation). We also made a section where investors could see their saved deals, since they may be interested in investing in those in the future. After we polished the mocks, I made Figma prototypes for user testing. We were curious if users found the ability to see companies based on their categories useful, and which of the sections were particularly interesting to them (Trending, New, etc). Additionally we wanted to see if users found the educational content helpful/relevant. We had two main iterations we were testing, one with a single column view (Slide 10), and one with a two-column view (Slide 11), where the portfolio overview would be in a sidebar. After testing, it seemed like users did not have a strong preference towards either the one or two-column views. They did however emphasize how they like seeing their portfolio and that they would like to see updates from their portfolio on this dashboard. They also found the dropdowns a bit confusing. One user mentioned that the functionality of the dropdowns was cool, but we were probably over-engineering and it was enough to just have rows of deals that may be interesting to them. Everyone seemed to like the new education center. After user-testing, as well as discussing with internal stake-holders, we decided for our V1 we would do a one column design, get rid of the dropdowns, and add the ability to see various relevant updates on your home page. We originally made a version with a larger portfolio view (Slide 12) since a lot of the users seemed to like the idea, then updated our dashboard to go with the direction of the undergoing rebrand (Slide 13). However, all of their investments to discover would be too low on their dashboard and not show until they scroll, so we ended up compressing the portfolio section. One issue we encountered was how best to differentiate updates related to a user’s portfolio companies from a user’s saved companies (Slide 14). We ended up putting the updates from saved deals in a separate space so it was clearer which updates pertained to which section (saved or portfolio). We made a couple versions with cosmetic differences, and after talks with our head of product, came up with a final version to be implemented (Slide 15).

Final design for user dashboard on Republic

Final design for user dashboard on Republic, mobile version

Final design for user dashboard on Republic, including education center

Final design for user dashboard on Republic with education center, mobile version

Early brainstorming for the user dashboard.

Early brainstorming for the user dashboard dropdowns.

Early brainstorming for the user dashboard, dropdown view if no categories.

One column user dashboard draft with large portfolio section.

One column user dashboard draft with medium-size portfolio section, cosmetic improvements

One column user dashboard draft with smaller portfolio and deal updates

Republic Dashboard

Cover for user dashboard designs for Republic

This past summer I worked at a start-up called Republic as a product/graphic design intern. Republic is a platform where everyone, not just accredited investors, can invest in start-ups. I helped design a new search interface we call Global Search (Slide 1, Final Design). The existing search on Republic only allows users to search for companies by name and by adding certain filters like “Sector” and “Revenue” (Slide 2). We wanted to give users a way to not only be able to search companies but to also search for relevant categories and investors that may be interesting to them. Our overall goal was to make search more focused on discovery. My work mainly involved conducting internal user tests with prototypes I made in Figma and working with our lead designer to implement the feedback we received while making sure the designs aligned with our goal of increasing deal discovery with the implementation of Global Search. One of our limitations was not being able to implement a search in the header of the website, so we came up with some other options that would have the search experience on a separate page. One option did not have the header after the user navigated to search for a more “focused search” experience (Slide 3). The 2nd option had the header and then had a large search bar, while also having big images for the companies displayed before you search (Slide 4). The 3rd option had the header and the search bar, but again was a bit more of a focused search experience, with smaller thumbnails for the companies (Slide 5). After some internal testing, we noticed most people were drawn to option 3 because they did not feel overwhelmed by information and visuals, and they could easily navigate to anywhere else on the Republic site from this option. In this version we show trending opportunities (companies) and popular categories before a user starts typing because if a user is new or just doesn’t know what to search, this will provide them some options of what they can look for. When a user starts typing we will show the most relevant results within opportunities, categories and investors (Slide 9). When clicked on, the results will open in a new page, so the user can look at multiple results without losing their spot. If the user’s search does not return any results, we will show them the same opportunities and categories as before they searched and additionally allow them to fill out a form if for some reason our results did not return what they expected (Slide 10).

No results found when you type into search

Republic Search

This past summer I worked at a start-up called Republic as a product/graphic design intern. Republic is a platform where everyone, not just accredited investors, can invest in start-ups. Republic recently acquired a company in the UK and is starting to serve European customers. Since users will be searchable in our new search interface, we had to design privacy settings to ensure GDPR compliance. I worked with our Data and Privacy Director to make sure the messaging and functionality was compliant and accessible, and talked with our engineers about implementation (Slide 1, Final Design). Our current privacy settings page does not allow users to customize their settings much, and also is relatively vague (Slide 2). I redesigned the user privacy settings to be more straightforward, allowing users better control over their profile and information. If users make their profile private, they automatically don’t share any of their information on their profile (Slide 3). If a user makes their profile public, they have the ability to customize what information others can see (Slide 5). Users can also opt out of sharing demographic data (Slide 3 and 4). I also designed the pop-ups/flashbar (Slides 5-8) to notify users that their profiles will now be searchable through the new global search. The original pop-up design included a toggle where the user could decide whether or not their profile would be public, however after discussing complexities of that implementation with our engineers, we decided instead that the pop-up would link User Settings. This way, the user will be able to see all of their privacy settings options instead of just one toggle.

Privacy settings on Republic for a person who is public

Current privacy settings page on Republic

Privacy settings on Republic for a person who is not public

New privacy settings on Republic for a person who is public

Pop-up to announce new privacy settings, on mobile

Flashbar to announce new privacy settings

Flashbar to announce new privacy settings, on mobile

Republic Privacy

As a project for my Advanced Typography class, I designed a type specimen poster inspired by a place. Traditionally, type specimen posters were sent by companies that designed typefaces to designers as a way to advertise their typefaces through the use of them in these poster designs. We had to choose a typeface that fits a place and then design a type specimen poster for it related to the place we had chosen. I chose Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina as I really enjoyed visiting it a few years ago. I loved all the pastel colors and the historic southern charm. After some experimentation, I ended up choosing the typeface Cheque. The front of the poster is focused more on advertising Rainbow Row (Slide 1), while the back contains the typeface in various sizes and arrangements and focuses on advertising the typeface(Slide 2). All of the text used on the back is pulled from descriptions about the houses on rainbow row, and each of the descriptions is in the color of its respective house.

Rainbow Row poster inspired type specimen poster for typeface Cheque

Rainbow Row inspired type specimen poster back

Earlier iteration of Rainbow Row inspired type specimen poster front

Earlier iteration of Rainbow Row inspired type specimen poster back

Early iteration of Rainbow Row inspired type specimen poster front, with a different typeface

Type Specimen Poster

A friend of mine is working on a coffee start-up called Taya, and I re-designed some slides in her pitch deck.

Slide 2 of the pitchdeck, discussing consumer coffee preferences

Slide 3 of the pitchdeck, discussing the coffee market

Slide 6 of the pitchdeck, discussing the benefits of Taya

Slide 8 of the pitchdeck, comparing Taya to other ocffee options

Slide 9 of the pitchdeck, showing Taya limited edition flavors

Slide 11 of the pitchdeck, discussing Taya's strategy for growth

Slide 12 of the pitchdeck, displaying Taya's brand roadmap

Slide 13 of the pitchdeck, discussing Taya's go-to-market strategy

Taya Coffee

For my Introduction to Graphic Design class, we did a project where we picked a place that was special to us, and based on the feelings/ideas we associate with it, designed a new visual identity/logo for them (Slide 2, Moodboard). I picked an interactive sculpture garden called Grounds for Sculpture that I went to growing up. I was always a big fan of how you could come up to, touch, and pose with the sculptures rather than just looking like you would in most art spaces. I also loved how all of the art was surrounded by nature. Based on this, I designed a new logo/visual identity for the park that involved a flexible identity (a logo that allows different iterations to be used) to mirror the interactive nature of the park (Slide 1). We also had to design a brochure and I made mine from pieces of the logo that allowed the reader to pull them apart and assemble their own creations (Slides 3-5).

Flexible identity made of circle, square and triangle for Grounds for Sculpture

Moodboard inspired by Grounds for Sculpture

Brochure made from the pieces of the proposed Grounds for Sculpture Logo

Grounds for Sculpture

Playbill and poster design for Yale’s production of King Richard II by William Shakespeare. Inspired by old Shakespearean playbills as well as the director’s vision for the show. King Richard outline done by Dalia Maeroff. Slide 3 is an older iteration/concept.

King Richard II

For Advanced Typography, I designed a short book based on some writing by a friend of mine, Dalia Maeroff. The story centers around Dalia’s romantic fling while traveling around Israel. I integrated photos that Dalia and I took on the trip and the names of the places in Hebrew to give the book a more authentic feeling. This project was done using InDesign.

A Story about Falling in Love

These are commissioned album cover designs for Addiction by jeleen, a song that focuses on dealing with a friendship where substance abuse from one party is putting a strain on the relationship. I made a bunch of different iterations based on ideas around addiction, substance abuse, friendship, and love.

Design with broken heart on black background

Design with spilled heart pills spelling out addiction

Design with broken heart pills spilling out

Design with pink eyes, one eye closed on pink background with pills in the background

Design with broken heart burning, with blood, pills and a syringe 

Addiction

Project for Introduction to Graphic Design which involved creating your own artsy typeface and then creating a poster using it. I was inspired by the lights that hung on my wall to shape them into letters. I used both photos and videos to create static and animated versions of my typeface/poster. The poster featured a quote from Shakespeare about stars as the typeface resembled stars/twinkling stars.

Poster of twinkling lights, with Shakespeare quote

String Lights Typography

Playbill and poster design for Yale’s production of Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon. The play centers around cousins fighting over a family heirloom and confronting their Jewish faith.

Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon

Album cover/promotional designs for “The Fool” by Fools Caravan based on a drawing (Slide 6) the band gave me.

Design for fool album cover inspired by drawing from the band

The Fool

Logo designs/illustrations for a friend’s travel/photography blog inspired by her travel outfit (Slide 3).

Logo of girl in jacket with backpack, lost in the world

Lost in the World

Album cover for a friend’s song about enjoying spending time in Philadelphia. I used the song’s vibes as inspiration for the purple hues and a picture of Philadelphia I had taken. I made a variety of iterations/options as I like when the people I am designing for have options.

Philadelphia photo with purple background design and lights

City Lights

Design/Illustration for a friend’s song called “Strawberry Moon.” The song has some cute effects on it which inspired the little cartoon strawberry reaching for the moon.

Strawberry Moon

Logo concepts for a friend’s idea of an apparel line based around NYC Dollar Slice pizza.

Dollar Slice

Designs/illustrations inspired by singer/songwriter Jordana and her song 'I guess this is life'