Education

The existing experience had a cluttered interface, outdated design patterns, and complex navigation that discouraged users from completing searches or applications.

The goal was to simplify discovery and application workflows so students of all backgrounds could easily find scholarships that matched their profiles. Our key objectives were to streamline search and filtering, improve application tracking and dashboards, enhance accessibility, and build a modern design system that scales across platforms.

I conducted user interviews and data reviews to identify search and sign-up pain points, mapped end-to-end student workflows, and restructured the information architecture to prioritize personalized matches and simplified filters.

Setting the scene with the production team

I created iterative wireframes and prototypes to refine layouts, content hierarchy, and overall usability, supported by a clean visual system with strong contrast, clear typography, and consistent components for scalability.

Usability testing with students ensured the final experience was intuitive, WCAG-compliant, and ready for efficient developer handoff.

The research phase combined a UX best-practices review with surveys and interviews across students using the platform.

We focused on how students navigated scholarship discovery day to day, where confusion or drop-off occurred, and what they needed to feel confident trusting the information and taking next steps.

• The final design delivered a student-first, accessible platform with streamlined navigation, a refreshed brand identity, and a scalable design system.

Contributing to the Scholarships.com redesign gave me the opportunity to support a meaningful project with real impact for students. Under the direction of the lead designer, I focused on UI and process documentation, ensuring the final product was both usable and scalable. Seeing the transformation from research insights to a polished, trustworthy platform was deeply rewarding.

“Julieta transformed a dated experience into one that truly serves students. Her empathetic approach and design clarity made complex processes simple, empowering thousands to pursue educational opportunities more confidently.”

— Product Manager, Scholarships.com

The redesign not only enhanced the product's usability but also strengthened its competitive positioning.

• +45% increase in completed sign-ups
• +38% improvement in scholarship applications started
• Improved accessibility and inclusivity scores (WCAG AA)
• Higher engagement on mobile devices
• Faster onboarding for new users through simplified forms and clear guidance