About the project

Credalgo is a project that is similar in function to Linkedin, though without the social media aspect. Its purpose is to highlight and compare an individual’s skills, salary and more, to others within the same industry. It also used this feature on a larger scale, allowing companies to compare themselves with competitors, down to the smallest details. When I was approached to help with development, the core user journey and brand had already been established, though it had been left to the side for two years. My task was to add missing screens and features, reusing the basic layout and keeping as close to the branding as possible, whilst creating entirely new components.

The design team (for the portion of which I contributed) consisted solely of myself. Grant Fraser provided me with the information needed, such as the desired user journeys and his wider vision for the project.

Problem and solution

Having been on ice for so many years, Credalgo’s design, whilst sleek and professional, was only a starting point. Many screens had been designed for mobile and not desktop (or vice versa), and some screens were missing altogether. Some of these screens required graphics, information and ideas that were otherwise nonexistent in their current state.

The wider problem the project was to address, was to serve as a one-stop shop for all information on individuals, as well as companies and their roles, including average salaries, employee diversity, location and rating, to streamline and make the recruitment process more transparent.

To include these features, I had to consider their placement in the wider site, as well as how best to present them. With such vast and detailed information required for viewing, I had to research potential rivals in the market and how to present it all in a manner easy to access and understand.

Methodology

My UX design methodology followed a user-centred and iterative approach - the key stages being: Discover, Define, Ideate, Design and Test. (This was a unique project, so my approach was less fleshed out than normal. For a more in-depth look at my usual process, I would point you towards my D&D Beyond case study.)

The target audience was both casual and full-time job seekers, as well as companies seeking to fill positions. I had a clear understanding of the user's needs and pain points, thanks to user research conducted before my involvement, being the ability to vet potential roles and employees/employers. However, I lacked insight into presenting vast amounts of intricate data in a streamlined and visually appealing manner. After researching platforms such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Indeed, I established a loose idea of how to proceed.

Grant left me to my own devices, however we maintained regular communication to establish whether the designs were heading in the right direction. The process was iterative and several key features were created, including graphs and charts, and several new pathways that served to expand upon the search and filter options. I also created the sign-up process, focusing on a clear and concise pathway that would allow the user to highlight skills, certifications, and employment and education history, as well as the ability to request verification on each to enhance the user’s profile.

Results

This project started on 16/09/2024 and is still in its early stages of development, so as of yet has not gone live. However, my work was well-received. With my additions, the journeys have become even more streamlined and expand upon the key features of the site without unnecessary complexity.

“Really good work. It helps that you had the feel of it all but I’ve been really impressed with how quickly you pick up what I’m thinking.”

— Grant Fraser - Head of Stellar Connect