UX and Product Ownership

In my six months at FINTA Tech Academy, I had the opportunity to work as both a Product Owner (PO) and User Experience (UX) Designer on the Holi app. Collaborating with a team of four students and Holi, I focused on developing new features and enhancing the user experience. This experience not only deepened my skills in UX design but also introduced me to the dynamics of IT consulting and project management.

Role

UX Researcher & Product Designer

Context

Working Student @ Netlight | 12h/Week

Timespan

01/2024 - 06/2024

Keywords

Design research, Prototyping, Component Libary, Usability Testing, Stakeholder Management

The Project

The poll feature was intended to serve as a touchpoint for user interaction and stimulate conversation within the app. In addition to the poll feature, I worked extensively on an extended reactions feature, giving users a broader range of reaction options.

UX Design – Reactions Feature

To better understand the needs and preferences of our target audience, I conducted a detailed user survey and analyzed the findings. Drawing from these insights and a comprehensive literature review on social media interactions, I developed an optimized user flow that incorporated the expanded reaction options and tailored them to the needs of our users.

Miroboard Screenshot, with all Steps

Approach #1

Design Development

Created and iterated on designs based on user feedback and testing insights.

Approach #2

User Research

Designed a user questionnaire, implemented it, and conducted a detailed analysis of survey responses to understand user preferences.

31 User & 5 Hypothesis

Icon Test & Reaction expectations

Approach #3

Literature Review

Researched existing social media reactions to inform feature development and ensure relevance and usability.

Design Ideas

To bring these features to life, I utilized Figma to design and refine the user interface. Regular meetings with the client, Holi, and the Product Designer on their team were essential to align our designs with the broader product vision.

Mockups of the First Iteration

These sessions allowed us to discuss design choices, ensure our work reflected user needs, and quickly incorporate feedback. This collaborative approach ensured that our solutions were not only user-centered but also aligned with Holi’s brand and technical constraints.

Shows some Flows for the Reaction

Product Ownership

My role as Product Owner presented the unique challenge of leading a team of students with diverse experience levels, varying schedules, and balancing my dual roles in UX and product management. Through regular workshops and targeted team-building activities, we successfully created a harmonious and productive work environment. Interactive tools like Miro facilitated transparent and continuous feedback, which contributed to the improvement of our work. Additionally, I employed the DIES method (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate, Suggest) to provide structured and actionable feedback.

Learning

The experience at FINTA Tech Academy helped me build both technical and interpersonal skills, solidifying my foundation as a UX Designer and Product Owner​.

Shows some Learnings and Pics

Learning

This project underscored the importance of effective communication and feedback. Balancing hard and soft skills, from Python and React Native to teamwork and time management, prepared me for real-world challenges. Working closely with mentors also provided insights into stakeholder management and the complexities of project dynamics beyond the classroom setting.

Note

Following my time with Netlight, I continued to work on this project in my role as a working student at Holi, where I carried the project through to completion. This continuity allowed me to integrate additional improvements based on user feedback and testing insights, and to see the project through from concept to final implementation, further strengthening my practical experience in UX and product design. Additional responsibilities during my time at Holi.