Inlight Model

The Problem

The modeling industry may seem glamorous, but after two years as a full-time model and hearing countless horror stories from peers, I discovered a hidden reality—models struggle with a lack of reliable industry information, the absence of a safe space for honest discussions, and widespread scams and safety risks, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported.

The Solution

This project seeks to create an app that equips models worldwide with essential tools, offering a trusted platform to access reliable information, connect safely, and navigate their careers with greater security and confidence.

My Role

As the sole UX designer, I managed the end-to-end design process—from user research and pain point analysis to designing intuitive solutions. Through user interviews and iterative prototyping, I developed a platform focused on safety, reliability, and usability, independently managing the entire project within a self-directed timeline.

1. Research

Despite the increase in online modeling resources, most remain vague, jargon-heavy, and sales-driven, making it difficult for new models to find clear, accurate, and actionable guidance.

Since there is no exact app currently available for what I aim to create, I conducted a Competitive Analysis on three platforms related to modeling and education: Backstage, a long-established resource for actors and models; Udemy, an online learning platform; and TED, a content-sharing platform. Using Nielsen’s usability heuristics, I analyzed their strengths and weaknesses in usability, content presentation, and user control. The insights from this analysis highlight gaps in existing resources and reinforce the need for a streamlined, user-friendly platform specifically designed for models to access reliable industry information.

2. Synthesis

After synthesizing interview insights into five categories, I identified two key focus areas: providing clear, reliable definitions for modeling terms to improve industry understanding and creating a secure, anonymous space for models to share experiences and advice.

2.2 Empathy Maps

From the empathy map, beginner models struggle with industry confusion, lack of accessible guidance, and safety concerns, while experienced models face uncertainty, industry gatekeeping, and brand rejection. Both groups seek reliable information, community support, and a safer, more transparent modeling environment.

2.3 Personas

Anna J: A 21-year-old part-time model and student in LA, overwhelmed by the complexity of the modeling industry, seeks reliable guidance to avoid scams and learn essential terms.

2.3 Personas

Jade M: A 28-year-old experienced model in NY, passionate about supporting newcomers and promoting transparency, frustrated by scattered information and lack of accessible platforms.

3. Design

To address key user pain points, I brainstormed two solutions:

  1. An interactive learning platform with verified resources and flashcards to help beginners like Anna quickly learn and remember industry terms.

  2. A community forum for experienced models like Jade to connect, share experiences, and support each other.

3.2 Sitemaps

The sitemap organizes the platform into clear sections: Learning (Study, Glossary), Community Interaction (Q&A, Chats), and User Management (Account, Messages). It ensures easy navigation for users to access resources, connect, and manage their profiles.

3.3 User Flows

The user flows illustrate two key interactions:

  1. Learning Industry Terms: Users search for terms, learn via flashcards, and receive review reminders to reinforce knowledge.

  2. Community Engagement: Users browse posts, answer questions, and submit responses, fostering interaction within the community.

4. Prototype

4.1 Sketches

Initial sketches were created to visualize the user flows for learning industry terms and community engagement. These sketches and paper prototypes focus on simplicity and usability, ensuring users can easily navigate the platform to achieve their goals.

  • 1.Community Main & Question Detail

  • 2.Leave A Comment & Comment Posted

  • 3.Homepage & Study Main

  • 4.Study Search & Term Detail

  • 5.Lock Screen Notification & Start Flashcards Review

  • 6.Flashcards Review Results & Flashcards Review Completed

Guerilla usability testing was conducted in New York with five participants to evaluate the app’s navigation and usability. Key findings revealed unexpected user preferences, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives. Recommendations include adding images to explain terms, confirmation pop-ups for flashcards, and text/image options for flashcard answers to improve accessibility and learning flexibility.

4.3 Wireframes

Seeing the initial ideas come to life in these wireframes was incredibly exciting! The Community section fosters connection, the Study feature makes learning industry terms engaging, and the My Study Progress section keeps users motivated. It’s rewarding to see the design evolve into a user-friendly and intuitive experience.

4.4 Mood Board

Creating the mood board was such a fun and inspiring process! After chatting with fellow models, I discovered their love for a neutral aesthetic. I took their feedback to heart and seamlessly incorporated it into my design. It’s exciting to see the app’s visual style come together in a way that feels both minimalistic and soothing.

4.5 Style Guide

The style guide defines the app’s visual identity with a clean and professional aesthetic. It includes a soft, neutral color palette, intuitive button styles, and clear typography to ensure consistency and accessibility across the platform.

4.6 High Fidelity Mockups - Study

The Study section focuses on helping users learn industry terms through interactive flashcards, progress tracking, and review sessions. The design emphasizes simplicity and accessibility, with clear navigation and visual feedback to enhance the learning experience.

4.6 High Fidelity Mockups - Community

The Community section allows users to connect and share experiences in a supportive environment. Features such as anonymous posting, upvoted answers, and topic-based discussions encourage engagement and knowledge sharing.

5. Evaluate

Following the Usability Test Plan, usability testing revealed key areas for improvement, from unclear navigation labels—like the misleading "Study" tab—to the need for better visual consistency and search functionality. To enhance the experience, I refined tab names, optimized search, and added interactive features like timestamps and like buttons for better engagement.

5.2 Final Version

After incorporating feedback from usability testing, I refined the High-Fidelity Mockups to make them more intuitive and better aligned with user expectations. The updated designs for the Study and Community sections now provide greater clarity, consistency, and a more engaging experience. Here’s the final improved version!

5.3 Afterthoughts

This entire process was not only challenging but also incredibly fun! What fascinated me the most was the Usability Testing phase—it felt like a constant cycle of building and breaking assumptions. It amazed me how differently people think and interact with designs, and it reminded me of the importance of empathy in UX. Moving forward as a UX designer, I’ll continue to listen closely to users’ voices while sharpening my skills to create apps that feel like a safe, comforting haven for everyone.