UX Work Collection
Sandbox ( Venture-Builder Program)
Summary
In-Depth
Designing for Impact in Uncertainty: Lessons from a Venture-Building Program
🔎 Overview
Project Type: Venture Builder Program
Duration: 8 months (2 semesters)
Role: Sole Product Designer (UX/UI, branding, marketing, no-code dev)
Team: Project Manager, Developer, Researcher
Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Wix, Google Slides
Worked across three early-stage startups in a university-led venture incubator. Each pivot taught me the value of validating real user problems before building solutions. My final project focused on teen digital wellness, where I led design, branding, content, and no-code development.
🌱 Context: Designing in the Unknown
The Sandbox Program
A university-integrated venture builder program pairing interdisciplinary student teams with real startup challenges. I collaborated with product managers, developers, and researchers to ideate, prototype, and launch startup solutions.
🔄 Early-Stage Pivots
Attempt 1: Loyalty MVP
Jumped into building without validating the core user need → low demand.
🧠Lesson: Validate before building.
Attempt 2: ACH Payments
Explored a fintech solution without domain knowledge → couldn’t define a clear user problem.
🧠Lesson: User research and domain fluency are critical.
💡 Final Pivot: Teen Digital Wellness
The Problem
Teens are increasingly overstimulated and isolated due to social media overuse. We aimed to promote screen-life balance through community, education, and offline connection.
Validation Methods:
User surveys
Focus groups
Feedback from educators and parents
The Solution
A digital wellness platform for teens, including:
Brand identity
5-module educational course
Summer campaign + challenge
Digital newspaper + print assets
Slack-based community
Wix website for engagement and access
🔑 My Contributions
1) Branding & Visual Identity
Created brand systems (Campfire sub-brand → independent black/yellow brand)
Designed logos, posters, stickers, course visuals
2) Course Design
Built a 5-part workshop (Google Slides, live delivery via Campfire)
Collaborated with researcher on content and tone
3) Summer Campaign: "Touch Grass Challenge"
Designed website, social posts, print newspaper
Supported offline behavior change and peer-led engagement on Slack
4) No-Code Website
Built and handed off a multi-page Wix site
Prioritized sustainability for a non-technical team
🛠 Tools I Used
Figma: wireframes, user flows, visual mockups
Illustrator & Photoshop: logo design, illustrations, campaign materials
Wix: no-code site build
Google Slides: workshop course delivery
🎯 Outcomes
Course launched in school districts via Campfire
Teens joined the summer Slack challenge
Positive feedback from students, parents, and educators
Deliverables still in use by the team
💬 Reflection
Validate early: Avoid wasting time on unverified problems
Design holistically: Align branding and UX across touchpoints
Design with empathy: Solutions for teens need to meet them where they are
📝 Final Thoughts
This journey wasn’t linear; it was winding, unpredictable, and real. That’s why it was valuable. It taught me to think critically, design intentionally, and create experiences that matter, even in chaos.
Summary
In-Depth
Designing for Impact in Uncertainty: Lessons from a Venture-Building Program
🔎 Overview
Project Type: Venture Builder Program
Duration: 8 months (2 semesters)
Role: Sole Product Designer (UX/UI, branding, marketing, no-code dev)
Team: Project Manager, Developer, Researcher
Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Wix, Google Slides
Worked across three early-stage startups in a university-led venture incubator. Each pivot taught me the value of validating real user problems before building solutions. My final project focused on teen digital wellness, where I led design, branding, content, and no-code development.
🌱 Context: Designing in the Unknown
The Sandbox Program
A university-integrated venture builder program pairing interdisciplinary student teams with real startup challenges. I collaborated with product managers, developers, and researchers to ideate, prototype, and launch startup solutions.
🔄 Early-Stage Pivots
Attempt 1: Loyalty MVP
Jumped into building without validating the core user need → low demand.
🧠Lesson: Validate before building.
Attempt 2: ACH Payments
Explored a fintech solution without domain knowledge → couldn’t define a clear user problem.
🧠Lesson: User research and domain fluency are critical.
💡 Final Pivot: Teen Digital Wellness
The Problem
Teens are increasingly overstimulated and isolated due to social media overuse. We aimed to promote screen-life balance through community, education, and offline connection.
Validation Methods:
User surveys
Focus groups
Feedback from educators and parents
The Solution
A digital wellness platform for teens, including:
Brand identity
5-module educational course
Summer campaign + challenge
Digital newspaper + print assets
Slack-based community
Wix website for engagement and access
🔑 My Contributions
1) Branding & Visual Identity
Created brand systems (Campfire sub-brand → independent black/yellow brand)
Designed logos, posters, stickers, course visuals
2) Course Design
Built a 5-part workshop (Google Slides, live delivery via Campfire)
Collaborated with researcher on content and tone
3) Summer Campaign: "Touch Grass Challenge"
Designed website, social posts, print newspaper
Supported offline behavior change and peer-led engagement on Slack
4) No-Code Website
Built and handed off a multi-page Wix site
Prioritized sustainability for a non-technical team
🛠 Tools I Used
Figma: wireframes, user flows, visual mockups
Illustrator & Photoshop: logo design, illustrations, campaign materials
Wix: no-code site build
Google Slides: workshop course delivery
🎯 Outcomes
Course launched in school districts via Campfire
Teens joined the summer Slack challenge
Positive feedback from students, parents, and educators
Deliverables still in use by the team
💬 Reflection
Validate early: Avoid wasting time on unverified problems
Design holistically: Align branding and UX across touchpoints
Design with empathy: Solutions for teens need to meet them where they are
📝 Final Thoughts
This journey wasn’t linear; it was winding, unpredictable, and real. That’s why it was valuable. It taught me to think critically, design intentionally, and create experiences that matter, even in chaos.
Sandbox
Olive Yuen