Status: Ongoing | Started Feb 2024 | Phase: Design Refinement

A next-generation readiness platform designed for the Air Force Reserve, with commercial crossover applications.

Overview

Problem

Reservists and squadron leaders struggle to manage readiness across disjointed systems and manual processes.

Role

Lead product designer from user research through system integration; collaborate with developers, leadership, and testers.

Solution

Designed LINX, an all-in-one readiness platform focused on role-based workflows, data visibility, and streamlined coordination.

Impact (So Far)

Achieved key stakeholder buy-in, accelerated development with clear UX direction, and supported readiness simulations ahead of rollout.

Project Phases

    • Identified core friction points based on prior user research.

    • Analyzed current UI to determine areas for improvement.

    • Created low-fidelity wireframes for mobile and desktop portal.

    • Aligned designs with customer needs and technical constraints.

    • Developed first clickable prototype.

    • Conducted system walkthroughs with service providers, squadron admins, and airmen.

    • Applied user feedback to improve system design.

    • Led testing sessions across roles, groups, and squadrons.

    • Preparing launch scenarios and simulation experiences.

    • Finalizing permission hierarchies, user flows, and system design.

Conducting user testing with Air Force Reservists

Conducting user testing with Air Force Reservists

A view of the live system

A view of the live system

Analyzing initial research to better understand the problem

Analyzing initial research to better understand the problem

Ideating and wireframing design improvements

Ideating and wireframing design improvements

Role Evolution

Product Design Lead

Started with improving product design based on prior user research. → Now overseeing end-to-end experience, team alignment, conducting user research and testing, and UI implementation across web and mobile.

Impact

  • Helped unlock buy-in from leadership by visualizing role-based dashboards.

  • Enabled developers to fast-track backend structure with detailed UI specs.

  • Received positive validation during testing: “This would save me hours every UTA.” - Squadron Admin

Annotated system screenshot, accompanied by a video walkthrough explanation to communicate design improvements to the development team.

What’s Next

  • Finalizing role-based onboarding and readiness dashboards

  • Expanding system to support multi-industry commercial use cases

  • Collaborating with cross-functional team on deployment strategy

Readiness dashboard–design improvements in progress