Maru
Maru is a streamlined messaging and networking platform designed to help students connect, communicate, and collaborate all in one place
Timeline
1 month
Service
App Development
Client
Class Project
Tools
Figma
UX Team
UX Team
4 UX Designers
4 UX Designers
Primary: University students seeking career guidance, peers, mentorship
Secondary: Alumni, campus recruiters, and career centers
Tertiary: Student organizations running events or peer mentorship programs
Primary: University students seeking career guidance, peers, mentorship
Secondary: Alumni, campus recruiters, and career centers
Tertiary: Student organizations running events or peer mentorship programs
Problem
Problem
Students and alumni often jump between LinkedIn, Handshake, Zoom, and Google Calendar just to meet one person. This creates friction, lost opportunities, and low engagement.
Students and alumni often jump between LinkedIn, Handshake, Zoom, and Google Calendar just to meet one person. This creates friction, lost opportunities, and low engagement.
Lack of personal, school-centered networking
Fragmented communication across multiple apps
Difficulty scheduling conversations with peers, alumni, and recruiters
Low confidence and structure in networking for college students
Lack of personal, school-centered networking
Fragmented communication across multiple apps
Difficulty scheduling conversations with peers, alumni, and recruiters
Low confidence and structure in networking for college students
Solution
Solution
Audience
Audience
Maru
Maru
Overview
Overview
Maru is a university-centered networking app that combines chat, recommended connections, calendar integration, and coffee-chat scheduling into one unified platform. It was designed to reduce the fragmentation students face when networking professionally.
Maru is a university-centered networking app that combines chat, recommended connections, calendar integration, and coffee-chat scheduling into one unified platform. It was designed to reduce the fragmentation students face when networking professionally.
Background
Background
TOOLS:
TOOLS:
Figma
Figma
TIMELINE:
TIMELINE:
1 month
1 month
ROLE
ROLE
App Design
(UX/UI)
App Design
(UX/UI)
Our Process:
Our Process:
Empathize Research Ideate Prototype Develop
Empathize Research Ideate Prototype Develop
Empathize Research Ideate Prototype Develop
Across all interviewees, professional networking platforms—especially LinkedIn—are widely viewed as performative, unreliable, and impersonal. Users feel the platforms encourage “professional bragging” and exaggerated inspirational posts rather than genuine networking.
Across all interviewees, professional networking platforms—especially LinkedIn—are widely viewed as performative, unreliable, and impersonal. Users feel the platforms encourage “professional bragging” and exaggerated inspirational posts rather than genuine networking.
Across all interviewees, professional networking platforms—especially LinkedIn—are widely viewed as performative, unreliable, and impersonal. Users feel the platforms encourage “professional bragging” and exaggerated inspirational posts rather than genuine networking.
01 - Empathize
01 - Empathize
Overall Sentiment
Overall Sentiment
Key Insights
Key Insights
Content Feels Inauthentic
LinkedIn posts often feel overly curated or performative, making networking seem transactional rather than genuine.
Job Postings Are Unreliable
Users doubt postings are actively reviewed or meaningful, and “Easy Apply” rarely leads to responses.
Poor Communication & Ghosting
Applicants rarely hear back from employers, creating frustration and uncertainty.
Cold Outreach Is Ineffective
Messaging or emailing potential connections rarely leads to responses, limiting meaningful networking.
Interface & Navigation Issues
Platforms like Handshake and Indeed are cluttered, repetitive, or confusing, making it hard to track opportunities.
Audience Misalignment
Some majors (e.g., medical or life sciences) find limited value, relying more on grades, research, or direct outreach.
Networking Happens Rarely
Most users mainly track experience or view updates; active networking is uncommon
Content Feels Inauthentic
LinkedIn posts often feel overly curated or performative, making networking seem transactional rather than genuine.
Job Postings Are Unreliable
Users doubt postings are actively reviewed or meaningful, and “Easy Apply” rarely leads to responses.
Poor Communication & Ghosting
Applicants rarely hear back from employers, creating frustration and uncertainty.
Cold Outreach Is Ineffective
Messaging or emailing potential connections rarely leads to responses, limiting meaningful networking.
Interface & Navigation Issues
Platforms like Handshake and Indeed are cluttered, repetitive, or confusing, making it hard to track opportunities.
Audience Misalignment
Some majors (e.g., medical or life sciences) find limited value, relying more on grades, research, or direct outreach.
Networking Happens Rarely
Most users mainly track experience or view updates; active networking is uncommon
Content Feels Inauthentic
LinkedIn posts often feel overly curated or performative, making networking seem transactional rather than genuine.
Job Postings Are Unreliable
Users doubt postings are actively reviewed or meaningful, and “Easy Apply” rarely leads to responses.
Poor Communication & Ghosting
Applicants rarely hear back from employers, creating frustration and uncertainty.
Cold Outreach Is Ineffective
Messaging or emailing potential connections rarely leads to responses, limiting meaningful networking.
Interface & Navigation Issues
Platforms like Handshake and Indeed are cluttered, repetitive, or confusing, making it hard to track opportunities.
Audience Misalignment
Some majors (e.g., medical or life sciences) find limited value, relying more on grades, research, or direct outreach.
Networking Happens Rarely
Most users mainly track experience or view updates; active networking is uncommon
Check Out My Other Projects !!
02 - Research
02 - Research
Beeper
A universal chat app that combines multiple messaging platforms. Our platform similarly centralizes communication, but is tailored to Binghamton students, alumni, and recruiters, with added video calls and built-in scheduling tools.
A professional networking platform for job searching and recruiter outreach. Unlike LinkedIn, our app keeps messaging, scheduling, and productivity tools in one place, removing the need to switch between apps.
Handshake
A job platform exclusive to university students. We adopt this school-specific model, focusing solely on Binghamton University to create a more relevant and trusted network.
Google Calendar
A productivity and scheduling tool. Our platform streamlines the current LinkedIn → email → calendar → meeting workflow by integrating scheduling, tasks, messaging, and calls into one system.
Beeper
A universal chat app that combines multiple messaging platforms. Our platform similarly centralizes communication, but is tailored to Binghamton students, alumni, and recruiters, with added video calls and built-in scheduling tools.
A professional networking platform for job searching and recruiter outreach. Unlike LinkedIn, our app keeps messaging, scheduling, and productivity tools in one place, removing the need to switch between apps.
Handshake
A job platform exclusive to university students. We adopt this school-specific model, focusing solely on Binghamton University to create a more relevant and trusted network.
Google Calendar
A productivity and scheduling tool. Our platform streamlines the current LinkedIn → email → calendar → meeting workflow by integrating scheduling, tasks, messaging, and calls into one system.
Beeper
A universal chat app that combines multiple messaging platforms. Our platform similarly centralizes communication, but is tailored to Binghamton students, alumni, and recruiters, with added video calls and built-in scheduling tools.
A professional networking platform for job searching and recruiter outreach. Unlike LinkedIn, our app keeps messaging, scheduling, and productivity tools in one place, removing the need to switch between apps.
Handshake
A job platform exclusive to university students. We adopt this school-specific model, focusing solely on Binghamton University to create a more relevant and trusted network.
Google Calendar
A productivity and scheduling tool. Our platform streamlines the current LinkedIn → email → calendar → meeting workflow by integrating scheduling, tasks, messaging, and calls into one system.
03 - Ideate
03 - Ideate
User Personas
User Personas
Based on our research, we recognized that there were 4 key user types that our product tried to solve problems for. We mainly focused on Persona 1 since their need was the greatest.
Based on our research, we recognized that there were 4 key user types that our product tried to solve problems for. We mainly focused on Persona 1 since their need was the greatest.
Based on our research, we recognized that there were 4 key user types that our product tried to solve problems for. We mainly focused on Persona 1 since their need was the greatest.
04 - Prototype
04 - Prototype
Wireframe Designs
Wireframe Designs
Brand Design
Brand Design
We began by mapping user flows to ensure all features were logically organized. Wireframes were designed to reflect the rounded, friendly aesthetic of the brand while keeping screens simple and uncluttered. Iterative testing focused on spacing, hierarchy, and clarity, ensuring the interface could accommodate multiple features without overwhelming users.
We began by mapping user flows to ensure all features were logically organized. Wireframes were designed to reflect the rounded, friendly aesthetic of the brand while keeping screens simple and uncluttered. Iterative testing focused on spacing, hierarchy, and clarity, ensuring the interface could accommodate multiple features without overwhelming users.
We began by mapping user flows to ensure all features were logically organized. Wireframes were designed to reflect the rounded, friendly aesthetic of the brand while keeping screens simple and uncluttered. Iterative testing focused on spacing, hierarchy, and clarity, ensuring the interface could accommodate multiple features without overwhelming users.
We selected softer colors to reflect a friendly and playful aesthetic. Our primary font (Kodachasan) was chosen for its rounded shapes, while our secondary font (Zen Maru Gothic) complements it with a thin, rounded form, aligning perfectly with our overall design inspiration and reinforcing the approachable, welcoming feel of the brand.
We selected softer colors to reflect a friendly and playful aesthetic. Our primary font (Kodachasan) was chosen for its rounded shapes, while our secondary font (Zen Maru Gothic) complements it with a thin, rounded form, aligning perfectly with our overall design inspiration and reinforcing the approachable, welcoming feel of the brand.
We selected softer colors to reflect a friendly and playful aesthetic. Our primary font (Kodachasan) was chosen for its rounded shapes, while our secondary font (Zen Maru Gothic) complements it with a thin, rounded form, aligning perfectly with our overall design inspiration and reinforcing the approachable, welcoming feel of the brand.
05 - Develop
05 - Develop
Designs
Designs
Log-In Page
Log-In Page
Homepage
Homepage
Mail Inbox
Mail Inbox
Composing Chat & Chat UI
Composing Chat & Chat UI
Calendar
Calendar
Research showed students find current networking platforms performative, overwhelming, and fragmented. Inspired by “Maru,” the Japanese circle symbolizing completeness, we created a rounded, minimalist design system with soft colors to feel welcoming. We simplified our visuals from four circles to three—symbolizing luck, harmony, and safety—to reflect the supportive, streamlined experience users needed.
Research showed students find current networking platforms performative, overwhelming, and fragmented. Inspired by “Maru,” the Japanese circle symbolizing completeness, we created a rounded, minimalist design system with soft colors to feel welcoming. We simplified our visuals from four circles to three—symbolizing luck, harmony, and safety—to reflect the supportive, streamlined experience users needed.
The login page follows our Maru design system, using rounded shapes and soft colors to create a friendly, welcoming first impression. It follows a simple sign up page that allows users to log in with an existing account or sign up.
The login page follows our Maru design system, using rounded shapes and soft colors to create a friendly, welcoming first impression. It follows a simple sign up page that allows users to log in with an existing account or sign up.
The login page follows our Maru design system, using rounded shapes and soft colors to create a friendly, welcoming first impression. It follows a simple sign up page that allows users to log in with an existing account or sign up.
The homepage is a multi-feature dashboard that balances productivity and personal organization. The design prioritizes visual comfort and clarity, making it easy to track commitments and manage networking in one streamlined, approachable interface.
The homepage is a multi-feature dashboard that balances productivity and personal organization. The design prioritizes visual comfort and clarity, making it easy to track commitments and manage networking in one streamlined, approachable interface.
The homepage is a multi-feature dashboard that balances productivity and personal organization. The design prioritizes visual comfort and clarity, making it easy to track commitments and manage networking in one streamlined, approachable interface.
The inbox page is designed for efficient communication and organization. The layout allows easy categorization, direct access, and maintains visual comfort, helping users manage messages quickly and clearly.
The inbox page is designed for efficient communication and organization. The layout allows easy categorization, direct access, and maintains visual comfort, helping users manage messages quickly and clearly.
The inbox page is designed for efficient communication and organization. The layout allows easy categorization, direct access, and maintains visual comfort, helping users manage messages quickly and clearly.
The composing chat page is built for efficient and organized communication. This layout reduces clutter, supports fast navigation, and allows users to prioritize and switch between conversations smoothly.
The composing chat page is built for efficient and organized communication. This layout reduces clutter, supports fast navigation, and allows users to prioritize and switch between conversations smoothly.
The composing chat page is built for efficient and organized communication. This layout reduces clutter, supports fast navigation, and allows users to prioritize and switch between conversations smoothly.
The networking page is designed to simplify connections and scheduling. This layout makes networking intuitive, allowing users to discover contacts, connect, and schedule meetings efficiently.
The networking page is designed to simplify connections and scheduling. This layout makes networking intuitive, allowing users to discover contacts, connect, and schedule meetings efficiently.
The networking page is designed to simplify connections and scheduling. This layout makes networking intuitive, allowing users to discover contacts, connect, and schedule meetings efficiently.
The calendar page centralizes events, tasks, and reminders for efficient planning. This design helps users organize schedules, avoid conflicts, and manage logistics without switching apps, supporting smooth planning and communication.
The calendar page centralizes events, tasks, and reminders for efficient planning. This design helps users organize schedules, avoid conflicts, and manage logistics without switching apps, supporting smooth planning and communication.
The calendar page centralizes events, tasks, and reminders for efficient planning. This design helps users organize schedules, avoid conflicts, and manage logistics without switching apps, supporting smooth planning and communication.
The chat interface focuses on direct, actionable communication. The design combines messaging with productivity, making interactions approachable, efficient, and visually comfortable.
The chat interface focuses on direct, actionable communication. The design combines messaging with productivity, making interactions approachable, efficient, and visually comfortable.
The chat interface focuses on direct, actionable communication. The design combines messaging with productivity, making interactions approachable, efficient, and visually comfortable.
Research showed students find current networking platforms performative, overwhelming, and fragmented. Inspired by “Maru,” the Japanese circle symbolizing completeness, we created a rounded, minimalist design system with soft colors to feel welcoming. We simplified our visuals from four circles to three—symbolizing luck, harmony, and safety—to reflect the supportive, streamlined experience users needed.
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