Classmade
Classmade is a student SNS platform and passion portfolio that helps middle and high school students build verified profiles, earn academy endorsements, and present pitch decks to educators and partner organizations. Designed end-to-end gamified level progression and partner badging ecosystems.
🚀 Case Study: Classmade — Student Social Network & Passion Platform
Project Title: Classmade – Student SNS & Passion Portfolio Platform
Role: Lead UI/UX Designer
Platform: Web & Mobile Responsive SNS Platform
Tools: Adobe XD, Figma, Wireframing, User Journey Mapping, Gamification & System Logic
Key Focus: EdTech, Gamified User Retention, Gamification Systems, Partner & Badge Ecosystem
💼 Project Overview
Classmade is a professional SNS platform designed specifically for middle and high school students to explore, document, and showcase their passions. The platform bridges the gap between students, educators, academic institutions, and corporate partners by helping students build comprehensive portfolios, earn school endorsements, and participate in events like the Passion Pitch Festival.
As the Lead UI/UX Designer, I architected user flows for student engagement, designed gamified level/credit progression systems, built student profile structures, and created the Partner Badge Ecosystem.
🎯 The Challenge
Unlocking Student Potential: Middle and high school students often lack structured digital tools to express their extracurricular achievements and future ambitions.
Engagement & Progression: Motivating young students to complete their profiles and remain active on an academic platform.
Partner & Institutional Recognition: Designing a seamless authentication and badging ecosystem that highlights affiliated schools and corporate sponsors on student profiles.
💡 Key Features & UI/UX Solutions Designed
1. Gamified Profile Levels & Credit System
The Solution: Designed a 4-tier level progression framework (The Beginner → The Meager → The Achiever → The Dreamer) that rewards students with points/credits for completing profile sections and social interactions.
Impact: Earned points allow students to receive direct school endorsements from their dream academies.
Level Tier | Requirements / Tasks | Goal |
The Beginner | Add Cover photo, Highlight photo/video | First step in profile creation. |
The Meager | Add Portfolio items, Connect with peers, Review connections | Build early engagement & network. |
The Achiever | Log Curricular achievements, Write Personal Statement | Showcase academic & activity track record. |
The Dreamer | Complete Passion Pitch Deck, Set Dream School & Target Course | Certify college readiness & future direction. |
2. Passion Pitch Festival & Deck Builder
The Solution: Designed an interactive 6-page Pitch Deck builder allowing students to present their Past, Present, and Future ambitions (Who am I, Inspiration, Current Projects, Future 3–5 Year Vision).
UX Purpose: Provides a structured, 6 to 12-minute presentation format used in physical and digital events to connect students with educators, parents, and corporate judges.
3. Classmade Partner Badge Ecosystem
The Solution: Created a student authentication and badging flow during sign-up that displays affiliated partner/organization badges directly on student profiles.
Behavioral Goal: Drives student interest in partner organizations while promoting corporate sponsors across the Classmade community.
⚙️ The Design Process
User Persona & Task Analysis: Modeled core journeys around student personas (e.g., Ben Sy, 13, self-taught student looking for online platforms to hone his craft).
Gamification & Progression Mapping: Structured step-by-step task requirements to convert casual sign-ups into fully verified, endorsement-ready profiles.
Information Architecture & UI Design: Layout design for student portfolios, activity feeds, connection lists, and partner organization badging.
Interactive Prototyping: Built high-fidelity prototypes in Adobe XD mapping student onboarding, partner authentication, and deck building.
📈 Key Outcomes & Impact
Structured Expression: Created an easy-to-use platform enabling students to articulate their passions to universities and future employers.
Ecosystem Engagement: Connected students, parents, educators, and institutional partners in a shared event and digital SNS ecosystem.
Scalable Gamification: Built a repeatable credit/streak system that incentivizes long-term platform activity.
Empowering the Next Generation Through Design
Classmade demonstrates how thoughtful UI/UX and gamification can transform traditional student profiles into engaging, opportunity-building digital experiences.
