Knot

My role

I worked across the end-to-end process, from problem framing and research to concept development, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration.

My role

I worked across the end-to-end process, from problem framing and research to concept development, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration.

Timeline

Sep-Nov '25

Awards

Red Dot Award

Team

Independent Project

Timeline

Sep-Nov '25

Awards

Red Dot Award

Team

Independent Project

Timeline

Sep-Nov '25

Awards

Red Dot Award

Team

Independent Project

Making networking less random and more intentional.

The mission

Helping graduates navigate networking with less friction.

Networking can open doors to early-career opportunities, but many graduates are still unsure who to approach, how to start a conversation, and what to do afterward.

Project outcomes

Red Dot Design Concept Award 2026

76% Increase

Recognition for the overall concept.

Red Dot Design Concept Award 2026

Recognition for the overall concept.

Meet knot

Knot is a networking platform designed to make in-person networking more intentional from start to finish.

Networking isn’t a single moment—it’s a connection-building process. Knot supports users before, during, and after an event.

BEFORE THE EVENT

Know who to meet and what to talk about

Set networking goals, discover relevant professionals, and use shared interests as natural conversation starters.

DURING THE EVENT

Find the right people nearby

Discover nearby professionals, preview their profiles, and understand relevant context before approaching them.

AFTER THE EVENT

Keep the connection going

Revisit saved connections, remember context, and continue the relationship after the event.

Back to Why this matters

Around 70% of jobs in the U.S. are never publicly posted.

Networking plays a critical role in early-career opportunities, yet building meaningful professional connections is not always straightforward. I wanted to understand what happens throughout the networking experience and where the biggest challenges actually emerge.

Research through

20+ sources

Generative Research

20+ sources

Generative Research

9 participants

Interview

9 participants

Interview

3 platforms

Competitive Analysis

3 platforms

Competitive Analysis

100+ data points

Data Analysis

100+ data points

Data Analysis

INSIGHT 01

Graduates don't know who to prioritize before the event.

INSIGHT 02

Networking conversations feel random and unstrategic.

INSIGHT 03

Starting conversations carries real social friction.

INSIGHT 04

Promising connections often disappear after the event.

Defining the opportunity

The journey map showed that networking friction wasn’t isolated to a single moment—it appeared before, during, and after the event.

Design Process highlights

I designed over 50 screens, ran 3 rounds of user testing with 10+ participants, and iterated on the design based on feedback.

Final Design

Reflection

A small idea that stayed with me.

This project marks my final capstone at SCAD. During my time here, I’ve been really inspired by how professors and peers approach design—with so much creativity, curiosity, and imagination. It changed how I think about design, not just as problem-solving, but as a way to imagine what future experiences could look like.

Knot actually started from something very simple—just noticing how my friends and classmates struggle with networking. What began as a small idea slowly turned into a bigger question: what if networking didn’t have to feel this random or stressful?

As I kept working on the project, my thinking also started to shift. I began exploring how this idea could go beyond just one scenario, and how it might adapt to different situations. Even now, I’m still thinking about how to push this further especially how AI and new technologies could be part of the experience, and how this idea could expand into other areas beyond networking.

Last but not least, I’m still exploring where this idea could go next. If you have any ideas, let’s grab a coffee and chat.