NEXT SELF
1065 × 500
NEXT SELF
No More What ifs
2025
FigBuild
NEXT-SELF
NEXT-SELF
NEXT-SELF
A mobile-first simulation tool designed to help young adults explore life decisions through structured AI-powered storytelling. Focused on emotion-driven UX, intuitive navigation, and reflection as a core feature.
A mobile-first simulation tool designed to help young adults explore life decisions through structured AI-powered storytelling. Focused on emotion-driven UX, intuitive navigation, and reflection as a core feature.
A mobile-first simulation tool designed to help young adults explore life decisions through structured AI-powered storytelling. Focused on emotion-driven UX, intuitive navigation, and reflection as a core feature.
ROLE
UX Design
UX Research
Interaction Design
ROLE
UX Design
UX Research
Interaction Design
ROLE
UX Design
UX Research
Interaction Design
TEAM
Working with 3 Designers
TEAM
Working with 3 Designers
TEAM
Working with 3 Designers
TIMELINE
3 Days Design Jam (FigBuild 2025)
TIMELINE
3 Days Design Jam (FigBuild 2025)
TIMELINE
3 Days Design Jam (FigBuild 2025)
View Prototype
2025
2025
FigBuild
FigBuild
Background
Background
Background
For FigBuild 2025, our challenge was to imagine a world where people wake up with a superpower that solves a real-life pain point—while also designing a system to manage that power responsibly.
For FigBuild 2025, our challenge was to imagine a world where people wake up with a superpower that solves a real-life pain point—while also designing a system to manage that power responsibly.
For FigBuild 2025, our challenge was to imagine a world where people wake up with a superpower that solves a real-life pain point—while also designing a system to manage that power responsibly.
We identified a common struggle:
We identified a common struggle:
We identified a common struggle:
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
Studies show that 39% of Gen Z individuals consistently feel uncertain about the future, with an equal percentage feeling anxious about important decisions.
Studies show that 39% of Gen Z individuals consistently feel uncertain about the future, with an equal percentage feeling anxious about important decisions.
Studies show that 39% of Gen Z individuals consistently feel uncertain about the future, with an equal percentage feeling anxious about important decisions.
This pervasive uncertainty underscores the need for tools that provide clarity and support in life planning.
This pervasive uncertainty underscores the need for tools that provide clarity and support in life planning.
This pervasive uncertainty underscores the need for tools that provide clarity and support in life planning.
The Superpower
The Superpower
The Superpower
Power
Power
Power
Imagine if you could simulate your decisions, not to know why they happened, but to see how they might unfold.
Imagine if you could simulate your decisions, not to know why they happened, but to see how they might unfold.
Imagine if you could simulate your decisions, not to know why they happened, but to see how they might unfold.
Limits
Limits
Limits
You won’t see why something happens, only what happens.
You won’t see why something happens, only what happens.
You won’t see why something happens, only what happens.
Why?
Why?
Why?
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists, turns, and surprises that shape who we are.
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists, turns, and surprises that shape who we are.
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists, turns, and surprises that shape who we are.
Research
Research
Research
Survey
Survey
Survey
To narrow our problem scope, we launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types. Here's what we found:
To narrow our problem scope, we launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types. Here's what we found:
To narrow our problem scope, we launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types. Here's what we found:
78.4% reflect on past decisions through internal reflection
60.8% struggle with making career decisions, resulting in a rushed decision-making out of fear and pressure.
Data from 51 Respondent aged 18-25
Career
60.8%
Relationships
49%
Finances
39.2%
Health
23.5%
Internal Reflection
78.4%
Talking to mentors or friends
51%
Therapy
17.6%
Journalling
13.7%
Interview
Interview
Interview
After narrowing our scope to career choices, we conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand:
Their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning
Their reactions to speculative AI systems in decision-support
These helped shape the tone of our product and the emotional layers of our experience.
After narrowing our scope to career choices, we conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand:
Their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning
Their reactions to speculative AI systems in decision-support
These helped shape the tone of our product and the emotional layers of our experience.
After narrowing our scope to career choices, we conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand:
Their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning
Their reactions to speculative AI systems in decision-support
These helped shape the tone of our product and the emotional layers of our experience.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Passive and repetitive over time and Lacks real-time feedback
Users lack trust on AI’s decision making.
Lack realism, data-backed career impact, or emotional nuance.
Static or rigid session formats
Combine emotional tracking with future-focused career planning
More contextual advices, without over interpreting user data
Merge entertainment and evidence-based advide
Long-term trajectory visualization and actionable steps
Journaling
Apps
AI
Companions
Simulation
Games
Career Fit
Assesments
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Easy to use, habit forming, and emotionally supportive
Low costs and provide timely support
Highly engaging and let users explore life paths without real-world risk.
Data-driven recommendations and focuses on personal interests, skills, values.
Passive and repetitive over time and Lacks real-time feedback
Users lack trust on AI’s decision making.
Lack realism, data-backed career impact, or emotional nuance.
Static or rigid session formats
Combine emotional tracking with future-focused career planning
More contextual advices, without over interpreting user data
Merge entertainment and evidence-based advide
Long-term trajectory visualization and actionable steps
Journaling
Apps
AI
Companions
Simulation
Games
Career Fit
Assesments
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Easy to use, habit forming, and emotionally supportive
Low costs and provide timely support
Highly engaging and let users explore life paths without real-world risk.
Data-driven recommendations and focuses on personal interests, skills, values.
Passive and repetitive over time and Lacks real-time feedback
Users lack trust on AI’s decision making.
Lack realism, data-backed career impact, or emotional nuance.
Static or rigid session formats
Combine emotional tracking with future-focused career planning
More contextual advices, without over interpreting user data
Merge entertainment and evidence-based advide
Long-term trajectory visualization and actionable steps
Journaling
Apps
AI
Companions
Simulation
Games
Career Fit
Assesments
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Easy to use, habit forming, and emotionally supportive
Low costs and provide timely support
Highly engaging and let users explore life paths without real-world risk.
Data-driven recommendations and focuses on personal interests, skills, values.
Key Insights
Key Insights
Key Insights
We synthesized recurring themes into actionable insights, ultimately helping us to develop feature wishlists for the solution.
We synthesized recurring themes into actionable insights, ultimately helping us to develop feature wishlists for the solution.
We synthesized recurring themes into actionable insights, ultimately helping us to develop feature wishlists for the solution.
Preference of emotionally attuned and visually rich vs data-forward, step-by-step.
Preference of emotionally attuned and visually rich vs data-forward, step-by-step.
Preference of emotionally attuned and visually rich vs data-forward, step-by-step.
Supportive, neutral, and not ordering model
Supportive, neutral, and not ordering model
Supportive, neutral, and not ordering model
Answers that may be stressful, triggering, or unaligned with the user’s value may cause the user to quit using it
Answers that may be stressful, triggering, or unaligned with the user’s value may cause the user to quit using it
Answers that may be stressful, triggering, or unaligned with the user’s value may cause the user to quit using it
Balance between reality and power, detailed enough but not overstimulating
Balance between reality and power, detailed enough but not overstimulating
Balance between reality and power, detailed enough but not overstimulating
System is not dependent or addictive
System is not dependent or addictive
System is not dependent or addictive
Quantitative measurements could be an option; with clear information on how the system measures it
Quantitative measurements could be an option; with clear information on how the system measures it
Quantitative measurements could be an option; with clear information on how the system measures it
Need something like an AI to help them think about things to consider before making decisions
Need something like an AI to help them think about things to consider before making decisions
Need something like an AI to help them think about things to consider before making decisions
Need accuracy of the Result/ Potential
Need accuracy of the Result/ Potential
Need accuracy of the Result/ Potential
Existing systems are often too impersonal, academic, or one-dimensional to help students holistically
Existing systems are often too impersonal, academic, or one-dimensional to help students holistically
Existing systems are often too impersonal, academic, or one-dimensional to help students holistically
Reflective: Helps process the emotional weight of decisions and building confidence
Reflective: Helps process the emotional weight of decisions and building confidence
Reflective: Helps process the emotional weight of decisions and building confidence
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
How might we help young adults explore and understand the long-term outcomes of their career decisions to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and support more intentional choices?
How might we help young adults explore and understand the long-term outcomes of their career decisions to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and support more intentional choices?
How might we help young adults explore and understand the long-term outcomes of their career decisions to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and support more intentional choices?
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
Next Self was our response—a tool that turns overwhelming possibilities into grounded self-reflection—helping users manage their power through emotional insight, structured simulations, and confidence-building reflection.
Next Self was our response—a tool that turns overwhelming possibilities into grounded self-reflection—helping users manage their power through emotional insight, structured simulations, and confidence-building reflection.
Next Self was our response—a tool that turns overwhelming possibilities into grounded self-reflection—helping users manage their power through emotional insight, structured simulations, and confidence-building reflection.
User Flow
User Flow
User Flow
Wireframe
Wireframe
Wireframe
User Testing and Iterations
User Testing and Iterations
User Testing and Iterations
From testing with users, we learned:
From testing with users, we learned:
From testing with users, we learned:
80%
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, we added a personalized resources section in the reflection screen that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, we added a personalized resources section in the reflection screen that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, we added a personalized resources section in the reflection screen that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
90%
of users felt the “Quantitative Mode” was too linear and prescriptive. We removed it and simplified the system to Supportive and Mentor modes—focusing on tone, not output format.
of users felt the “Quantitative Mode” was too linear and prescriptive. We removed it and simplified the system to Supportive and Mentor modes—focusing on tone, not output format.
of users felt the “Quantitative Mode” was too linear and prescriptive. We removed it and simplified the system to Supportive and Mentor modes—focusing on tone, not output format.
Quantitative Mode
Simplified to
2 modes
New resources section
For full product showcase, please view prototype on desktop
Decision Story Tree
Our interactive story tree lets users trace their prior simulations, see how choices unfolded, and reflect on how different paths connect across time
AI Tone Mode
Two guidance styles—Supportive or Mentor. Users choose the tone that fits their emotional needs.
Emotional Recaps
Summarizes how each decision affects the user emotionally—before and after simulation.
Reflection Page
A required step before new simulations. Helps users process outcomes, explore real-life stories, and revisit past decisions.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
While we couldn’t measure traditional success metrics (since the product is speculative), we validated the core idea through usability testing.
Participants described the experience as “emotionally supportive,” “clarifying,” and “something I wish existed when I was choosing my major.” That feedback affirmed the emotional design direction we took.
While we couldn’t measure traditional success metrics (since the product is speculative), we validated the core idea through usability testing.
Participants described the experience as “emotionally supportive,” “clarifying,” and “something I wish existed when I was choosing my major.” That feedback affirmed the emotional design direction we took.
While we couldn’t measure traditional success metrics (since the product is speculative), we validated the core idea through usability testing.
Participants described the experience as “emotionally supportive,” “clarifying,” and “something I wish existed when I was choosing my major.” That feedback affirmed the emotional design direction we took.
Real-World Limitations
Real-World Limitations
Real-World Limitations
VR Accessibility
Extending the experience to immersive formats like VR would require deeper testing—especially to avoid motion sickness, cognitive overload, and device access inequity.
VR Accessibility
Extending the experience to immersive formats like VR would require deeper testing—especially to avoid motion sickness, cognitive overload, and device access inequity.
VR Accessibility
Extending the experience to immersive formats like VR would require deeper testing—especially to avoid motion sickness, cognitive overload, and device access inequity.
Content & Tone Scalability
Maintaining a non-directive, emotionally intelligent tone across simulation outcomes would demand extensive writing systems, scenario testing, and cross-disciplinary content design.
Content & Tone Scalability
Maintaining a non-directive, emotionally intelligent tone across simulation outcomes would demand extensive writing systems, scenario testing, and cross-disciplinary content design.
Content & Tone Scalability
Maintaining a non-directive, emotionally intelligent tone across simulation outcomes would demand extensive writing systems, scenario testing, and cross-disciplinary content design.
Overdependence Risk
There's a risk that users may rely too heavily on simulated outcomes. The design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
Overdependence Risk
There's a risk that users may rely too heavily on simulated outcomes. The design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
Overdependence Risk
There's a risk that users may rely too heavily on simulated outcomes. The design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
✨What I Learned
✨What I Learned
✨What I Learned
🧠 AI is a tool, not a shortcut
🧠 AI is a tool, not a shortcut
🧠 AI is a tool, not a shortcut
Tools like Midjourney, FigJam AI, and GPT helped us move fast—but only because we used them thoughtfully to support creativity, not replace it.
Tools like Midjourney, FigJam AI, and GPT helped us move fast—but only because we used them thoughtfully to support creativity, not replace it.
Tools like Midjourney, FigJam AI, and GPT helped us move fast—but only because we used them thoughtfully to support creativity, not replace it.
⏱️ Pressure sharpens focus
⏱️ Pressure sharpens focus
⏱️ Pressure sharpens focus
Two hours before the deadline, a teammate had to stepped away, leaving the slides unfinished. I focused, reprioritized, and led final delivery to keep us on track. Make clarity the priority, not perfection.
Two hours before the deadline, a teammate had to stepped away, leaving the slides unfinished. I focused, reprioritized, and led final delivery to keep us on track. Make clarity the priority, not perfection.
Two hours before the deadline, a teammate had to stepped away, leaving the slides unfinished. I focused, reprioritized, and led final delivery to keep us on track. Make clarity the priority, not perfection.
📊 Never compromising on data
📊 Never compromising on data
📊 Never compromising on data
Even with time pressure, we tested and iterated. Removing features like the quantitative mode wasn’t guesswork—it was grounded in feedback.
Even with time pressure, we tested and iterated. Removing features like the quantitative mode wasn’t guesswork—it was grounded in feedback.
Even with time pressure, we tested and iterated. Removing features like the quantitative mode wasn’t guesswork—it was grounded in feedback.
🤝 Shared goals = better collaboratorion
🤝 Shared goals = better
collaboratorion
🤝 Shared goals = better
collaboratorion
Despite juggling tasks, knowing we were all aiming to win helped us stay aligned, step in for each other, and make decisions not based on ego, but on what would move the team forward.
Despite juggling tasks, knowing we were all aiming to win helped us stay aligned, step in for each other, and make decisions not based on ego, but on what would move the team forward.
Despite juggling tasks, knowing we were all aiming to win helped us stay aligned, step in for each other, and make decisions not based on ego, but on what would move the team forward.
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