Next - Self
Next - Self
Built an AI-driven career journey tool that transforms complex decisions into clear, engaging, and personalized experiences
Role:
UI & UX Design, User Research, Interaction Design
Team:
3 Designers
Timeline:
3 Days (Design Competition)
NEXT SELF
1065 × 500
NEXT SELF
No More What ifs
2025
FigBuild
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: Navigating futures
We identified a common struggle: Navigating futures
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.
The Superpower
The Superpower
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:
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?
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists.
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists.
If we knew how everything would turn out, we’d lose the magic of living through the twists.
Research
Research
Survey
Survey
To narrow down the problem scope, I launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types.
Here's what I found:
To narrow down the problem scope, I launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types.
Here's what I found:
To narrow down the problem scope, I launched a survey to validate assumptions and identify the most emotionally resonant decision types.
Here's what I found:
78.4% reflect on past decisions through internal reflection.
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.
60.8% struggle with making career decisions, resulting in a rushed-decision-making out of fear and pressure.
Interview
Interview
After narrowing the scope to career choices, I conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning and speculative AI systems in decision-making.
After narrowing the scope to career choices, I conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning and speculative AI systems in decision-making.
After narrowing the scope to career choices, I conducted interviews with 5 college students to understand their motivations, fears, and expectations around career planning and speculative AI systems in decision-making.
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
I synthesized recurring themes into actionable insights, ultimately helping us to develop feature wishlists for the solution.
I synthesized recurring themes into actionable insights, ultimately helping us to develop feature wishlists for the solution.
I 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
How might we help young adults explore and understand the outcomes of their career decisions while reducing anxiety and building confidence in their decisions?
How might we help young adults explore and understand the outcomes of their career decisions while reducing anxiety and building confidence in their decisions?
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
Next Self was our response: A tool that turns overwhelming possibilities into reflective journeys, 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 reflective journeys, 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 reflective journeys, helping users manage their power through emotional insight, structured simulations, and confidence-building reflection.
User Flow
User Flow
Wireframe
Wireframe
User Testing and Iterations
User Testing and Iterations
80%
80%
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, I added a personalized resources section that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, I added a personalized resources section that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
of users wanted tangible, relatable career outcomes. So, I added a personalized resources section that shows articles, podcasts, or paths shared by people with similar decisions.
90%
90%
of users felt the “Quantitative Mode” was too linear and prescriptive. I 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. I 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. I 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
For full product showcase, please view prototype on desktop
Decision Story Tree
The 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.
Impact
Impact
While we couldn’t measure traditional success metrics (since the product is speculative), we validated the core idea through usability testing.
The 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.
The 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.
The feedback affirmed the emotional design direction we took.
What users said:
"The process felt emotionally supportive and clear."
What users said:
"The process felt emotionally supportive and clear."
What users said:
"This is something I wish had existed when I was choosing my major."
What users said:
"This is something I wish had existed when I was choosing my major."
Real-World Limitations
Real-World Limitations
VR Accessibility
Requires deep testing: motion issues, cognitive load, or hardware equity.
VR Accessibility
Requires deep testing: motion issues, cognitive load, or hardware equity.
VR Accessibility
Requires deep testing: motion issues, cognitive load, or hardware equity.
Content and tone scalability
Demands robust writing guidelines: every outcome must feel emotionally intelligent.
Content and tone scalability
Demands robust writing guidelines: every outcome must feel emotionally intelligent.
Content and tone scalability
Demands robust writing guidelines: every outcome must feel emotionally intelligent.
Overdependence risk
Design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
Overdependence risk
Design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
Overdependence risk
Design must subtly guide users toward self-trust rather than passive dependence.
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.
Storytelling
Designing with logic, motivated by detail, building with heart.
Storytelling
Designing with logic, motivated by detail, building with heart.
