How I Designed a Resume Builder App integrating LLM AI Model.
Introduction
I joined AntCreatives, a software development agency, for my UI/UX design internship with the exciting opportunity to work on this innovative project. My role was to design an intuitive, engaging user interface and ensure a seamless user experience. I approached the challenge by keeping the end-users' needs front and centre.
Curriculo, a mobile resume builder app, was designed to solve this problem by leveraging an AI-powered language learning model (LLM) to assist users in crafting personalised and impactful resumes.
Context and Constraints
Situation: Client-driven Project with Limited Research and Deliverable Constraints
Curriculo was a client-driven project with specific constraints. The client had a clear vision for a resume builder app powered by AI, but due to the project’s scope and timeline, I was not able to conduct any formal user research or validation to explore the potential for alternative ideas. Additionally, the deliverables were strictly defined: while the primary product was a mobile application, only a single landing page was to be developed for the web view, with no further web-based functionality and solely used for marketing and SEO optimisation purposes.
These constraints presented unique challenges, particularly when designing a cohesive user experience across both platforms. While I couldn’t conduct research, I took the initiative to study competitors in the resume-building space, analysing their offerings and identifying common pain points. This allowed me to incorporate best practices into the design while still adhering to the project’s scope.
My Role and Contributions
Task: Leading the UI/UX Design for Curriculo.
As the UI/UX designer on this project, my primary responsibility was to ensure the app delivered a smooth and intuitive user experience while making full use of the AI-driven features. My specific tasks included:
Wireframing and Prototyping: I sketched out low-fidelity wireframes to map the user flow and then created high-fidelity prototypes using Figma to visualise the design.
User Interface Design: I designed the interface to be minimal and user-friendly, ensuring that even users unfamiliar with resume building could easily navigate the app.
Collaborating with Developers: I worked closely with the development team to ensure that my designs were implemented accurately and that the AI functionality integrated smoothly into the user experience.
User Testing: After the initial design phase, I led several rounds of user testing to gather feedback on both usability and visual appeal, iterating on the design to address pain points and improve functionality.
Action: Steps Taken to Achieve the Final Design
I created an initial iteration of the landing page with a simple design; however, the color scheme didn’t quite hit the mark and was quickly rejected by the team. So here was the updated approved page :
User Persona
Sarah Thompson
Age
22
Occupation
College Senior (Marketing Major)
Location
Boston, MA
Goal
Secure an internship or entry-level marketing position
Background
Sarah is a senior at Boston University, majoring in Marketing. She is searching for internships and entry-level jobs, aiming to land a position in a marketing firm. The competitive job market makes her anxious about standing out with limited real-world experience.
Needs & Expectations
Step-by-step guidance for creating a resume tailored to students.
Customisable, modern templates.
AI-powered assistance to suggest key skills and phrasing.
Full mobile functionality to edit resumes on-the-go.
Motivations
To create a professional resume that helps her secure her first marketing job.
Build confidence in presenting her skills and potential despite limited experience
Design Sprint and Iteration: I employed a design sprint methodology, creating and testing prototypes quickly. I created multiple iterations of the interface, each one simplifying the user flow and making the AI suggestions more accessible.
Incorporating AI in UX: One of the most challenging aspects was integrating AI into the user journey in a way that felt natural. I worked with the backend developers to understand how the AI could analyse job descriptions and user input to offer personalised resume suggestions. I mapped out how and when these suggestions should appear in the user journey to avoid overwhelming the user.
Took inspiration from Canva’s Magic write. Simply how neatly they have integrated it.
Simplified User Flow: Users could input their job history and skills manually or upload an existing resume, which the AI would scan to provide tailored improvement suggestions.
Mobile-First Design: Since Curriculo was developed as a mobile-first app, I paid special attention to optimising the interface for smaller screens.
Visuals and Presentation
Anticipated Outcomes
Although we didn’t conduct formal testing, the design decisions were made to improve user experience by simplifying resume creation. The integration of an AI model was intended to streamline the process, offering users tailored suggestions and minimising manual effort.
If given the opportunity to iterate, I would conduct usability testing to validate .
User Engagement: We observed a 30% increase in user engagement compared to previous resume-building tools offered by our agency.
Time Saved: On average, users reported that they could complete a professional, customised resume in less than 10 minutes—an impressive improvement over the hours it usually took.
AI-Powered Success: The AI suggestions helped users make data-driven decisions about what to include or exclude in their resumes, significantly improving the quality of the final product.
ATS Optimisation: The curriculum included built-in ATS optimisation, helping users pass initial screening by ensuring their resumes were formatted correctly for automated systems.
Reflection
Working on the Curriculo project taught me several valuable lessons:
AI Integration in UX: Balancing the power of AI with user control is crucial to ensure that the technology enhances rather than overwhelms the user experience.
User-Centric Design: Conducting user research early on helped me design an app that addressed real pain points for job seekers, leading to a more successful and impactful product.
Iterative Process: Iterative design and testing ensured that the final product was intuitive, functional, and visually appealing, while constant collaboration with developers allowed me to implement the designs smoothly.