https://rachelcostas.com Rachel Costas Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:21:47 +0000 https://rachelcostas.com en https://rachelcostas.com/HOME Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:21:47 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/HOME <img width="769" height="741" width_o="769" height_o="741" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14e7bd52d4434e0ca4e694ba8bb843c7f5dc1c33e172c3e8854816ad2b12b07c/Selfie.png" data-mid="214082296" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/769/i/14e7bd52d4434e0ca4e694ba8bb843c7f5dc1c33e172c3e8854816ad2b12b07c/Selfie.png" /> Hi! I’m Rachel.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; PRODUCT DESIGN / CONTENT STRATEGY Brooklyn-Based Freelancer&nbsp; &nbsp;/&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Formerly @ TED <img width="2560" height="1440" width_o="2560" height_o="1440" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b8ddc7fbd60686cab2f8e2bf01eed0af15a87efcae0d696dd8f663597f55855/Coming-Soon.png" data-mid="214122238" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1b8ddc7fbd60686cab2f8e2bf01eed0af15a87efcae0d696dd8f663597f55855/Coming-Soon.png" />TED, 2022&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CONCEPT-TESTING A NEW FLAGSHIP APP FEATURE&nbsp; Identifying viable feature ideas that emphasize social sharing, then conduct concept-testing with users to learn which ideas are most viable and desirable. App Design&nbsp; /&nbsp; &nbsp;UX Research / &nbsp; Concept-Testing <img width="2560" height="1440" width_o="2560" height_o="1440" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cb0d022937e0484afe5d08bf375bac0072189a22c5b28c575fe9454e49351f66/Layout7.png" data-mid="213828865" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cb0d022937e0484afe5d08bf375bac0072189a22c5b28c575fe9454e49351f66/Layout7.png" />TED, 2022&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CREATING A PERSONALIZED APP CONTENT HUB Making it easier for users to pick up where they left off by creating My Library⏤a personalized content hub, increasing account creations by 4%. &nbsp;App Design&nbsp; / &nbsp; Design Systems <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/edad2668f49b3d2cd0bef7a969b62f2d212237b221f39a64243b08b4b7592ec9/Layout9.png" data-mid="213831496" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/edad2668f49b3d2cd0bef7a969b62f2d212237b221f39a64243b08b4b7592ec9/Layout9.png" />TED, 2022&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DESIGNING A NEW FEATURE TO BOOST CONTENT DISCOVERY Creating Surprise Me!⏤a new feature that exposes users to content they'd enjoy but not normally seek out, leading to 15% increase in video starts. App Design&nbsp; &nbsp;/&nbsp; &nbsp;UX Research <img width="1280" height="720" width_o="1280" height_o="720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ef1ba5e42fbc740bfe090bc2c2a5fa59d047a2ae7a3f74c184e0f5aab7f8d185/Layout2.png" data-mid="213784538" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ef1ba5e42fbc740bfe090bc2c2a5fa59d047a2ae7a3f74c184e0f5aab7f8d185/Layout2.png" />AARON’S, 2017&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;BOOSTING CONVERSION BY ENHANCING THE LEASE-TO-OWN EXPERIENCE&nbsp; Uncovering UX opportunities and pitfalls to make customers feel more confident signing a lease online for big-ticket items, increasing conversion by 6%. Website Design&nbsp; / &nbsp; E-Com&nbsp; / &nbsp; Funnel Optimization <img width="1280" height="720" width_o="1280" height_o="720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c6f5889c57ec6c72c359272a0d21c95ecc1aeb4fa192201485d4b345438b237a/nrg-cover.png" data-mid="214009844" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c6f5889c57ec6c72c359272a0d21c95ecc1aeb4fa192201485d4b345438b237a/nrg-cover.png" />NRG, 2018 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DEVISING A PERSONALIZATION STRATEGY TO BOOST LEAD CONVERSION&nbsp; Defining personalization requirements and UX enhancements to increase B2B leads on NRG’s website. Mapping conversion paths to customer segments and translating paths into design flows and modules. Website Design&nbsp; &nbsp;/ &nbsp; Personalization&nbsp; &nbsp;/ &nbsp; Funnel Optimization <img width="2001" height="1126" width_o="2001" height_o="1126" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bcbba007b68ac310e5d73a8feeae30cce3448229b602678d8be87fdd43fac08a/Raw-Covershots-01.png" data-mid="213661369" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bcbba007b68ac310e5d73a8feeae30cce3448229b602678d8be87fdd43fac08a/Raw-Covershots-01.png" />EMPLOYBRIDGE, 2018 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DEEP FIELD RESEARCH TO CREATE A SCHEDULING TOOL FOR A STAFFING FIRM &nbsp; Conducting dozens of surveys, interviews and shadow sessions to deeply understand current-state scheduling procedures in order to design a new workstream that helps EB staff screen and book interviews with 50k+ weekly job applicants.UX Research&nbsp; / &nbsp; B2B&nbsp; /&nbsp; &nbsp; Journey Mapping <img width="2001" height="1126" width_o="2001" height_o="1126" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a951d7b7186b222fc8e21d9eb4c6083036889c6f0b0f74c25d323beb941030b5/Raw-Covershots-04.png" data-mid="213661363" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a951d7b7186b222fc8e21d9eb4c6083036889c6f0b0f74c25d323beb941030b5/Raw-Covershots-04.png" />MPI, 2016&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;REIMAGINING A NONPROFIT’S WEBSITE TO APPEAL TO A MILLENIAL WORKFORCE&nbsp; Creating a design system and UX workstreams to support a new CMS that MPI can easily manage and scale in-house. Upon launch, new website boosted online membership purchases by 10% and page views by 23%.Website Design&nbsp; / &nbsp; Content Strategy&nbsp;&nbsp;/ &nbsp; Design Systems <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dcdb0450027a3dfddcb00caee9d3d35f4aa5f7c74b895a367131dcda4f639937/EB_Cover-Cop_new.png" data-mid="213661356" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/dcdb0450027a3dfddcb00caee9d3d35f4aa5f7c74b895a367131dcda4f639937/EB_Cover-Cop_new.png" />GRAD SCHOOL, 2020&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;BUILDING IMPOSSIBLE WORLDS IN CINEMA 4D&nbsp; Creating digital sculptures using Cinema 4D, exploring shape, form, texture, lighting and architectural design.&nbsp; 3D Modeling&nbsp; / &nbsp; Cinema 4D <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed6f57952ce079f629794fb1d11ccd24be4bc5f723ee09830378973e87b84c66/100-Days_Cover0-5x.png" data-mid="213661348" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/ed6f57952ce079f629794fb1d11ccd24be4bc5f723ee09830378973e87b84c66/100-Days_Cover0-5x.png" />GRAD SCHOOL, 2020&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;100 DAYS OF ILLUSTRATING CONTRONYMS &nbsp; Every day for 100 consecutive days, I illustrated a contronym (a word with 2 contradictory meanings), for a grad school class focused on cultivating a daily, iterative design practice. Illustration &nbsp; /&nbsp; &nbsp;Graphic Design <img width="480" height="270" width_o="480" height_o="270" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0dc1d54007f2dac8147d7880c6e2530c8a53bb77f170d2fb162e8409d1d07ff0/RC-Switch-Color-GIF.gif" data-mid="213661337" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/480/i/0dc1d54007f2dac8147d7880c6e2530c8a53bb77f170d2fb162e8409d1d07ff0/RC-Switch-Color-GIF.gif" />GRAD SCHOOL, 2020&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;FAVORITE GRAD SCHOOL PROJECTS Explorations in stop-motion, AR filters, 3D animation and game design. &nbsp; Creative Coding&nbsp; / &nbsp; Physical Computing&nbsp; / &nbsp; Cinema 4D <img width="960" height="540" width_o="960" height_o="540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc9e3a7175819105174b6bb31d09e3d4d02aabfe4f68c187887d74c7bb3b4e31/Bathroom_Cover0-5x.png" data-mid="213661350" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/bc9e3a7175819105174b6bb31d09e3d4d02aabfe4f68c187887d74c7bb3b4e31/Bathroom_Cover0-5x.png" />GRAD SCHOOL, 2019&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;VIDEO GAME ABOUT THE UX OF PUBLIC BATHROOMS Designing and coding a video game about the absurdity and lousy UX of modern bathroom technology, which has been over-engineered to solve nonexistent problems.&nbsp; Creative Coding&nbsp; / &nbsp; Physical Computing&nbsp; / &nbsp; Game Design <img width="1280" height="720" width_o="1280" height_o="720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/545784e9564ed6ba2f0d7898703d6ff6a6b1115d37ed4b9303d48461a9a024ef/Birds_Covershot-3.png" data-mid="214134378" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/545784e9564ed6ba2f0d7898703d6ff6a6b1115d37ed4b9303d48461a9a024ef/Birds_Covershot-3.png" />GRAD SCHOOL, 2021&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;BACKYARD BIRDS: AN ILLUSTRATED INFOGRAPHIC When it comes to ornithology and illustration, it’s all about the art of noticing. Illustration &nbsp; /&nbsp; &nbsp;Graphic Design https://rachelcostas.com/Tumblr-Explained Sun, 06 Jun 2021 21:03:21 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/Tumblr-Explained TUMBLR EXPLAINEDExplain what this page is all about and why I made it. Explain: Tap to enlarge a photo/screenshot, hover image to bring up carousel controls!! These are complaints about minor, but extremly annoying UX/CS issues that bother me every day.&nbsp; Welcome to my brain. Add links to sort by tag. https://rachelcostas.com/tuesday Wed, 26 May 2021 21:27:40 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/tuesday dsa Tags: Google, Google Calendar Google Calendar realllllllllly sucks You just created a new Google Calendar event. This is the empty state screen you’re presented with. Nowhere on the page does it tell you what day of the week this is (e.g. Tuesday).&nbsp; <img width="2856" height="1720" width_o="2856" height_o="1720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/46f4bc7ea8ac938aa70f091b3d5e0e8cdc7ea991cdedcfef039c1c3ae1fbbeef/Empty-Event.png" data-mid="110533841" border="0" alt="[image] Aaron&rsquo;s" data-caption="[image] Aaron’s" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/46f4bc7ea8ac938aa70f091b3d5e0e8cdc7ea991cdedcfef039c1c3ae1fbbeef/Empty-Event.png" /> https://rachelcostas.com/Excel-Sort Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:47:59 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/Excel-Sort dsa Tags: ContentThe worst instructions I’ve ever read I forgot how to sort by column in Excel, so I Googled it. This article was linked as one of the top results. <img width="2206" height="1744" width_o="2206" height_o="1744" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/79a1f32ee11ec8161e80a1a2032804512306b96e673ce767375d65564b65875c/Excel-Sort.png" data-mid="111456289" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/79a1f32ee11ec8161e80a1a2032804512306b96e673ce767375d65564b65875c/Excel-Sort.png" /> https://rachelcostas.com/Lease-v-Own Tue, 15 Jun 2021 21:12:48 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/Lease-v-Own dsa Tags: ContentWhen the design is great but the content sucks I was considering getting a new-to-me car, so did a Google search for 'lease vs own car'. This article was linked as a top result.&nbsp;They restate this (obvious) sentiment at least 6 times: Leasing means you'll make monthly payments for a car you'll never own. Other things that are less obvious, but actually helpful, are never repeated or visually called attention to. (show example)I found exactly what I needed on Reddit. (show example) pictures are in Figma file: “UX Annotations Batch 4” https://rachelcostas.com/gmail-highlight Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:56:53 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/gmail-highlight dsa Tags: Google, Gmailmy biggest complaint Gmail complaint&nbsp; I'm going through my 4,000+ emails, looking for ones that can be deleted. Let's say I: click on an email. read it. decide I want to keep it. click to go back to my inbox. get a text, read it. avert my attention back to my inbox. Which email did I just read? I can't remember? <img width="2530" height="1410" width_o="2530" height_o="1410" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ca3d3be21f888b243224f3d0d30638bcc84daf4603f28f4438cc0bc4a00d291d/Gmail-1.png" data-mid="111450778" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ca3d3be21f888b243224f3d0d30638bcc84daf4603f28f4438cc0bc4a00d291d/Gmail-1.png" /> <img width="2530" height="1410" width_o="2530" height_o="1410" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14a5a41053b9d9d1077dfc8fa1078b3d909a56e232d08ea64db1e691d157af09/Gmail-2.png" data-mid="111450779" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/14a5a41053b9d9d1077dfc8fa1078b3d909a56e232d08ea64db1e691d157af09/Gmail-2.png" /> I wish it highlight the last email I was reading (Outlook does this).&nbsp; https://rachelcostas.com/NYT Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:34:45 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/NYT dsa Tags: My head hurts I've been disappointed by the New York Times' presidential election and COVID-19 infographics (especially on mobile). Based on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, the charts below are supposed to show how much more red (Republican) or blue (Democratic) counties have become since the 2016 election. The only information I can derive from these is that blue counties got blue-er and red counties got red-er (not shocking). This is somehow hard to derive from these charts but also exremely obvious/duh information. <img width="3608" height="2402" width_o="3608" height_o="2402" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/842b4035f27523c0bb9b48fd0833d63e68c48ab94dc7a0b1b3fb932a5e89fc67/NYT-1.png" data-mid="111448342" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/842b4035f27523c0bb9b48fd0833d63e68c48ab94dc7a0b1b3fb932a5e89fc67/NYT-1.png" /> https://rachelcostas.com/facetime Sun, 06 Jun 2021 17:43:41 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/facetime &nbsp; Tags: Mobile, iOS Why can’t I switch to a normal call when facetiming? There’s no way to switch to a normal (audio) call when facetiming. You’re forced to end the facetime call and call the person back.&nbsp; https://rachelcostas.com/delete-event Wed, 26 May 2021 21:32:39 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/delete-event Tags: GoogleDeleting a Google Calendar event stresses me out&nbsp; Every time I click ‘Delete this event’, I get this stressful pop-up message that makes me think I’m about to delete ALL the events on my calendar. Also, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE between the 2nd and 3rd options?? <img width="1242" height="2688" width_o="1242" height_o="2688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/19bc2dbf5c8279a6a2413f5f8e018f7e29382c1241ddd409de2df8aded97f2ee/ALL-EVENTS.PNG" data-mid="111455441" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/19bc2dbf5c8279a6a2413f5f8e018f7e29382c1241ddd409de2df8aded97f2ee/ALL-EVENTS.PNG" /> <img width="2094" height="1304" width_o="2094" height_o="1304" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ba7aa6f676b27cabbcfd74e6ac7e09dae48dc882352ede6dbd40fa1a3ffe96d/Screen-Shot-2021-05-26-at-5.37.23-PM.png" data-mid="109611888" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8ba7aa6f676b27cabbcfd74e6ac7e09dae48dc882352ede6dbd40fa1a3ffe96d/Screen-Shot-2021-05-26-at-5.37.23-PM.png" /> https://rachelcostas.com/enterprise-rental Sun, 06 Jun 2021 18:22:16 +0000 Rachel Costas https://rachelcostas.com/enterprise-rental Tags: Information ArchitectureLearn! Share!&nbsp; This is the Enterprise car rental homepage. Two of the top-level navigation menu labels are weird and confusing.&nbsp; Navigation labels present the major categories of functionality. They should be as straightforward as possible, Expectation setting: “Will I find what I need here?” <img width="2572" height="1612" width_o="2572" height_o="1612" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9aed6464f02f38e5d8055315e408edb372f267191959b8a59b23e97d110efa11/Enterprise-1.png" data-mid="110522976" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9aed6464f02f38e5d8055315e408edb372f267191959b8a59b23e97d110efa11/Enterprise-1.png" /> <img width="2572" height="1612" width_o="2572" height_o="1612" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f1fd9e44c2d185888c968e4e88942d3d0cc79a0932ee5d5e86546add6b9c5d8/Enterprise-2.png" data-mid="110522977" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7f1fd9e44c2d185888c968e4e88942d3d0cc79a0932ee5d5e86546add6b9c5d8/Enterprise-2.png" /> <img width="2572" height="1584" width_o="2572" height_o="1584" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/46ce2748447b157172757ccc4a7992bf03997c6bd1fd9d8a5cff9e046efd6bb4/Enterprise-3.png" data-mid="110522978" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/46ce2748447b157172757ccc4a7992bf03997c6bd1fd9d8a5cff9e046efd6bb4/Enterprise-3.png" />