Corpus Key
CHALLENGE
Simplify a complex AI course builder for educators and increase trust in automated materials.
SOLUTION
Redesigned UX for clarity, added step-by-step previews, and improved copy. Result: faster setup, higher course completion, and better user trust, no expert help needed.
Role
UX Designer, Web Designer
Time
6 weeks
Tools
Framer, Figma, Jira
Status
Shipped
PROJECT OVERVIEW
CorpusKey is an AI-powered course material creation tool designed to help instructors generate textbooks, lesson plans, and presentations effortlessly.
Our goal was to transform a developer-centered, complex interface into an intuitive, user-centered experience that empowers instructors to focus on teaching rather than struggling with tools.
As the UX Designer, I led comprehensive user research with instructors and TAs, redefined complex AI-driven workflows into intuitive, flexible content creation experiences, and collaborated closely with CorpusKey’s leadership and development teams to deliver a solution that empowers educators and drives adoption of AI-assisted course tools.
Impact created
Simplified content creation flow, reducing outline setup time by ~40%
Improved instructor adoption and satisfaction
Increased potential for course material scalability and reuse
PROBLEM CONTEXT
On average, over 70% of the instructors struggled to generate course outlines independently, with most spending extra hours per course setup due to unclear terminology and complex workflows.
For instructors juggling multiple courses each semester, these friction points led to frustration, reduced trust in AI-generated content, and low adoption rates. We conducted a usability test with instructors and TA's and quickly realised the following:
70%
Outline Completion Struggles
70% of instructors struggled to complete outlines without external help, leading to drop-offs and reduced trust.
60%
Terminology Confusion
60% found the platform’s language and hierarchy confusing, causing a steep learning curve and high cognitive load.
>50%
Early Stage Abandonment
50% abandoned the platform at the outline creation stage, significantly limiting adoption and scalability.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we transform CorpusKey’s complex, developer-centered website into an intuitive, educator-friendly experience?
THE SOLUTION
We redesigned CorpusKey’s website by simplifying complex hierarchies into clear, nested outlines, introducing draggable content blocks, clarifying terminology, and adding smart preview features.
Rebuilt the information architecture to streamline content creation flows and improve discoverability.
Refined UX copy to reduce cognitive load and support accessibility across academic disciplines.
Redesigned the interface with stronger visual hierarchy and cleaner navigation, enhancing ease of use for both novice and tech-savvy educators.
Introduced a subscription model and freemium pricing strategy designed to drive user adoption while supporting scalable monetization.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 pts
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
PROJECT LIBRARY
Project Library : Collection of Projects
The Project Library acts as the main dashboard, allowing instructors to easily view, manage, and continue working on all their existing projects in one centralized place. A “Create New Project” tile encourages quick content creation and lowers the barrier to getting started. We also redesigned the core CRUD functions, replacing previously unintuitive icons with clear, labeled actions for editing, duplicating, and deleting , to reduce errors and build confidence in managing materials. This screen was designed to promote independent use, simplify content organization, and empower instructors to feel fully in control of their work.
CRUD Functions
This page also displays the three CRUD functions which were previously displayed as icons and were unintuitive.
(Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Queues
The queue pane displays all the generated files of all the projects from the project library. This gives the user an overview of the files that are already generated and the ones that are in progress.
DASHBOARD
Dashboard: Overview
After creating a new project, instructors are directed to the Project Overview page, which provides a clear, organized snapshot of their entire project. This structure was designed to reduce cognitive load, support step-by-step creation, and provide instructors with clear visibility and control over their course content at every stage.
Upload Files
Hero headline + sub-headline clarified the value in a single sentence.
Outline Generation
Subtle hero animation with geometric motion hinted at the AI system’s “live intelligence.”
Queue
Clear CTA hierarchy: Book a Demo · Learn More.
OUTLINE MANAGEMENT PAGE
Outline Management: Creating Structures
The Case Summary screen gives a quick, comprehensive view of the child’s background and key case details. Volunteers can track progress, review flagged updates, and access important documents easily. It helps them prepare confidently for meetings and make informed recommendations.
Creating outline
After clicking “Create New Outline,” instructors can build a detailed, nested outline with headings, subheadings, and learning objectives for each section. Contextual helper text provides helpful guidance without disrupting workflow. This screen was designed to match instructors’ mental models and encourage confident, independent planning.
Helper text
Hierarchy maintained
The "+ Add item" feature allows users to add multiple subheadings to a single heading or create multiple headings for their outline.
RESEARCH
To deeply understand instructors’ pain points, we conducted user interviews with professors and teaching assistants across STEM and humanities. We also performed a heuristic evaluation of the existing website and analyzed user behavior from platform analytics.
Key findings revealed that over 70% struggled to create outlines without assistance, terminology felt overly technical, and instructors lacked confidence in AI-generated content due to unclear previews and guidance. These insights highlighted a critical need to simplify workflows, clarify language, and build trust through transparent AI interactions.
The users said..
"I don’t trust the AI to generate content without showing me exactly what it will look like first."
- Instructor
"The terminology felt like it was made for developers, not educators like me."
- Professor
"I kept getting lost in all the sections, I just wanted to start building my syllabus, not learn a new system first."
- Professor
For the heuristic evaluation, we applied Nielsen’s usability principles to systematically audit each screen and interaction flow.
This deep dive revealed critical friction points impacting comprehension, navigation, and task efficiency. By uncovering both quick-win fixes and deeper structural issues, we identified opportunities to improve user trust, drive adoption, and strengthen overall retention and conversion.
We also explored successful EdTech tools to identify inspiring design patterns.
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Easy Onboarding
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Previews & Feedback
Clear preview systems and immediate feedback loops build trust in AI-generated content and reduce hesitation to publish.
Goal-Driven Navigation
Interfaces prioritize what instructors want to accomplish, rather than overwhelming them with technical details or settings.
Supportive Microcopy
Simple, encouraging language empowers non-technical users to explore and experiment without fear of making mistakes.
Based on all the data collected through our research we identified 4 key issues
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Cognitive Overload
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Low Confidence in AI Outputs
Many instructors doubted AI-generated materials due to a lack of transparent previews and contextual guidance.
Steep Learning Curve
Non-technical instructors struggled to onboard independently, often requiring external help to understand core workflows.
Inefficient Content Structuring
Difficulty visualizing and organizing nested outlines caused delays in course creation and frequent rework
ANALYSIS
To translate our research into actionable insights, we mapped the entire CorpusKey user flow and created an affinity diagram to categorize pain points, suggested solutions, and small delights.
The site map analysis helped us pinpoint critical friction areas, such as unclear entry points, ambiguous back navigation, and confusing prompt flows. This clarified exactly where instructors felt lost and overwhelmed.
Through affinity mapping, we clustered key pain points around lack of feedback, missing hierarchy, unclear instructions, and trust barriers. These insights directly shaped our design priorities and highlighted opportunities to simplify the platform and empower instructors to work confidently without external help.
Based on the analysis done, we decided to focus on three core opportunity areas
Combining insights from interviews, heuristic evaluation, and competitor analysis, we mapped the key friction points across the instructor journey. We identified major breakdowns in early onboarding, high cognitive load during outline creation, and a lack of trust in AI outputs.
Simplify workflows and reduce learning curve
Restructure outline creation and terminology to align with mental models of educators rather than developers
Clear feedback system and building trust
Volunteers desired more emotional connection and confidence rather than just efficiency.
Better UX copy for independent adoption
Create guidance and supportive UX copy that empower instructors to work without external help.
From this synthesis, I derived core design principles to guide solution development
Simplicity First
[KISS Principle]
Prioritize solutions that give time back rather than simply digitize existing workflows.
Confidence = Clarity
[Jakob’s Law]
Build instructor confidence in AI-generated content via clear previews, in-context guidance, and visible progress at every stage.
Guided Yet Flexible
[Fogg Behavior Model]
Design for self-sufficiency so instructors can navigate, and edit content confidently without needing external help or technical support.
Consistency & Clarity
[Consistency & Standards]
Ensure consistent interaction patterns and clear visual hierarchy to reduce errors, and create a smooth learning curve.
IDEATION
Guided by core design principles, we explored multiple ways to simplify workflows, clarify structure, and build trust in AI-generated content.
We started with low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to quickly test ideas such as nested outline structures, draggable content blocks, and contextual helper text. We also experimented with guided walkthrough flows and progressive onboarding to support independent exploration.
ITERATIONS
During this phase, we prioritized rapid iteration and early feedback from instructors, allowing us to validate mental models and uncover usability issues before moving to high-fidelity designs.
This approach helped us align our solutions with real instructor needs while keeping the business goals of adoption and retention front and center.
To quickly test information architecture, workflows, and key interaction patterns, we began with low-fidelity wireframes and flow sketches.
These early explorations allowed us to validate fundamental concepts with CASA volunteers and stakeholders before investing in detailed UI design.
BUSINESS MODEL
Alongside improving usability, we were tasked with designing a sustainable business strategy for CorpusKey
We proposed a freemium model, allowing instructors to explore core content creation features for free and upgrade to unlock premium capabilities — including advanced analytics, enhanced customization, and additional export options. This approach supports trial-based engagement while creating a clear value ladder for premium conversion.
To support seamless transactions, we recommended Stripe integration for easy, trusted payments, reducing friction in the upgrade journey. By aligning UX and business strategy, this model helps CorpusKey increase adoption, encourage experimentation, and scale revenue sustainably.
Business Goals
Revenue Maximization, User Retention, Market Positioning
Target Users
Professors, Administrators, Individual mentors
Strategy Focus
Freemium plan + Credit system with points
Why we chose the Freemium model for Corpus Key
To increase adoption and reduce entry barriers, we needed a model that empowers instructors to experience value upfront without immediate commitment , making CorpusKey more approachable and widely accessible.
Freemium
This plan will only allow them to create a single project with a limited number of outlines. A low-risk start helps users try the product with limited features.
Credit
The credit system allows rewarding engagement and incentivizes continued usage. Users earn points and redeem them for premium features.
Contact Sales
The contact sales option encourages users to explore tailored solutions and premium offerings through direct contact with the sales team.
DESIGN SYSTEM
To ensure a cohesive experience across CorpusKey, we created a design system that captured the visual language
Our system included reusable UI components, updated typography, color palettes optimized for accessibility, iconography, and clear interaction states. We also established design tokens and documentation guidelines to ensure smooth collaboration with developers and enable future feature expansion with minimal design debt.
DEVELOPER HAND-OFF
To support an efficient transition from design to development, we documented a comprehensive handoff guide outlining all UI components, interaction flows, and edge cases
This guide included annotated Figma files with usage instructions, states for dynamic elements (like drag-and-drop behaviors and outline previews), and clear guidance on responsive behavior. We also provided design tokens and specifications for typography, spacing, and colors to ensure pixel-perfect implementation.
TESTING
Participants were asked to create outlines and reorganize modules using drag-and-drop. Feedback revealed improved comprehension of workflows, higher trust in previews, and reduced reliance on external support
Key metrics included a 40% reduction in outline setup time, a significant increase in System Usability Scale (SUS) score from 55 to 85, and stronger positive sentiment around the simplified language and guidance.
Iterative refinements based on this feedback helped us align even more closely with instructors’ mental models and usability expectations, ensuring the final experience felt intuitive and empowering.
Hidden Advanced Options
Some volunteers struggled to understand the sidebar structure and where to find specific case-related reminders and files.
Initial Drag-and-Drop Confusion
A few users struggled with the early drag-and-drop interaction patterns before micro interactions were refined.
Simplified Outline Flow
Instructors found the new nested outline structure intuitive and easier to navigate without external help.
Supportive Microcopy
Participants appreciated having all child case details, upcoming tasks, and notes in one place.
IMPACT
Our redesigned CorpusKey experience empowered instructors to create course materials more confidently and efficiently, while also aligning with business growth goals.
Beyond metrics, users reported feeling more in control of their content and expressed higher trust in AI-generated outputs — a crucial factor for driving long-term adoption and brand loyalty.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 points
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
REFLECTION
As a UX Designer
This project challenged me to balance deep user empathy with business strategy, and to redesign a highly technical tool into an approachable, educator-first experience.
What I learned:
The importance of aligning AI-powered workflows to mental models, rather than forcing users to adapt to system logic.
How strategic microcopy and transparent previews can build trust in complex, unfamiliar technologies.
The value of early, iterative testing to uncover usability issues and validate design direction before high-fidelity investments.
Corpus Key
CHALLENGE
Simplify a complex AI course builder for educators and increase trust in automated materials.
SOLUTION
Redesigned UX for clarity, added step-by-step previews, and improved copy. Result: faster setup, higher course completion, and better user trust, no expert help needed.
CHALLENGE
Simplify a complex AI course builder for educators and increase trust in automated materials.
SOLUTION
Redesigned UX for clarity, added step-by-step previews, and improved copy. Result: faster setup, higher course completion, and better user trust, no expert help needed.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
CorpusKey is an AI-powered course material creation tool designed to help instructors generate textbooks, lesson plans, and presentations effortlessly.
Our goal was to transform a developer-centered, complex interface into an intuitive, user-centered experience that empowers instructors to focus on teaching rather than struggling with tools.
As the UX Designer, I led comprehensive user research with instructors and TAs, redefined complex AI-driven workflows into intuitive, flexible content creation experiences, and collaborated closely with CorpusKey’s leadership and development teams to deliver a solution that empowers educators and drives adoption of AI-assisted course tools.
Impact created
Simplified content creation flow, reducing outline setup time by ~40%
Improved instructor adoption and satisfaction
Increased potential for course material scalability and reuse
PROBLEM CONTEXT
On average, over 70% of the instructors struggled to generate course outlines independently, with most spending extra hours per course setup due to unclear terminology and complex workflows.
For instructors juggling multiple courses each semester, these friction points led to frustration, reduced trust in AI-generated content, and low adoption rates. We conducted a usability test with instructors and TA's and quickly realised the following:
70%
Outline Completion Struggles
70% of instructors struggled to complete outlines without external help, leading to drop-offs and reduced trust.
60%
Terminology Confusion
60% found the platform’s language and hierarchy confusing, causing a steep learning curve and high cognitive load.
>50%
Early Stage Abandonment
50% abandoned the platform at the outline creation stage, significantly limiting adoption and scalability.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we transform CorpusKey’s complex, developer-centered website into an intuitive, educator-friendly experience?
THE SOLUTION
We redesigned CorpusKey’s website by simplifying complex hierarchies into clear, nested outlines, introducing draggable content blocks, clarifying terminology, and adding smart preview features.
Rebuilt the information architecture to streamline content creation flows and improve discoverability.
Refined UX copy to reduce cognitive load and support accessibility across academic disciplines.
Redesigned the interface with stronger visual hierarchy and cleaner navigation, enhancing ease of use for both novice and tech-savvy educators.
Introduced a subscription model and freemium pricing strategy designed to drive user adoption while supporting scalable monetization.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 pts
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
PROJECT LIBRARY
Project Library : Collection of Projects
The Project Library acts as the main dashboard, allowing instructors to easily view, manage, and continue working on all their existing projects in one centralized place. A “Create New Project” tile encourages quick content creation and lowers the barrier to getting started. We also redesigned the core CRUD functions, replacing previously unintuitive icons with clear, labeled actions for editing, duplicating, and deleting , to reduce errors and build confidence in managing materials. This screen was designed to promote independent use, simplify content organization, and empower instructors to feel fully in control of their work.
CRUD Functions
This page also displays the three CRUD functions which were previously displayed as icons and were unintuitive.
(Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Queues
The queue pane displays all the generated files of all the projects from the project library. This gives the user an overview of the files that are already generated and the ones that are in progress.
DASHBOARD
Dashboard: Overview
After creating a new project, instructors are directed to the Project Overview page, which provides a clear, organized snapshot of their entire project. This structure was designed to reduce cognitive load, support step-by-step creation, and provide instructors with clear visibility and control over their course content at every stage.
Upload Files
Hero headline + sub-headline clarified the value in a single sentence.
Outline Generation
Subtle hero animation with geometric motion hinted at the AI system’s “live intelligence.”
Queue
Clear CTA hierarchy: Book a Demo · Learn More.
OUTLINE MANAGEMENT PAGE
Outline Management: Creating Structures
The Case Summary screen gives a quick, comprehensive view of the child’s background and key case details. Volunteers can track progress, review flagged updates, and access important documents easily. It helps them prepare confidently for meetings and make informed recommendations.
Creating outline
After clicking “Create New Outline,” instructors can build a detailed, nested outline with headings, subheadings, and learning objectives for each section. Contextual helper text provides helpful guidance without disrupting workflow. This screen was designed to match instructors’ mental models and encourage confident, independent planning.
Helper text
Hierarchy maintained
The "+ Add item" feature allows users to add multiple subheadings to a single heading or create multiple headings for their outline.
RESEARCH
To deeply understand instructors’ pain points, we conducted user interviews with professors and teaching assistants across STEM and humanities. We also performed a heuristic evaluation of the existing website and analyzed user behavior from platform analytics.
Key findings revealed that over 70% struggled to create outlines without assistance, terminology felt overly technical, and instructors lacked confidence in AI-generated content due to unclear previews and guidance. These insights highlighted a critical need to simplify workflows, clarify language, and build trust through transparent AI interactions.
The users said..
"I don’t trust the AI to generate content without showing me exactly what it will look like first."
- Instructor
"The terminology felt like it was made for developers, not educators like me."
- Professor
"I kept getting lost in all the sections, I just wanted to start building my syllabus, not learn a new system first."
- Professor
For the heuristic evaluation, we applied Nielsen’s usability principles to systematically audit each screen and interaction flow.
This deep dive revealed critical friction points impacting comprehension, navigation, and task efficiency. By uncovering both quick-win fixes and deeper structural issues, we identified opportunities to improve user trust, drive adoption, and strengthen overall retention and conversion.
Connect to Content
Add layers or components to make infinite auto-playing slideshows.
We also explored successful EdTech tools to identify inspiring design patterns.
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Easy Onboarding
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Previews & Feedback
Clear preview systems and immediate feedback loops build trust in AI-generated content and reduce hesitation to publish.
Goal-Driven Navigation
Interfaces prioritize what instructors want to accomplish, rather than overwhelming them with technical details or settings.
Supportive Microcopy
Simple, encouraging language empowers non-technical users to explore and experiment without fear of making mistakes.
Based on all the data collected through our research we identified 4 key issues
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Cognitive Overload
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Low Confidence in AI Outputs
Many instructors doubted AI-generated materials due to a lack of transparent previews and contextual guidance.
Steep Learning Curve
Non-technical instructors struggled to onboard independently, often requiring external help to understand core workflows.
Inefficient Content Structuring
Difficulty visualizing and organizing nested outlines caused delays in course creation and frequent rework
ANALYSIS
To translate our research into actionable insights, we mapped the entire CorpusKey user flow and created an affinity diagram to categorize pain points, suggested solutions, and small delights.
The site map analysis helped us pinpoint critical friction areas, such as unclear entry points, ambiguous back navigation, and confusing prompt flows. This clarified exactly where instructors felt lost and overwhelmed.
Through affinity mapping, we clustered key pain points around lack of feedback, missing hierarchy, unclear instructions, and trust barriers. These insights directly shaped our design priorities and highlighted opportunities to simplify the platform and empower instructors to work confidently without external help.
Based on the analysis done, we decided to focus on three core opportunity areas
Combining insights from interviews, heuristic evaluation, and competitor analysis, we mapped the key friction points across the instructor journey. We identified major breakdowns in early onboarding, high cognitive load during outline creation, and a lack of trust in AI outputs.
Simplify workflows and reduce learning curve
Restructure outline creation and terminology to align with mental models of educators rather than developers
Clear feedback system and building trust
Volunteers desired more emotional connection and confidence rather than just efficiency.
Better UX copy for independent adoption
Create guidance and supportive UX copy that empower instructors to work without external help.
From this synthesis, I derived core design principles to guide solution development
Simplicity First
[KISS Principle]
Prioritize solutions that give time back rather than simply digitize existing workflows.
Confidence = Clarity
[Jakob’s Law]
Build instructor confidence in AI-generated content via clear previews, in-context guidance, and visible progress at every stage.
Guided Yet Flexible
[Fogg Behavior Model]
Design for self-sufficiency so instructors can navigate, and edit content confidently without needing external help or technical support.
Consistency & Clarity
[Consistency & Standards]
Ensure consistent interaction patterns and clear visual hierarchy to reduce errors, and create a smooth learning curve.
IDEATION
Guided by core design principles, we explored multiple ways to simplify workflows, clarify structure, and build trust in AI-generated content.
We started with low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to quickly test ideas such as nested outline structures, draggable content blocks, and contextual helper text. We also experimented with guided walkthrough flows and progressive onboarding to support independent exploration.
ITERATIONS
During this phase, we prioritized rapid iteration and early feedback from instructors, allowing us to validate mental models and uncover usability issues before moving to high-fidelity designs.
This approach helped us align our solutions with real instructor needs while keeping the business goals of adoption and retention front and center.
To quickly test information architecture, workflows, and key interaction patterns, we began with low-fidelity wireframes and flow sketches.
These early explorations allowed us to validate fundamental concepts with CASA volunteers and stakeholders before investing in detailed UI design.
BUSINESS MODEL
Alongside improving usability, we were tasked with designing a sustainable business strategy for CorpusKey
We proposed a freemium model, allowing instructors to explore core content creation features for free and upgrade to unlock premium capabilities — including advanced analytics, enhanced customization, and additional export options. This approach supports trial-based engagement while creating a clear value ladder for premium conversion.
To support seamless transactions, we recommended Stripe integration for easy, trusted payments, reducing friction in the upgrade journey. By aligning UX and business strategy, this model helps CorpusKey increase adoption, encourage experimentation, and scale revenue sustainably.
Business Goals
Revenue Maximization, User Retention, Market Positioning
Target Users
Professors, Administrators, Individual mentors
Strategy Focus
Freemium plan + Credit system with points
Why we chose the Freemium model for Corpus Key
To increase adoption and reduce entry barriers, we needed a model that empowers instructors to experience value upfront without immediate commitment , making CorpusKey more approachable and widely accessible.
Freemium
This plan will only allow them to create a single project with a limited number of outlines. A low-risk start helps users try the product with limited features.
Credit
The credit system allows rewarding engagement and incentivizes continued usage. Users earn points and redeem them for premium features.
Contact Sales
The contact sales option encourages users to explore tailored solutions and premium offerings through direct contact with the sales team.
DESIGN SYSTEM
To ensure a cohesive experience across CorpusKey, we created a design system that captured the visual language
Our system included reusable UI components, updated typography, color palettes optimized for accessibility, iconography, and clear interaction states. We also established design tokens and documentation guidelines to ensure smooth collaboration with developers and enable future feature expansion with minimal design debt.
DEVELOPER HAND-OFF
To support an efficient transition from design to development, we documented a comprehensive handoff guide outlining all UI components, interaction flows, and edge cases
This guide included annotated Figma files with usage instructions, states for dynamic elements (like drag-and-drop behaviors and outline previews), and clear guidance on responsive behavior. We also provided design tokens and specifications for typography, spacing, and colors to ensure pixel-perfect implementation.
TESTING
Participants were asked to create outlines and reorganize modules using drag-and-drop. Feedback revealed improved comprehension of workflows, higher trust in previews, and reduced reliance on external support
Key metrics included a 40% reduction in outline setup time, a significant increase in System Usability Scale (SUS) score from 55 to 85, and stronger positive sentiment around the simplified language and guidance.
Iterative refinements based on this feedback helped us align even more closely with instructors’ mental models and usability expectations, ensuring the final experience felt intuitive and empowering.
Hidden Advanced Options
Some volunteers struggled to understand the sidebar structure and where to find specific case-related reminders and files.
Initial Drag-and-Drop Confusion
A few users struggled with the early drag-and-drop interaction patterns before micro interactions were refined.
Simplified Outline Flow
Instructors found the new nested outline structure intuitive and easier to navigate without external help.
Supportive Microcopy
Participants appreciated having all child case details, upcoming tasks, and notes in one place.
IMPACT
Our redesigned CorpusKey experience empowered instructors to create course materials more confidently and efficiently, while also aligning with business growth goals.
Beyond metrics, users reported feeling more in control of their content and expressed higher trust in AI-generated outputs — a crucial factor for driving long-term adoption and brand loyalty.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 points
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
REFLECTION
As a UX Designer
This project challenged me to balance deep user empathy with business strategy, and to redesign a highly technical tool into an approachable, educator-first experience.
What I learned:
The importance of aligning AI-powered workflows to mental models, rather than forcing users to adapt to system logic.
How strategic microcopy and transparent previews can build trust in complex, unfamiliar technologies.
The value of early, iterative testing to uncover usability issues and validate design direction before high-fidelity investments.
Corpus Key
CHALLENGE
Simplify a complex AI course builder for educators and increase trust in automated materials.
SOLUTION
Redesigned UX for clarity, added step-by-step previews, and improved copy. Result: faster setup, higher course completion, and better user trust, no expert help needed.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
CorpusKey is an AI-powered course material creation tool designed to help instructors generate textbooks, lesson plans, and presentations effortlessly.
Our goal was to transform a developer-centered, complex interface into an intuitive, user-centered experience that empowers instructors to focus on teaching rather than struggling with tools.
As the UX Designer, I led comprehensive user research with instructors and TAs, redefined complex AI-driven workflows into intuitive, flexible content creation experiences, and collaborated closely with CorpusKey’s leadership and development teams to deliver a solution that empowers educators and drives adoption of AI-assisted course tools.
Impact created
Simplified content creation flow, reducing outline setup time by ~40%
Improved instructor adoption and satisfaction
Increased potential for course material scalability and reuse
PROBLEM CONTEXT
On average, over 70% of the instructors struggled to generate course outlines independently, with most spending extra hours per course setup due to unclear terminology and complex workflows.
For instructors juggling multiple courses each semester, these friction points led to frustration, reduced trust in AI-generated content, and low adoption rates. We conducted a usability test with instructors and TA's and quickly realised the following:
70%
Outline Completion Struggles
70% of instructors struggled to complete outlines without external help, leading to drop-offs and reduced trust.
60%
Terminology Confusion
60% found the platform’s language and hierarchy confusing, causing a steep learning curve and high cognitive load.
>50%
Early Stage Abandonment
50% abandoned the platform at the outline creation stage, significantly limiting adoption and scalability.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we transform CorpusKey’s complex, developer-centered website into an intuitive, educator-friendly experience?
THE SOLUTION
We redesigned CorpusKey’s website by simplifying complex hierarchies into clear, nested outlines, introducing draggable content blocks, clarifying terminology, and adding smart preview features.
Rebuilt the information architecture to streamline content creation flows and improve discoverability.
Refined UX copy to reduce cognitive load and support accessibility across academic disciplines.
Redesigned the interface with stronger visual hierarchy and cleaner navigation, enhancing ease of use for both novice and tech-savvy educators.
Introduced a subscription model and freemium pricing strategy designed to drive user adoption while supporting scalable monetization.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 pts
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
PROJECT LIBRARY
Project Library : Collection of Projects
The Project Library acts as the main dashboard, allowing instructors to easily view, manage, and continue working on all their existing projects in one centralized place. A “Create New Project” tile encourages quick content creation and lowers the barrier to getting started. We also redesigned the core CRUD functions, replacing previously unintuitive icons with clear, labeled actions for editing, duplicating, and deleting , to reduce errors and build confidence in managing materials. This screen was designed to promote independent use, simplify content organization, and empower instructors to feel fully in control of their work.
CRUD Functions
This page also displays the three CRUD functions which were previously displayed as icons and were unintuitive.
(Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Queues
The queue pane displays all the generated files of all the projects from the project library. This gives the user an overview of the files that are already generated and the ones that are in progress.
DASHBOARD
Dashboard: Overview
After creating a new project, instructors are directed to the Project Overview page, which provides a clear, organized snapshot of their entire project. This structure was designed to reduce cognitive load, support step-by-step creation, and provide instructors with clear visibility and control over their course content at every stage.
Upload Files
Hero headline + sub-headline clarified the value in a single sentence.
Outline Generation
Subtle hero animation with geometric motion hinted at the AI system’s “live intelligence.”
Queue
Clear CTA hierarchy: Book a Demo · Learn More.
OUTLINE MANAGEMENT PAGE
Outline Management: Creating Structures
The Case Summary screen gives a quick, comprehensive view of the child’s background and key case details. Volunteers can track progress, review flagged updates, and access important documents easily. It helps them prepare confidently for meetings and make informed recommendations.
Creating outline
After clicking “Create New Outline,” instructors can build a detailed, nested outline with headings, subheadings, and learning objectives for each section. Contextual helper text provides helpful guidance without disrupting workflow. This screen was designed to match instructors’ mental models and encourage confident, independent planning.
Helper text
Hierarchy maintained
The "+ Add item" feature allows users to add multiple subheadings to a single heading or create multiple headings for their outline.
RESEARCH
To deeply understand instructors’ pain points, we conducted user interviews with professors and teaching assistants across STEM and humanities. We also performed a heuristic evaluation of the existing website and analyzed user behavior from platform analytics.
Key findings revealed that over 70% struggled to create outlines without assistance, terminology felt overly technical, and instructors lacked confidence in AI-generated content due to unclear previews and guidance. These insights highlighted a critical need to simplify workflows, clarify language, and build trust through transparent AI interactions.
The users said..
"I don’t trust the AI to generate content without showing me exactly what it will look like first."
- Instructor
"The terminology felt like it was made for developers, not educators like me."
- Professor
"I kept getting lost in all the sections, I just wanted to start building my syllabus, not learn a new system first."
- Professor
For the heuristic evaluation, we applied Nielsen’s usability principles to systematically audit each screen and interaction flow.
This deep dive revealed critical friction points impacting comprehension, navigation, and task efficiency. By uncovering both quick-win fixes and deeper structural issues, we identified opportunities to improve user trust, drive adoption, and strengthen overall retention and conversion.
Connect to Content
Add layers or components to make infinite auto-playing slideshows.
We also explored successful EdTech tools to identify inspiring design patterns.
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Easy Onboarding
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Previews & Feedback
Clear preview systems and immediate feedback loops build trust in AI-generated content and reduce hesitation to publish.
Goal-Driven Navigation
Interfaces prioritize what instructors want to accomplish, rather than overwhelming them with technical details or settings.
Supportive Microcopy
Simple, encouraging language empowers non-technical users to explore and experiment without fear of making mistakes.
Based on all the data collected through our research we identified 4 key issues
As part of our research, we conducted a competitive analysis of leading educational content platforms, including Top Hat, Perusall, and Edmodo. Our goal was to understand how successful EdTech products reduce friction, encourage trust in AI, and support user adoption at scale.
Cognitive Overload
Instructors felt overwhelmed by complex hierarchies, technical terms, and unclear system feedback, leading to frustration and tool abandonment.
Low Confidence in AI Outputs
Many instructors doubted AI-generated materials due to a lack of transparent previews and contextual guidance.
Steep Learning Curve
Non-technical instructors struggled to onboard independently, often requiring external help to understand core workflows.
Inefficient Content Structuring
Difficulty visualizing and organizing nested outlines caused delays in course creation and frequent rework
ANALYSIS
To translate our research into actionable insights, we mapped the entire CorpusKey user flow and created an affinity diagram to categorize pain points, suggested solutions, and small delights.
The site map analysis helped us pinpoint critical friction areas, such as unclear entry points, ambiguous back navigation, and confusing prompt flows. This clarified exactly where instructors felt lost and overwhelmed.
Through affinity mapping, we clustered key pain points around lack of feedback, missing hierarchy, unclear instructions, and trust barriers. These insights directly shaped our design priorities and highlighted opportunities to simplify the platform and empower instructors to work confidently without external help.
Based on the analysis done, we decided to focus on three core opportunity areas
Combining insights from interviews, heuristic evaluation, and competitor analysis, we mapped the key friction points across the instructor journey. We identified major breakdowns in early onboarding, high cognitive load during outline creation, and a lack of trust in AI outputs.
Simplify workflows and reduce learning curve
Restructure outline creation and terminology to align with mental models of educators rather than developers
Clear feedback system and building trust
Volunteers desired more emotional connection and confidence rather than just efficiency.
Better UX copy for independent adoption
Create guidance and supportive UX copy that empower instructors to work without external help.
From this synthesis, I derived core design principles to guide solution development
Simplicity First
[KISS Principle]
Prioritize solutions that give time back rather than simply digitize existing workflows.
Confidence = Clarity
[Jakob’s Law]
Build instructor confidence in AI-generated content via clear previews, in-context guidance, and visible progress at every stage.
Guided Yet Flexible
[Fogg Behavior Model]
Design for self-sufficiency so instructors can navigate, and edit content confidently without needing external help or technical support.
Consistency & Clarity
[Consistency & Standards]
Ensure consistent interaction patterns and clear visual hierarchy to reduce errors, and create a smooth learning curve.
IDEATION
Guided by core design principles, we explored multiple ways to simplify workflows, clarify structure, and build trust in AI-generated content.
We started with low-fidelity sketches and wireframes to quickly test ideas such as nested outline structures, draggable content blocks, and contextual helper text. We also experimented with guided walkthrough flows and progressive onboarding to support independent exploration.
ITERATIONS
During this phase, we prioritized rapid iteration and early feedback from instructors, allowing us to validate mental models and uncover usability issues before moving to high-fidelity designs.
This approach helped us align our solutions with real instructor needs while keeping the business goals of adoption and retention front and center.
To quickly test information architecture, workflows, and key interaction patterns, we began with low-fidelity wireframes and flow sketches.
These early explorations allowed us to validate fundamental concepts with CASA volunteers and stakeholders before investing in detailed UI design.
BUSINESS MODEL
Alongside improving usability, we were tasked with designing a sustainable business strategy for CorpusKey
We proposed a freemium model, allowing instructors to explore core content creation features for free and upgrade to unlock premium capabilities — including advanced analytics, enhanced customization, and additional export options. This approach supports trial-based engagement while creating a clear value ladder for premium conversion.
To support seamless transactions, we recommended Stripe integration for easy, trusted payments, reducing friction in the upgrade journey. By aligning UX and business strategy, this model helps CorpusKey increase adoption, encourage experimentation, and scale revenue sustainably.
Business Goals
Revenue Maximization, User Retention, Market Positioning
Target Users
Professors, Administrators, Individual mentors
Strategy Focus
Freemium plan + Credit system with points
Why we chose the Freemium model for Corpus Key
To increase adoption and reduce entry barriers, we needed a model that empowers instructors to experience value upfront without immediate commitment , making CorpusKey more approachable and widely accessible.
Freemium
This plan will only allow them to create a single project with a limited number of outlines. A low-risk start helps users try the product with limited features.
Credit
The credit system allows rewarding engagement and incentivizes continued usage. Users earn points and redeem them for premium features.
Contact Sales
The contact sales option encourages users to explore tailored solutions and premium offerings through direct contact with the sales team.
DESIGN SYSTEM
To ensure a cohesive experience across CorpusKey, we created a design system that captured the visual language
Our system included reusable UI components, updated typography, color palettes optimized for accessibility, iconography, and clear interaction states. We also established design tokens and documentation guidelines to ensure smooth collaboration with developers and enable future feature expansion with minimal design debt.
DEVELOPER HAND-OFF
To support an efficient transition from design to development, we documented a comprehensive handoff guide outlining all UI components, interaction flows, and edge cases
This guide included annotated Figma files with usage instructions, states for dynamic elements (like drag-and-drop behaviors and outline previews), and clear guidance on responsive behavior. We also provided design tokens and specifications for typography, spacing, and colors to ensure pixel-perfect implementation.
TESTING
Participants were asked to create outlines and reorganize modules using drag-and-drop. Feedback revealed improved comprehension of workflows, higher trust in previews, and reduced reliance on external support
Key metrics included a 40% reduction in outline setup time, a significant increase in System Usability Scale (SUS) score from 55 to 85, and stronger positive sentiment around the simplified language and guidance.
Iterative refinements based on this feedback helped us align even more closely with instructors’ mental models and usability expectations, ensuring the final experience felt intuitive and empowering.
Hidden Advanced Options
Some volunteers struggled to understand the sidebar structure and where to find specific case-related reminders and files.
Initial Drag-and-Drop Confusion
A few users struggled with the early drag-and-drop interaction patterns before micro interactions were refined.
Simplified Outline Flow
Instructors found the new nested outline structure intuitive and easier to navigate without external help.
Supportive Microcopy
Participants appreciated having all child case details, upcoming tasks, and notes in one place.
IMPACT
Our redesigned CorpusKey experience empowered instructors to create course materials more confidently and efficiently, while also aligning with business growth goals.
Beyond metrics, users reported feeling more in control of their content and expressed higher trust in AI-generated outputs — a crucial factor for driving long-term adoption and brand loyalty.
40%
Reduction in outline setup time
Simplified workflows and clear nested structures helped instructors set up course outlines significantly faster.
30%
Increase in completion rate
Increased number of instructors who successfully publish or finalize a full set of materials after onboarding.
+30 points
System Usability Scale Score
System Usability Scale (SUS) score improved from 55 to 85 after redesign, reflecting significantly higher ease of use and instructor confidence.
REFLECTION
As a UX Designer
This project challenged me to balance deep user empathy with business strategy, and to redesign a highly technical tool into an approachable, educator-first experience.
What I learned:
The importance of aligning AI-powered workflows to mental models, rather than forcing users to adapt to system logic.
How strategic microcopy and transparent previews can build trust in complex, unfamiliar technologies.
The value of early, iterative testing to uncover usability issues and validate design direction before high-fidelity investments.