Element451: Streamlining higher-ed enrolment at scale

Role

Product Designer. Partnered with the CDO and VP Product, focused on navigation, core workflows, and a new tasks system.

Problem

The team had shipped only ~8% of the roadmap, but the product already felt overwhelming. Navigation patterns were conflicting, key flows were heavy, and users still depended on external tools to manage their daily work.

Core moves

Navigation spine:

Consolidated multiple conflicting navigation patterns into a single, scalable structure to ensure UI consistency across all platform modules.

Interface simplification:

Redesigned exports around the 92% of common use cases and reworked decision boards to prioritize intuitiveness over visual cleverness.

Integrated task management:

Launched a tasks system within the platform, reducing dependence on third-party tools and feeding higher-quality data into automation.

AI groundwork:

Introduced early AI surfaces as plain-language helpers embedded in real workflows, utilizing heavy testing to ensure reliability before rollout.

Results

• 24% reduction in support call volume following the task system and workflow simplifications.
• 2x user base growth within a year as improved retention supported rapid scaling.
• Experience improvements directly supported the company’s successful Series B funding round.