MKoBi Website Redesign & Development

Role

Product Designer

Timeline

May-Oct 2025

Skills & Tools

Figma, Wireframing, High-Fidelity Prototyping, Interaction Design

Overview

The Michigan Korean Business Society (MKoBi) is a professional student organization at the University of Michigan that promotes global Korean business networks. As Co-President and lead designer, I rebuilt MKoBi’s website from the ground up using Figma, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, and Adobe Illustrator. The goal was to create a professional, accessible, and visually consistent website that reflects the club’s identity and helps attract new members.

Purpose

Increase visibility, improve UI/UX consistencey, and communicate the club's identity and values

Tools, Methods & Skills

Tools: Figma, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, Adobe Illustrator

Methods: User feedback sessions, competitor analysis, design system creation, iterative testing

Skills: Front-end development, responsive design, component libraries, accessibility, design documentation

Context / Background

MKoBi is a fast-growing organization connecting Korean business students and professionals. The previous website had visual inconsistencies, misaligned layouts, and unclear navigation. As the organization expanded, a more cohesive and professional online presence became essential for recruitment and credibility.

Problem Statement

The old website suffered from:

  • Poor color consistency and layout alignment

  • Incorrect member titles and unprofessional visuals

  • Lack of clear application flow and storytelling about MKoBi’s mission

This led to confusion for visitors and frustration among members, making the site feel disorganized and incomplete.

Research & Insights

I conducted a light comparative study of three similar professional club websites and gathered informal feedback from five current members.

  • Users valued a clean, modern, and consistent design

  • They wanted easy navigation and accurate, aligned member profiles

  • Applicants needed clear timelines and instructions for applying

These insights informed both the visual hierarchy and content structure.

Personas

  • Prospective Members: Want to quickly understand MKoBi’s mission, culture, and how to apply.

  • Current Members: Want to see themselves represented professionally and use the site for credibility when networking.

Design Process

1. Define

Reviewed MKoBi’s founding statement and values to set the tone: the site should express professionalism, community, and ambition.

2. Research

Benchmarked peer organizations and collected member feedback to shape the site’s goals and must-have features.

3. Analysis & Planning

Planned a four-page structure:

  • Home: Mission and visual overview

  • About: Founder’s message and three pillars

  • Members: Aligned headshots with hover interactions

  • Apply: Application process, timeline, and FAQs

4. Design Goals

  • Modern and minimal aesthetic

  • Consistent alignment and structure

  • Interactive features that communicate values

5. Wireframes & Iteration

Created one sketch and three Figma iterations — from low-fidelity rectangles to fully interactive high-fidelity prototypes with hover and click flows.

Final Design / Outcome

The finished website presents MKoBi as a polished, credible organization.

  • Clear navigation and consistent color hierarchy

  • Modern typography and minimal black-gray palette

  • Interactive hover effects and structured member showcase

  • Streamlined application page with embedded timeline and resources

Reflection / Impact

Impact:

  • Stronger brand presence and credibility for MKoBi

  • Streamlined communication of core values and application process

  • Improved member satisfaction with accurate and aligned visuals


Lessons Learned:

  • Design clarity and developer documentation save time and reduce confusion

  • Figma should focus on user flow and visual intent, not excessive prototyping

  • Accessibility and scalability need to be integrated from the start

  • Responsive design is essential and will be prioritized in the next iteration


Through this project, I learned how to bridge UX design and front-end development effectively. Building the site from concept to launch helped me understand both the creative and technical sides of delivering a professional, functional product.

© Jiwoo Baik 2025

© Jiwoo Baik 2025

© Jiwoo Baik 2025