Metwork
Helping Legal Professionals Build Stronger, More Diverse Teams.
Metwork was not just another networking platform; it was an opportunity to design a space where connection, growth, and opportunity could thrive. Through thoughtful UX, fresh branding, and a human-centered approach, we reimagined what professional networking could feel like.
Design Systems
Process
Team Leadership
Research
My Role
As the Design Lead, I was responsible for building and guiding the design team from the ground up. I hired, mentored, and led designers while defining a clear and scalable design process. I developed a robust design system in Figma and partnered with Engineering to create live components in Storybook. I worked closely with Product to transform ideas into intuitive user flows and led user testing and feedback loops to ensure our designs stayed aligned with real user needs.
The Challenge
When I joined Metwork, there was no unified design system or visual language in place. Collaboration between design, product, and engineering was fragmented, leading to inconsistencies across the platform. There was also no formal user testing process to validate ideas or improve the user experience. At the same time, the team needed to grow quickly and align around a shared vision to support the company's goals.
Building the Team and Process
I hired and mentored a team of product designers, creating a culture centered around curiosity, ownership, and collaboration. We introduced weekly critiques, paired working sessions, and async feedback tools to keep things moving smoothly. I also rolled out a repeatable design process that worked seamlessly with Agile sprints. It kept designers close to the product work while giving them space to explore and iterate.
Branding for Metwork’s Design System, Kangaroo
Creating the Design System
To bring consistency, efficiency, and scalability to Metwork’s product development, I led the creation of the company’s first design system. Built in Figma, the system included modular components, type and color scales, and flexible layout rules designed to adapt as the platform evolved. I introduced the use of Figma variables to manage color themes, spacing tokens, and role-based UI variations, making it easier to scale the system across future sub-brands and different user types.
I worked closely with Engineering to sync our Figma library with Storybook, creating a live component library that served as a single source of truth. Every element was fully documented for usage, states, and accessibility, which improved cross-team collaboration and dramatically reduced design and development time. The system became the foundation for faster feature releases, more consistent user experiences, and a platform that could flex and grow with the needs of the business.
Screenshot of the color primitives
Partnering with Engineering
A key aspect of my role involved close collaboration with the engineering team to translate design concepts into functional components. By integrating our design components into Storybook, we established a living library that bridged the gap between design and development. This partnership ensured pixel-perfect implementation of our designs, reduced miscommunication, and streamlined the development process.
Collaborated with the Front-end Team in StoryBook
Driving Product Collaboration and Execution
Beyond collaborating with the product management team, I took an active leadership role in shaping how ideas moved from concept to launch. I worked hands-on to transform strategic goals and user insights into clear, actionable user flows and interaction models. To strengthen cross-functional collaboration, I earned my ScrumMaster certification, allowing me to streamline workflows, remove blockers, and drive alignment between product, design, and engineering. This proactive approach helped us deliver user experiences that were not only intuitive but directly tied to business growth and user success.
Leading User Testing
Understanding the importance of user feedback, I introduced regular user testing sessions utilizing prototypes and moderated interactions. These sessions provided invaluable insights into user behaviors and preferences, allowing us to refine our designs proactively. This user-centric approach not only enhanced the usability of our products but also fostered a culture of empathy and continuous improvement within the team.
The Outcome
A scalable design system adopted across all product verticals
Streamlined handoffs and faster development cycles
A strong design culture built on ownership and clarity
Better UX through consistent testing and feedback
A high-functioning team delivering fast, thoughtful work
Reflection
My tenure at Metwork was marked by significant contributions in design leadership, team building, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. By implementing scalable design systems, fostering strong partnerships with engineering and product teams, and prioritizing user feedback, we delivered products that were both innovative and user-friendly. This experience solidified my expertise in leading design initiatives that drive business success and enhance user satisfaction.