I joined the Mello team initially to run a design sprint. This turned into a longer collaboration as the company pivoted from a babysitting co-operative platform to a localised social network for families to meet and connect for playdates and support. We redesigned and took the app through Maze X Accelerator in Lisbon and Techstars Accelerator in Berlin.
As we built the startup team, my role shifted shifted to not only include user research, UX, and UI design but also product management and strategy, creating roadmaps and guiding development processes. As Head of Design & Product, I initiated a rebranding collaboration with the agency Studio Skulptur, which we then rolled out across the app UI and marketing materials. I worked with 2 other talented designers as we created and tested new features, added animations and illustrations, and created marketing campaigns.
The re-designed app was very well received, and has allowed many isolated parents to forge new friendships with their neighbours. I found working on a social impact startup a very rewarding experience, during which I moved far out of my comfort zone and hugely expanded my skillset.
