2025

Removing barriers to finding campus events, so students can connect to what matters

web → mobile

consumer

two-sided platform

shipped

Role

Product Designer (T1)

Lead Product Designer (T2)

timeline

January - May 2025

18 weeks

Team

3 product designers

3 software engineers

1 project manager

contributions

Product design

User research

Design systems

overview

Dartmouth's small campus culture thrives on the outdoors and campus events. However, event information is scattered across several platforms including email inboxes, websites, and group chats, making them easy to miss.

Through a partnership between the Outdoor Engagement Committee and my team at the DALI Lab, we're creating a new central, accessible database to streamline outdoor and campus event discovery, and reduce cross-platform confusion.

my contributions

Led and refined design for Deserto's home page and rentals catalog, as well as prototyping and initial design system, before handing off to ITC development.

results

Deserto is currently undergoing further design additions and development. Live in beta of Fall 2025.

0+

students impacted upon release

problem discovery

“A problem well stated is a problem half solved” — Charles Kettering

“A problem well stated is a problem half solved” — Charles Kettering

Problem Area #1

Problem Area #1

Information discovery for events was fragmented

Information discovery for events was fragmented

Information about outdoor activities, student events, and campus happenings was scattered across multiple platforms, making it difficult for students to find a reliable way to stay informed or discover new opportunities.

Information about outdoor activities, student events, and campus happenings was scattered across multiple platforms, making it difficult for students to find a reliable way to stay informed or discover new opportunities.

Student inboxes are flooded daily with dozens of event ads and school-wide emails.

Student inboxes are flooded daily with dozens of event ads and school-wide emails.

Clubs and organizations also use GroupMe to handle large message groups and event postings.

Clubs and organizations also use GroupMe to handle large message groups and event postings.

Dartmouth has several existing websites for facilities or organizations that host activities.

Dartmouth has several existing websites for facilities or organizations that host activities.

Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) posts student-led outdoor trips on a separate platform, Trailhead.

Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) posts student-led outdoor trips on a separate platform, Trailhead.

Dartmouth Groups also contained directory-style information about clubs, orgs, and events.

Dartmouth Groups also contained directory-style information about clubs, orgs, and events.

Often, events or activities are spread by word-of-mouth, which leaves some people out of the loop.

Often, events or activities are spread by word-of-mouth, which leaves some people out of the loop.

Problem Area #2

Problem Area #2

Unreliable information created barriers

Unreliable information created barriers

Even when students found events or activities to do, missing details about hours, availability, and equipment caused confusion and frustration. The result: missed opportunities and distrust in the information students were finding.

Even when students found events or activities to do, missing details about hours, availability, and equipment caused confusion and frustration. The result: missed opportunities and distrust in the information students were finding.

Without keeping up with emails, hour changes, cancellations, or weather disruptions could be missed.

Without keeping up with emails, hour changes, cancellations, or weather disruptions could be missed.

Too often, Dartmouth's existing facility websites showed outdated or hard-to-find information about hours and locations.

Too often, Dartmouth's existing facility websites showed outdated or hard-to-find information about hours and locations.

When signing up for outdoor trips or self-directed activities, it wasn't always clear for beginners how to rent equipment or what equipment to rent.

When signing up for outdoor trips or self-directed activities, it wasn't always clear for beginners how to rent equipment or what equipment to rent.

Problem Area #3

Problem Area #3

Admin-side workflows were outdated

Admin-side workflows were outdated

Information about facility closures or weather disruptions was often out of date, only posted on paper, or missing entirely, leaving students unaware of changes and caught off guard.

Information about facility closures or weather disruptions was often out of date, only posted on paper, or missing entirely, leaving students unaware of changes and caught off guard.

Rental items were still managed with pen-and-paper systems that relied on physical student IDs, making real-time inventory updates or renting in advance nearly impossible.

Rental items were still managed with pen-and-paper systems that relied on physical student IDs, making real-time inventory updates or renting in advance nearly impossible.

As a result, we'd already seen students consistently asking questions about rentals, opening times, and locations, especially for seasonal activities like ice skating.

As a result, we'd already seen students consistently asking questions about rentals, opening times, and locations, especially for seasonal activities like ice skating.

user research

We uncovered how this problem impacted students' extracurricular experiences.

We uncovered how this problem impacted students' extracurricular experiences.

We interviewed 5 undergraduates about their experiences in discovering and participating in Dartmouth events.

We interviewed 5 undergraduates about their experiences in discovering and participating in Dartmouth events.

Fragmented information discovery

Fragmented information discovery

Poor existing resources

Students found existing Dartmouth websites poorly developed, and not being able to find updated event hours made the limited resources seem untrustworthy and spontaneity difficult.

Difficulty on-the-go

Students noted poor mobile compatibility with existing platforms like Trailhead and facility websites, which deterred students from finding or planning activities.

Being out-of-the-know

One student remarked that as a freshman, she often stayed inside because she didn't know about resources and events. Most events she knew of were by word-of-mouth.

Barriers to entry

Barriers to entry

Feeling unprepared

Students want to try different sports, events, or outdoor activities for different seasons, but are sometimes unsure where to start for each season.

Uncertainty about gears and rentals

Some students were unsure how to dress for certain outdoor activities, especially for winter activities that require extra gear.

Messaging

Large GroupMe chats for event clubs could be intimidating to talk within — one student noted this as a barrier and hoped for an anonymous messaging board.

Accessibility levels

Difficulty levels of certain events weren't clearly communicated, which was not inclusive of students with different physical capabilities or preferences.

"I don't want to go all the way to where ice skating happens just to see that it’s closed."

— Undergraduate student interviewee

— Undergraduate student interviewee

These experiences were connected to how facility managers currently operate.

These experiences were connected to how facility managers currently operate.

I interviewed a student manager for one of the rental facilities on campus, as well as a staff manager for the Outdoor Programs office, which oversees all operations for outdoor events.

I interviewed a student manager for one of the rental facilities on campus, as well as a staff manager for the Outdoor Programs office, which oversees all operations for outdoor events.

Outdated rental systems

Rentals are currently tracked using paper and writing down names and dates. Student IDs have to be presented on the spot. Inventory is large and hard to track live, especially sizes, and the website only lists what exists, not quantities.

Paper closure notices

If a facility was closed for the day, sometimes the only notification was a sheet of paper taped to the door.

Safety and live time info

Certain locations are intentionally not promoted at certain times (e.g. winter waterfront access) due to dangerous behavior

scoping

To solve the solution for multiple stakeholders, we scoped for multiple interfaces.

To solve the solution for multiple stakeholders, we scoped for multiple interfaces.

With both event participants (students, alumni) and event organizers, we established needing a student facing side and an admin facing side.

Students

First-year students & students interested in outdoor events and events in general across campus.

Alumni

Dozens of alumni who visit the Upper Valley area each year and continue their involvement in events and outdoor activities.

Facility admins & managers

Select students and faculty who are in charge of outdoor facilities and event logistics.

Additional stakeholders were looped in on the project as well. We kept in consistent contact with them for their expertise.

Outdoor Programs Office (OPO)

Staff in charge of all the outdoor program committees, who were maintaining the existing Dartmouth Outdoors site.

Dartmouth Information, Technology, and Consulting (ITC)

A Dartmouth ITC team of 3 staff members, who were partnered with my team to maintain product development long-term.

Dartmouth's President Office

Dartmouth's president, President Beilock, and the president's office were also invested in the project's impact on student life and outdoor wellness.

constraints & tradeoffs

Navigating constraints to make the platform practical and technically feasible

Navigating constraints to make the platform practical and technically feasible

Not remaking existing sources

Avoided adding trail data or trip sign-ups, which existed elsewhere. Instead focused on filling gaps with less known events or resources

Finding the ideal tech platform

Initially scoped for a mobile app, but through feedback we realized a responsive web platform would be more sustainable and accessible

Avoiding information overload

Prioritized Deserto as a starting point for activity exploration, rather than listing everything all at once

Mapping out core flows helped us, and engineers, stay on the same page.

Mapping out core flows helped us, and engineers, stay on the same page.

Before starting any designs, we ensured that information hierarchy was clear by creating architecture diagrams. This was crucial in working out logical kinks, and aligning stakeholders, designers, and engineers so that everyone understood how the product functioned.

Before starting any designs, we ensured that information hierarchy was clear by creating architecture diagrams. This was crucial in working out logical kinks, and aligning stakeholders, designers, and engineers so that everyone understood how the product functioned.

  • Home page / Information architecture

  • Rentals page / Information architecture

  • Calendar page / Information architecture

Since I took lead on rentals, I worked with our PM and engineers to discuss how rental items would flow between the admin-side, backend database, and student-side applications. This helped my team and stakeholders work through all the potential use cases, edge cases, and technical needs.

Since I took lead on rentals, I worked with our PM and engineers to discuss how rental items would flow between the admin-side, backend database, and student-side applications. This helped my team and stakeholders work through all the potential use cases, edge cases, and technical needs.

Rental item data flow / Rough whiteboarding

Rental item data flow / Rough whiteboarding

We uncovered a set of interdependent rules, like notification timings and rental time limits, that required clear definitions. Since this information flows across admins, users, and the backend database, we needed to account for how it behaves across the entire system.


With my team, I mapped out these flows end-to-end and used them to define a more structured experience, ensuring that actions taken by one role (e.g. admins) translated clearly and predictably for users.

We uncovered a set of interdependent rules, like notification timings and rental time limits, that required clear definitions. Since this information flows across admins, users, and the backend database, we needed to account for how it behaves across the entire system.


With my team, I mapped out these flows end-to-end and used them to define a more structured experience, ensuring that actions taken by one role (e.g. admins) translated clearly and predictably for users.

ideation

Exploring design options for each core feature

Exploring design options for each core feature

I initially worked on the rentals catalog, before also expanding my work to the home page and building off initial work from my co-designer. My other co-designer worked on the calendar events feature.

I initially worked on the rentals catalog, before also expanding my work to the home page and building off initial work from my co-designer. My other co-designer worked on the calendar events feature.

  • Home page / Grayscale iterations

  • Rentals page / Grayscale iterations

  • Rentals page / Grayscale iterations

Our stakeholders originally wanted additional Dartmouth resources to be linked within the platform. However, we realized this was expanding the scope of the platform to be an information library and not an event-centered platform. We then scratched this idea in favor of prioritizing campus and outdoor events only.

Our stakeholders originally wanted additional Dartmouth resources to be linked within the platform. However, we realized this was expanding the scope of the platform to be an information library and not an event-centered platform. We then scratched this idea in favor of prioritizing campus and outdoor events only.

feature breakdown

A multi-feature, two-sided platform

A multi-feature, two-sided platform

The product team operated in two 10-week terms. After my team and I created proof-of-concept designs in Term 1, I refined screens post-handoff to include standardized components and fix styling issues for consistency going into Term 2.

The product team operated in two 10-week terms. After my team and I created proof-of-concept designs in Term 1, I refined screens post-handoff to include standardized components and fix styling issues for consistency going into Term 2.

Robinson Hall

Equipment rentals, DOC meeting rooms

Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

See weekly hours >

Open

Home and discovery

Home and discovery

I built off of initial design work, creating the entry point to find updated information on events, facilities, and things to do around Dartmouth.

I built off of initial design work, creating the entry point to find updated information on events, facilities, and things to do around Dartmouth.

Figure ice skates

Footwear, WINTER SPORTS

Robinson Hall

20+ available

One-person tent

Camping

DOC House

8 available

Rentals

Rentals

I designed the catalog of available equipment to rent for outdoor activities, to reduce barriers for event participation.

I designed the catalog of available equipment to rent for outdoor activities, to reduce barriers for event participation.

Dartmouth outing club

Winter A Capella show

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Occom Pond

View more details

Calendar

Calendar

My co-designer created a page for longer-term events so upcoming activities are easily accessible and plannable. I refined elements and screens.

My co-designer created a page for longer-term events so upcoming activities are easily accessible and plannable. I refined elements and screens.

CHECKOUT

Admin portal

Admin portal

We each owned one page within the admin portal, helping admins track rentals and inventory, post events, and monitor participation.

We each owned one page within the admin portal, helping admins track rentals and inventory, post events, and monitor participation.

Solution

An all-in-one campus event discovery hub, complete with calendar and equipment rental features.

An all-in-one campus event discovery hub, complete with calendar and equipment rental features.

As a single entry point web app developed for both web and mobile platforms, Deserto simplifies the event discovery process and makes going to events more spontaneous and accessible.

As a single entry point web app developed for both web and mobile platforms, Deserto simplifies the event discovery process and makes going to events more spontaneous and accessible.

"Deserto" comes from Dartmouth's motto "Vox clamantis in deserto," meaning "A voice crying out in the wilderness".

"Deserto" comes from Dartmouth's motto "Vox clamantis in deserto," meaning "A voice crying out in the wilderness".

  1. Home: reducing complexity at the entry point

My priority for the home was reducing complexity and showing the most critical information first while keeping the UI clean and scannable.


At the top, the page show's today’s events in horizontal pagination, and we decided on large cards for the UI with time, location, and a ‘happening now’ tag for live events. This lets students quickly see what’s immediately relevant.

My priority for the home was reducing complexity and showing the most critical information first while keeping the UI clean and scannable.


At the top, the page show's today’s events in horizontal pagination, and we decided on large cards for the UI with time, location, and a ‘happening now’ tag for live events. This lets students quickly see what’s immediately relevant.

Home page / Mobile

Home page / Mobile

Upcoming events were shown in smaller cards within a horizontal carousel to give a glanceable view of the next few days. We landed on this layout. since it follows existing common layouts of websites that students are familiar with using.

Upcoming events were shown in smaller cards within a horizontal carousel to give a glanceable view of the next few days. We landed on this layout. since it follows existing common layouts of websites that students are familiar with using.

  • Home page pt.2 / Mobile

  • Home page / Explore category / Mobile

  • Home page / Activity page / Mobile

  1. Rentals: designing for accuracy and trust

The goal was to improve clarity and confidence before students ever left their dorm to pick up rentals. The rentals feature starts with a searchable catalog, category filters, and clear indicators of where items are available.

The goal was to improve clarity and confidence before students ever left their dorm to pick up rentals. The rentals feature starts with a searchable catalog, category filters, and clear indicators of where items are available.

When a student clicks into an item, they can see pickup locations, rental periods, and available sizes, and reserve directly using their student ID. If something isn’t available, they can join a waitlist rather than hitting a dead end.

When a student clicks into an item, they can see pickup locations, rental periods, and available sizes, and reserve directly using their student ID. If something isn’t available, they can join a waitlist rather than hitting a dead end.

  • Rentals page / Mobile

  • Rentals page / Mobile

  • Rentals page / Mobile

  • Rentals page / Mobile

  • Rentals page / Mobile

  1. Calendar: enabling long-term planning and browsing

The calendar shows a month view, with a subtle indicator under days that have events, so students can quickly scan what’s coming up. From the event detail page, students can add the event to their personal calendar, and, when relevant, rent required equipment directly for the event.

The calendar shows a month view, with a subtle indicator under days that have events, so students can quickly scan what’s coming up. From the event detail page, students can add the event to their personal calendar, and, when relevant, rent required equipment directly for the event.

  • Calendar page / Mobile

  • Calendar event / Mobile

  1. An admin portal to turn manual work digital

As part of the two-sided platform, my team and I created an admin portal mockup for facility managers to input events, hours, and track rentals and inventory.


Our designs and prototypes served as proof-of-concept, which were handed off internally to Dartmouth's ITC team to continue refinement and development. I worked cross-functionally with their engineers to explain data architecture, feature functionality, as well as design annotations and components.

As part of the two-sided platform, my team and I created an admin portal mockup for facility managers to input events, hours, and track rentals and inventory.


Our designs and prototypes served as proof-of-concept, which were handed off internally to Dartmouth's ITC team to continue refinement and development. I worked cross-functionally with their engineers to explain data architecture, feature functionality, as well as design annotations and components.

Admin portal / Inventory / Web only demo

Admin portal / Inventory / Web only demo

Admin portal / Manage rentals / Web only demo

Admin portal / Manage rentals / Web only demo

Reflections

What I learned

Good solutions don't need a lot of features

The initial scope was much more expansive, but I learned to prioritize features that balanced technical feasibility with the highest user impact. More features didn't necessarily mean better.

Information flows are your holy grail

We spent a lot of time creating and discussing wireflows to really nail down the information architecture and flow of data. That made the design process, and collaboration with developers, much easier afterwards.

thanks for being here.
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Resumé

Rachael Huang © 2026

thanks for being here.
let's connect!

LinkedIn

Email

Twitter

Resumé

Rachael Huang © 2026

thanks for being here.
let's connect!

LinkedIn

Email

Twitter

Resumé

Rachael Huang © 2026