is an immigration platform designed to help Venezuelan refugees understand, apply for, and track Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.
//Role
Lead UX Designer
//Duration
16 weeks, part-time
//Context
MICA Masters of Professional Studies in UX Design
//Industry
GovTech / Immigration
I led the project end to end, including user interviews, research, information architecture, design, prototyping, and usability testing.
Problem & Opportunity
The Problem Venezuela has experienced a mass exodus of over 5.6 million people due to political and economic instability. The United States became one of the primary destinations for Venezuelan refugees, and in 2021, TPS was granted to over 300,000 individuals. Despite this, the TPS application process remains complex, unfamiliar, and intimidating. Many applicants rely on intermediaries due to confusing forms, language barriers, and lack of trustworthy guidance, often at a high financial cost.
The Opportunity There was an opportunity to create a centralized, trustworthy platform that could guide users through the TPS process, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and help immigrants better integrate into life in the United States.
Goals & Success Criteria
Make the TPS application process easier to understand and complete Reduce confusion, anxiety, and dependency on intermediaries Centralize reliable information, application tracking, and community support Create a product that respects users’ financial and emotional constraints Success would be measured qualitatively through clarity, confidence, and perceived ease of use.
Context & Constraints
This was a class project completed alongside a full-time job. The scope was intentionally ambitious, but time, access to users, and the emotional sensitivity of the subject matter introduced real constraints. Additionally, the target audience was niche, limiting the pool of available participants for research and testing.
Users & Research
Target Users
Venezuelan refugees currently applying for or eligible for TPS, with varying levels of English proficiency, financial stability, and familiarity with U.S. systems.
Key Insights Most users relied on intermediaries due to form complexity Cost was a greater concern than lack of information English proficiency heavily influenced confidence and success Users prioritized job opportunities and language education upon arrival The process felt fragmented, stressful, and inefficient
Research Approach6 qualitative interviews Mix of in-person and video interviews Participants were Venezuelan women in their mid-20s to early-30s All had lived in the U.S. for at least five years and were actively navigating the TPS process
Problem Statement
How might we help Venezuelan immigrants understand, apply for, and track TPS in a way that is clear, affordable, and supportive throughout the entire process?
Strategy & Approach
I focused on simplifying complexity through structure, clarity, and guidance. Rather than redesigning government forms directly, the platform acts as a bridge, translating requirements into understandable steps while offering support, progress tracking, and community knowledge.
Information Architecture & Flows
The platform was structured around four core areas: • Application guidance • Status tracking • Information database • Community support Sitemaps and user flows were designed to reduce cognitive load and help users understand where they were, what came next, and what actions were required.
Design System & Visual Direction
The name Pontis, Latin for “bridge,” reflects the product’s purpose as a connection between refugees and their new environment. The visual system emphasizes clarity and trust. A minimal bridge icon and colors inspired by the U.S. flag were chosen to suggest stability and legitimacy without feeling overly bureaucratic.
Wireframes to Prototype
Low-fidelity wireframes focused on structure and flow rather than visuals. As designs evolved, components were refined using a consistent system to ensure scalability and efficiency. A clickable prototype was built to validate interactions and end-to-end flows.
Usability Testing & Iteration
I conducted five qualitative usability tests. Key findings led to meaningful design changes.
Problem The community section lacked information users considered essential Solution Added a missing section based on research priorities
Problem Users questioned the credibility of responses in the community tab Solution Introduced verified responses and visual distinction for official sources
Problem Excessive scrolling caused frustration Solution Added a floating action button for quick navigation
Problem Users wanted immediate actions after reading content Solution Introduced contextual quick actions
