“Where do I even find side projects?” If you’ve worked in tech, chances are that thought has crossed your mind at least once.
BsideU is created with that exact moment in mind — when you’re motivated to learn, build, or collaborate, but don’t know where to start. It brings side projects, community events, and job opportunities together in one place, so you don’t have to bounce between scattered platforms anymore.
It’s built to support those who want to gain experience beyond their day job, connect with others who share their drive, and expand their network—all while doing work they’re genuinely passionate about.
A Project Owner and UX/UI Designer - Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability testing, User research, User Survey, Market research, Visual design, Branding, 3D design.
As a UX/UI designer in the tech industry, I’ve seen firsthand how scattered resources and limited opportunities can stall even the most passionate professionals.
Our mission is simple but heartfelt: to build a supportive environment where IT professionals can gain real experience, grow their skills, and advance their careers together.
Q1. Do you know where to find side projects or event beyond your school or community groups?
▸ 80% of respondents answered don't know
Q2. Which of the following matters most when you’re looking for a new job or making a career move?
▸ 15 respondents answered that networking and collaboration are most important
✓ A short survey was conducted with 30 professionals from the Vancouver Designer Community (VDC) and Canada Designer & Developer (CDD) groups. The survey was shared through community group chats and Slack channels. Participants included 14 designers, 11 developers, and 5 product managers.
Celina Chen
[Junior Product Designer]
"I did a few school projects, but after graduating, I had no idea where to go to build real experience."
Joshua L
[Senior PM]
“My day-to-day feels repetitive..
I want something fresh, something that pushes me to grow again.”
Taylor M
[Intermediate Developer]
“I want to collaborate with people in my field, build a network naturally, and stay motivated by sharing ideas with others.”
It’s clear that side projects aren’t just about filling time. For many, they’re a real chance to build skills, meet people, and reignite their passion for what they do. But despite the need, most people don’t know where to start.
✦ Many tech professionals don’t know where to find projects or how to assemble a team.
✓ Unified discovery of side projects, hackathons and job listings in one place
✓ Instant apply or post a project to recruit collaborators
✦ Lack of new challenges and repetitive work reduces motivation and stalls career growth.
✓ Curated rotation of projects, workshops and events across key categories
✓ Subscribe to topics you care about and get instant notifications
✦ Authentic networking and collaboration are essential for career moves and job searches.
✓ SSO Log in via LinkedIn, Google or Slack for verified connections
✓ Rating and sharing reviews with each other after completing the projects
This user flow visualizes the core journey of BsideU users, from signing up to exploring projects, applying, or building teams. It maps out each interaction step to ensure a smooth and intuitive user experience. ➡ View FigJam
To bring ideas to life quickly and validate core user flows early on, we kicked off the project with low-fidelity wireframes. At this stage, the focus wasn’t on visual polish, but on mapping out key interactions, content hierarchy, and the overall structure. ➡ View FigJam
We conducted usability testing with six professionals working in the IT industry, our core target audience, using a low-fidelity prototype.
Through scenario-based testing, we were able to gather valuable insights into user flow, feature clarity, and overall usability from a real-world perspective.
✦ Feedback 1
“Leaving a comment on a project feels easy and straightforward, but I’m not sure how comfortable I’d feel asking a question that everyone can see.
Rebecca, Intermediate Backend Developer
✓ Solution
We’re adding private messaging in Version 2 to support more personal and secure communication between users.
✦ Feedback 2
“I love the idea of having job and event boards! It's useful. But it’d be even better if users could click through and apply directly from the post instead of just reading it.”
Mindy Kim, Senior Product Designer
✓ Solution
We added CTA buttons that link directly to the original job or event posting, allowing users to apply or register instantly.
✦ Feedback 3
“I think user safety needs to be taken seriously. It’s great that anyone can post a project and find collaborators, but that also opens the door to scams.”
Robert, Senior Frontend Developer
✓ Solution
We added a feature that allows users to report and block others, which helps to foster trust throughout the platform.
Key feedback points were brought into our weekly design reviews, where the team took time to reflect, prioritize, and make meaningful adjustments. Some features were reworked, while others were added entirely based on repeated user input.
These conversations helped us sharpen our product direction and significantly improve usability. This phase became one of the turning points of the project, showing just how powerful user feedback and team collaboration can be when thoughtfully applied.
Based on insights from user testing and team discussions, we made key refinements and added a few new features before moving into the high-fidelity prototyping stage.
We iterated quickly, applying user feedback in real-time and weighing feasibility alongside user needs. The result was a high-fidelity prototype that not only captured the final look and feel of the product but also served as a clear foundation for the development handoff.
BsideU will first launch as a web platform, allowing users to access the full range of services without needing to download an app. The entire experience has been thoughtfully designed with responsiveness in mind, so users can comfortably explore and collaborate from any device — whether they’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone.
We focused on creating a clean and intuitive interface that guides users naturally through the platform. By testing early versions and iterating based on feedback, we refined the navigation flow and made sure key actions are easy to find and simple to use.
This summer, BsideU is set to launch across Canada.
This project started as a simple idea, but it was rooted in real frustrations I experienced while working in the industry, and in the recurring needs I kept hearing from peers around me.
From the very beginning, I was deeply involved in every stage of the process from user research and problem definition to solution mapping, prioritization, flow design, prototyping, and validation. I was helping shape the direction of the product. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey was designing an MVP that was not only realistic to build quickly, but also scalable and meaningful to users. By constantly iterating based on feedback, I was able to create a user experience that balances practicality with long-term vision.
Of course, none of this would’ve been possible without the incredible team that brought it all to life. I’m deeply grateful for their collaboration, insights, and energy. At the heart of this project is one clear goal: to help create a better environment for people in the tech industry.
BsideU is just the starting point. I hope to keep growing as a designer who creates meaningful products and drives real impact.
