Groundwork

Project Story / About the project

Problem Statement & its relation to the theme "Designing for the In-Between"

Post-Grad Purgatory describes the period right after graduation when someone is no longer a student but does not yet feel like a professional. Their structure, identity, and daily rhythm disappear almost overnight.

There is no syllabus, no built-in community, and no clear next step. This phase affects millions of graduates every year, yet no product is designed specifically for this moment itself. Most existing tools focus on what comes after, such as the job search, the apartment hunt, or building a professional network, but none support the unstable space in between.

That makes it deeply overlooked. It is also inherently transitional because the person has left one stable identity and has not yet formed the next, and there is no clear timeline for when that shift will feel complete. Most importantly, it is uncomfortable. It brings uncertainty, comparison, and pressure to figure everything out quickly.

Instead of distracting users from that discomfort or pushing them toward immediate productivity, Groundwork is designed to help them move through this uncertainty with support. The Daily Shape introduces a flexible rhythm to the day so time feels structured without being rigid. The Identity Inventory encourages ongoing reflection so users can rebuild a sense of self beyond academic labels or achievements. Scatter Map and Micro Horizon help translate vague interests into small, manageable directions by capturing emerging ideas and narrowing focus to Today, This Week, and This Month. Together, these features support clarity as something that develops gradually, directly addressing an overlooked, transitional, and emotionally difficult life stage by designing for the in-between itself.