Mindgrades
Industry
EdTech
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
May 2025
About Gymr
Mindgrades helps UPSC aspirants stay consistent through community-led prep, curated content, and shared progress. It’s built to make preparation less isolating and more effective.
Abstract
Designed a new mentorship booking feature for Mindgrades to help UPSC aspirants connect with verified mentors. Balanced user flow simplicity with backend constraints to fit into the existing app structure.
Problem Statement
UPSC aspirants needed a simple way to connect with trusted mentors for one-on-one guidance. I had to design this feature using Mindgrades’ existing design system and fit it smoothly into the current app structure. At the same time, I worked around backend limitations to make sure the flow stayed clean, fast, and easy to use.
Goals
Designing a mentorship booking flow wasn’t just about solving a user problem. It also had to work within the constraints of Mindgrades’ existing app, design system, and backend. These goals helped guide every decision to balance user value, visual consistency, and implementation feasibility.
User & Product Research
Understanding Aspirant Motivation
I noticed users weren’t just looking for more study material. They genuinely wanted guidance from someone who had already cracked the exam and could relate to their journey.
Gaps in Existing Solutions
While many platforms offered content and forums, there wasn’t a simple or trustworthy way to connect with credible mentors for one-on-one help.
Opportunity Within the Product
Mindgrades already had a strong UPSC community for it’s early phase. This mentorship feature felt like a natural next step, as long as it could smoothly fit into what users were already familiar with.
Building the Core Flow
Closing the loop → Flows after booking & after call completion
Post- Booking & Pre-Call
Post-Call & Feedback
Designs
(ofcourse :D)
Coming Soon States
Added “Coming Soon” states on the home and guidance pages to let users know the mentorship feature was in progress. It helped keep the flow intact and set the right expectations early on.
Home Page
Guidance Page
Booking Details
Handling Post-Checkout & Pre-Call States
Nudging the user to buy the transcript again at the booking details page with added info which can lead to user to buying it from here.
Transcript Not Bought State
Informing the user about the transcript that they’ve bought
Shows Relevant call information keeping the user informed
Transcript Bought State
Nudging the user to buy the transcript again at the booking details page with added info which can lead to user to buying it from here.
Transcript Not Bought State
Informing the user about the transcript that they’ve bought
Shows Relevant call information keeping the user informed
Transcript Bought State
Home Page
Mentors Preview
Mentor’s service (IAS, IPS, etc.) & their All India Rank (AIR) builds trust in user’s mind
It helps aspirants make informed decisions, knowing exactly who they're booking with.
Showing actual mentors early in the flow also reduces doubt and boosts conversion
Retaining the Header with important information & touchpoints
Clear & direct CTA to navigate to the Guidance page
Checkout
Increasing Sales of Low-Ticket Add-on
This placement makes the add-on feel like a natural extension of the main session, not a separate product. It feels like a “Want fries with that?” moment. Smooth, non-intrusive, and highly contextual.
Transcript add-on added state
A prompt when the user tries to remove the add-on, a subtle nudge to keep the add-on will increase it’s sales.
Why show “View Breakdown” here & not like Q-Commerce or Food delivery apps?
Shows users the direct total amount with proper breakdown just near the checkout button which keeps the user informed
This placement makes the add-on feel like a natural extension of the main session, not a separate product. It feels like a “Want fries with that?” moment. Smooth, non-intrusive, and highly contextual.
Transcript add-on added state
A prompt when the user tries to remove the add-on, a subtle nudge to keep the add-on will increase it’s sales.
Why show “View Breakdown” here & not like Q-Commerce or Food delivery apps?
Shows users the direct total amount with proper breakdown just near the checkout button which keeps the user informed
Guidance Page
Why no Filters?
For a early stage feature which will not have as much mentors & data to apply filters and can lead to confusion in early adaption. Sort by can fulfill user needs in short term & Filters can be added later.
Adds social proof and conveys the mentor’s effectiveness. (contextual to each mentor)
Indicates user feedback
& mentor’s speciality
Helps users quickly book sessions based on availability
Closable banner nudge to increase signups for mentors
Immediately builds credibility and trust by showcasing the mentor's service and All India Rank (AIR).
Topper’s Booking Page
Rating & the number of bookings adds social proof & builds user’s trust in the mentor
User is more likely to click because the value and effort are both crystal clear.
It primes the user to trust the session. By the time they see the title, rating, or price, they’re already leaning toward booking.
visually reinforces trust and encourages purchase, especially when a user is comparing sessions
Builds trust + captures attention immediately.
For Toppers Signups
Increasing Topper Signups
To encourage more toppers to sign up as mentors, I added subtle but clear touchpoints across the such as like banners, coming soon nudge, and a bottom sheet prompt after app launch . These made the opportunity visible without feeling intrusive, leading to a noticeable rise in interest and signups.
In the third-fold scroll in the home page, a banner nudge to apply for being a mentor on the platform.
Why in the third scroll?
doesn’t confuse user every time on the top of home screen
On top of the Guidance page since there is enough context about the mentors on the page and doesn’t have conflict like the home page
A prompt after the app launch on the D5+ users which increases focus on the user part to apply or to refer by word-of-mouth
In the third-fold scroll in the home page, a banner nudge to apply for being a mentor on the platform.
Why in the third scroll?
doesn’t confuse user every time on the top of home screen
On top of the Guidance page since there is enough context about the mentors on the page and doesn’t have conflict like the home page
A prompt after the app launch on the D5+ users which increases focus on the user part to apply or to refer by word-of-mouth
Post-Call
Handling Feedback after Call
Rating & Review of the call marking the end of the loop which started from the booking till here.
Showing the user their rating of the meeting for recall.
Toast bar suggesting the review is submitted
Review Submitted State
Review Not Submitted State
Rating & Review of the call marking the end of the loop which started from the booking till here.
Showing the user their rating of the meeting for recall.
Toast bar suggesting the review is submitted
Review Submitted State
Review Not Submitted State
More States
Home & Guidance Page States
Feedback state for Home & Guidance pages as and when depending on user visits which pages.
Pre-Call state stating the details of the upcoming calls with a CTA to view Booking Details across Home & Guidance pages.
Feedback state for Home & Guidance pages as and when depending on user visits which pages.
Pre-Call state stating the details of the upcoming calls with a CTA to view Booking Details across Home & Guidance pages.
Bookings States
Dark Mode
Projected Impact
While Mindgrades’ mentorship feature is still in its development phase, early onboarding and internal testing already showed a noticeable improvement in user clarity and control.
Conclusion — Wrapping it up
Mindgrades’ mentorship feature isn't just about booking a call. It’s about helping aspirants feel informed, supported, and in control throughout the journey. From trust-building badges to helpful add-ons like transcripts, every detail is designed to make decisions easier and the experience smoother.
Even in its early phase, the impact is already visible. Users are navigating with more clarity, mentors are seeing better engagement, and the entire flow feels more purposeful. With each step forward, the feature is shaping into something that’s not just functional, but truly thoughtful.
Convinced Enough?
Let’s talk Business
Design that’s thoughtful, bold, and built to last.
Let’s get to work.
Convinced Enough?
Let’s talk Business
Design that’s thoughtful, bold, and built to last.
Let’s get to work.
Let’s Collaborate and build the next big thing
Copyright © 2025 Yash Fataniya. All rights reserved.
Let’s Collaborate and build the next big thing
Copyright © 2025 Yash Fataniya. All rights reserved.
Convinced Enough?
Let’s talk Business
Design that’s thoughtful, bold, and built to last.
Let’s get to work.
Convinced Enough?
Let’s talk Business
Design that’s thoughtful, bold, and built to last.
Let’s get to work.
Convinced Enough?
Let’s talk Business
Design that’s thoughtful, bold, and built to last.
Let’s get to work.
Let’s Collaborate and build the next big thing
Copyright © 2025 Yash Fataniya. All rights reserved.
Let’s Collaborate and build the next big thing
Copyright © 2025 Yash Fataniya. All rights reserved.
Let’s Collaborate and build the next big thing
Copyright © 2025 Yash Fataniya. All rights reserved.