KIZUNA
•
Design and Site Implementation
Kizuna uses criminology research and labor economics to help companies make smarter, fairer hiring decisions through background check risk assessment. When I joined for a two week contract sprint engagement, they needed a cohesive visual identity and a product experience that could communicate complex risk data clearly to hiring managers
The challenge was twofold: establish a design language that felt trustworthy and science-backed, while making dense risk assessment data scannable and actionable. I created a full design system including color palettes, typography, and component standards, then applied it across their marketing site and core product dashboard.
The dashboard redesign focused on surfacing the most critical information first – reoffense risk, job-specific rule triggers, and baseline comparisons – in a format that hiring managers could quickly parse and act on. The new marketing site clearly articulated Kizuna's value proposition and positioned their scientific approach as a competitive advantage.
The new marketing site positions Kizuna's scientific methodology as a strength, using clear messaging and strategic visual hierarchy to communicate how their approach reduces hiring risk while maintaining fairness and compliance.
The original dashboard buried critical risk information beneath generic status messages. The redesign prioritizes key metrics at a glance – reoffense risk percentage, job rules triggered, and pattern of behavior – giving hiring managers the context they need to make informed decisions quickly.
Risk assessment now includes baseline comparison, showing how a candidate's reoffense risk compares to someone with no criminal history. This contextual approach helps hiring teams evaluate candidates more fairly by understanding relative rather than absolute risk.
A lean design system including neutral and accent color palettes, typography scales, and sector-specific tints. The system balances professional credibility with approachability, using strategic highlights to draw attention to key decisions without overwhelming users.
