Selected work / 2026

A human-centered path from need to use

Nicholas Bennett / engineering and support experience, moving into Customer Success

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01 / how I work

Empathetic listening and focus on user experience.

A consistent process, adapted to the problem.

I start with user interviews, then define the problem, design a solution, iterate based on feedback, and deliver a usable product. I focus on understanding the people who will use the product and the context in which they will use it.

02 / case study

Kellogg Board Fellows Optimizer

The need: Administrators needed a faster, more repeatable way to match MBA students to internships through ranked preferences.
My role: I interviewed the administrators to understand their pain points and workflows, and iteratively designed a solution to address their needs.
Key choice: I used a mathematical optimization algorithm to ensure fairness.
Iteration to describe: Built on top of Qualtrics used to survey student preferences, minimizing change for administrators and students.
Delivery: I built a web app in 2011, making it truly cross-platform compatible and it continued to be used for years after.

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03 / case study

RekordBox Bass Notes

The need: DJs need a quick way to identify tracks likely to SHAKE the dancers at different intensity levels—inside RekordBox, the software they use to prepare and perform.
My role: I investigated whether RekordBox’s proprietary database could be modified directly, then built a bass-analysis tool around that workflow.
Key choice: I wrote concise, DJ-readable results into RekordBox while preserving the existing metadata a DJ already depends on.
Iteration: I developed a safe backup and restoration workflow, then refined how analysis results appear so they work as a fast heads-up view rather than a separate report.
Delivery: The delivered tool profiles bass characteristics and writes usable results directly into RekordBox.

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04 / case study

Medium Talk

The need: People meeting through a public picnic needed a welcoming, low-pressure way to begin a more meaningful conversation.
My role: I organized the picnic and created Medium Talk as a digital conversation companion for the event, then made it available through the Meetup listing.
Key choice: I designed the experience around generous prompts rather than social feeds or profiles, so it could support in-person connection without competing for attention.
Iteration: I extended the proof of concept into a reusable prompt system with city-specific themes and color schemes, designed for 12 U.S. cities and 43 cities overall.
Delivery: Medium Talk is a live, mobile-first conversation app that demonstrates how lightweight software can create an inviting entry point for community gathering.

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05 / case study

ogblacman.com

The need: The artist needed a distinctive, mobile-first web presence that could translate a loose brief and an inspiration site into a polished experience within two weeks.
My role: I consulted with the artist, his manager, and a supporting team member to shape requirements, make recommendations, and build the web app.
Key choice: I prioritized a mobile-first composition and a custom embedded player, while mapping a practical path for future merch and event-listing integrations.
Iteration: The work progressed through at least 15 rounds of revision, using the live build to turn creative direction into focused, reviewable decisions.
Delivery: I delivered a live, optimized artist website with dedicated desktop and mobile experiences, plus platform recommendations for merch, Posh event listings, and future releases.

Live artist website hero

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06 / working together

How I work across teams.

Clarify the brief: I translate loose goals, inspiration, and constraints into a focused scope with decisions people can review.
Work in the real workflow: I account for the tools, data, safety requirements, and handoffs people already rely on.
Make iteration visible: I use working prototypes and targeted revisions to turn broad feedback into decisions that move delivery forward.
Deliver with a next step: I separate what is ready now from what needs client input, platform setup, or a subsequent phase.