Successfully coordinating events and meetings demands a blend of patience and exceptional communication skills. Enter Overlap – a potential game-changer in the realm of organizing and communicating meeting times and events. This innovative solution is the result of the efforts led by Noah Hubbard, a senior Finance major from Clemson University’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, in collaboration with his dedicated team from the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences.
The idea of Overlap stems from Hubbard’s experiences during his first year at Clemson University. When Hubbard started his Clemson Journey in August 2020, campus life looked significantly different than in previous years. The pandemic changed how schools worldwide operated daily. Restrictions were mandatory, limiting social interaction and preventing students from meeting others even while living on campus.Overlap facilitates scheduling group meetings in an organized, user-friendly interface
Hubbard fondly recalls his first year as a Clemson student but distinctly remembers how limited his social life was for the first couple of months. Even after pandemic restrictions were lifted, Hubbard observed how many of his classmates still chose to remain in their dorm rooms rather than socialize. He realized this was, in large part, due to the fact they did not have the opportunities to foster friendship during those first few weeks of school. Seeing a need for something to encourage people to connect, the idea for Overlap was born.
Hubbard’s vision for Overlap started with the premise of bringing people together, “While many software sites for students lead to increased screen time and isolation, Overlap is designed to bring people together, encouraging real-world meetings and connections.” The website application would take multiple user schedules into account to coordinate the most convenient meeting times. Overlap would minimize the time spent to organize meetings, allowing groups to spend the majority of time together working and engaging in conversation.
With an idea and leadership experience ready to be used, a solid team was the next challenge. Hubbard enlisted help from lifelong friend and User Experience Designer Joe Johnson, who oversaw the development of an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Then, David Bootle, a current sophomore in the Computer Engineering program, joined the team and brought the interface to life by seamlessly blending technical and creative skills. Karthik Nedunchezhiyan, who recently graduated from Clemson with a Master’s in Computer Science, ensured the site was secure and reliable while maintaining quality performance. After years of production and valuable feedback from Clemson organizations, Overlap officially rolled out to the public in January 2024.
