Design
Mid-Fidelity Wireframe
Guided by the user flows, I translated the concepts into a paper prototype, delving into specific features. This hands-on approach allowed me to explore and refine the functionality of the app, bringing the envisioned features to life in a tangible form for further evaluation and user testing.
Design
Mid-Fidelity Wireframe
Guided by the user flows, I translated the concepts into a paper prototype, delving into specific features. This hands-on approach allowed me to explore and refine the functionality of the app, bringing the envisioned features to life in a tangible form for further evaluation and user testing.
Research
Affinity Map
Following user interviews, I employed affinity mapping to synthesize qualitative data visually. These groups were then labelled to highlight the main emerging themes, facilitating the extraction of key insights from the user interviews.
User #1
Wants to donate old clothes but not sure where to donate
Donation
Local
Time
Information
User #3
Too much information makes it overwhelming
User #2
Has no idea what’s happening around the local area
User #1
Doesn't have time to research
User #2
Not financially stable
User #4
Wants to get involved but there’s a lot of organizations to consider
User #3
Always wants to know what’s going on in her local area
User #3
Research is taking too much of the time than it is normally supposed to take
User #5
Wants to donate/volunteer in his desired field
User #5
Doesn't know where to start
User #4
Believes that knowing what’s happening in the local community makes it easier to pin point the area that is in need
User #2
Hard to schedule and appointment to volunteer since the time slots are limited
Donation
Key Insight #1
Most of the users had items they didn't use and wanted to donate but didn't know where to direct their needs.
Information
Key Insight #2
The vast amount of information regarding the local community was overwhelming for all users which inhibited the users from getting involved.
Local
Key Insight #3
Most of the users have shown interest in getting involved in the local community.
Time
Key Insight #4
A lot of users found it hard to balance their work life and personal life in order to participate in any volunteering events.
Research
Affinity Map
Following user interviews, I employed affinity mapping to synthesize qualitative data visually. These groups were then labelled to highlight the main emerging themes, facilitating the extraction of key insights from the user interviews.
User #1
Wants to donate old clothes but not sure where to donate
Donation
Local
Time
Information
User #3
Too much information makes it overwhelming
User #2
Has no idea what’s happening around the local area
User #1
Doesn't have time to research
User #2
Not financially stable
User #4
Wants to get involved but there’s a lot of organizations to consider
User #3
Always wants to know what’s going on in her local area
User #3
Research is taking too much of the time than it is normally supposed to take
User #5
Wants to donate/volunteer in his desired field
User #5
Doesn't know where to start
User #4
Believes that knowing what’s happening in the local community makes it easier to pin point the area that is in need
User #2
Hard to schedule and appointment to volunteer since the time slots are limited
Donation
Key Insight #1
Most of the users had items they didn't use and wanted to donate but didn't know where to direct their needs.
Information
Key Insight #2
The vast amount of information regarding the local community was overwhelming for all users which inhibited the users from getting involved.
Local
Key Insight #3
Most of the users have shown interest in getting involved in the local community.
Time
Key Insight #4
A lot of users found it hard to balance their work life and personal life in order to participate in any volunteering events.
Mobile App Design
Community
Team
Isaac Song (Product Designer)
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Canva
Figma
Miro
Balsamiq
Mobile App Design
Community
Team
Isaac Song (Product Designer)
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Canva
Figma
Miro
Balsamiq
Introduction
About
“Community” is designed to bridge the gap between people willing to help their local community and the challenges they face. By providing localized news, reducing click points, and incorporating user-friendly features, the app aims to simplify the process of community involvement, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Introduction
About
“Community” is designed to bridge the gap between people willing to help their local community and the challenges they face. By providing localized news, reducing click points, and incorporating user-friendly features, the app aims to simplify the process of community involvement, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Summary
Product Designer
As a product designer I worked on this as a solo 2 week sprint. I was able to discover the lack of engagment problem within the local community and decidede to create a solution for the issue. I was able to follow the 5 steps of the user expereience journey. (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Iterate, Test)
I specifically focused on project planning, outlining scope, design direction, and conducting comprehensive research.
Summary
Product Designer
As a product designer I worked on this as a solo 2 week sprint. I was able to discover the lack of engagment problem within the local community and decidede to create a solution for the issue. I was able to follow the 5 steps of the user expereience journey. (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Iterate, Test)
I specifically focused on project planning, outlining scope, design direction, and conducting comprehensive research.
Lesson
Reflect
The project was a pivotal experience in my journey as a UX designer. Through research, prototyping, and user testing, I gained valuable insights into the needs of socially conscious individuals. This project refined my skills in user-centred design and taught me the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in product development. It strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful solutions that foster community engagement and social impact.
Lesson
Reflect
The project was a pivotal experience in my journey as a UX designer. Through research, prototyping, and user testing, I gained valuable insights into the needs of socially conscious individuals. This project refined my skills in user-centred design and taught me the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in product development. It strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful solutions that foster community engagement and social impact.
Summary
Conclusion
“Community” is designed to bridge the gap between people willing to help their community and the challenges they face. By providing localized news, reducing click points, and incorporating user-friendly features, the app aims to simplify the process of community involvement, making it more accessible to a wider audience. The iterative design process, guided by user feedback, ensures that the app aligns with users’ needs, ultimately fostering a stronger connection between communities and their residents.
Summary
Conclusion
“Community” is designed to bridge the gap between people willing to help their community and the challenges they face. By providing localized news, reducing click points, and incorporating user-friendly features, the app aims to simplify the process of community involvement, making it more accessible to a wider audience. The iterative design process, guided by user feedback, ensures that the app aligns with users’ needs, ultimately fostering a stronger connection between communities and their residents.
Conclusion
Next Steps
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
Community is a concept app which addresses the issue that causes low engagement within the local communuity. The next step of this project would be divided into three different phases.
Immediate Needs
Phase #1
Enhanced map features
incorporate gamification feature
Iterate & Enhance
Phase #2
Another round of usability test
Enhanced navigation flow
Future Consideration
Phase #3
Developing partnerships
Collaboration with other non profit organizations
Conclusion
Next Steps
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
Community is a concept app which addresses the issue that causes low engagement within the local communuity. The next step of this project would be divided into three different phases.
Immediate Needs
Phase #1
Enhanced map features
incorporate gamification feature
Iterate & Enhance
Phase #2
Another round of usability test
Enhanced navigation flow
Future Consideration
Phase #3
Developing partnerships
Collaboration with other non profit organizations
Design
Usability Testing
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
Usability testing is employed to identify potential usability issues in a product. By tracking quantified metrics such as Time on Task, Success Rate, and Easiness Rating from 1–5, insights and trends are extracted to guide designers in recommending changes or enhancements for improved usability. Testing involved 4 tasks in our initial mid-fidelity prototype with 5 users, with results informing iterative improvements before finalizing the product.
Login
Donate
Volunteer
Local News
User 1
User 2
User 3
User 4
User 5
Easiness Rating
4/5
4/5
3/5
5/5
Average Success Rate
100%
100%
100%
100%
Direct Path
Indirect Path
Fail
Navigation
Key Insight #1
100% of users were able to go through the onboarding and login process and have access to their profile.
Donation
Key Insight #2
100% of users were able to schedule a donation pick up, however, 20% of the users couldn't find where to bookmark the page.
Volunteer
Key Insight #3
100% of users were able to volunteer for canin care, although 40% couldn't find a review page for the event.
Local News
Key Insight #4
100% of the users were able to have access to their local news through the app.
Design
Usability Testing
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
Usability testing is employed to identify potential usability issues in a product. By tracking quantified metrics such as Time on Task, Success Rate, and Easiness Rating from 1–5, insights and trends are extracted to guide designers in recommending changes or enhancements for improved usability. Testing involved 4 tasks in our initial mid-fidelity prototype with 5 users, with results informing iterative improvements before finalizing the product.
Login
Donate
Volunteer
Local News
User 1
User 2
User 3
User 4
User 5
Easiness Rating
4/5
4/5
3/5
5/5
Average Success Rate
100%
100%
100%
100%
Direct Path
Indirect Path
Fail
Navigation
Key Insight #1
100% of users were able to go through the onboarding and login process and have access to their profile.
Donation
Key Insight #2
100% of users were able to schedule a donation pick up, however, 20% of the users couldn't find where to bookmark the page.
Volunteer
Key Insight #3
100% of users were able to volunteer for canin care, although 40% couldn't find a review page for the event.
Local News
Key Insight #4
100% of the users were able to have access to their local news through the app.
Design
User Flow
Several user flows were created to address key tasks, such as logging in and accessing local news, making a donation, and scheduling volunteering events. In the future, these were translated into simple sketches and paper prototypes for initial testing.
Design
User Flow
Several user flows were created to address key tasks, such as logging in and accessing local news, making a donation, and scheduling volunteering events. In the future, these were translated into simple sketches and paper prototypes for initial testing.
Design
Sketching
Guided by the user flows, I translated the concepts into a paper prototype, delving into specific features. This hands-on approach allowed me to explore and refine the functionality of the app, bringing the envisioned features to life in a tangible form for further evaluation and user testing.
Design
Sketching
Guided by the user flows, I translated the concepts into a paper prototype, delving into specific features. This hands-on approach allowed me to explore and refine the functionality of the app, bringing the envisioned features to life in a tangible form for further evaluation and user testing.
Research
Problem Statement
The identified issues merged into a concise problem statement:
“People who want to help the community need a simpler way to get involved, as it is time-consuming for them to search for information online and look for organizations that fit their desires.”
Research
Problem Statement
The identified issues merged into a concise problem statement:
“People who want to help the community need a simpler way to get involved, as it is time-consuming for them to search for information online and look for organizations that fit their desires.”
Research
Persona
The gathered data from interviews underwent affinity mapping to identify recurring themes. From this, a persona named David Goodwin was created. David, a resident of downtown Toronto, faces challenges such as a tight budget, lack of information, and difficulty connecting with the local community.
Demographic
Name:
Age:
Job:
Location:
Hobbies:
David Goodwin
45
Baker
Toronto, Ontario
Hiking, Reading
Bio
David is a middle aged male
in Toronto with 2 children.
He owns a bakery and finds it
hard to balance work and
volunteering
Frustration
Tight budget
Lack of information
Disconnection from the
local community
Goals
David needs a better way to
help the local community and
meet his personal goals at the
same time
Personality
Hardworking
Active
Thoughtful
Expressive
Research
Persona
The gathered data from interviews underwent affinity mapping to identify recurring themes. From this, a persona named David Goodwin was created. David, a resident of downtown Toronto, faces challenges such as a tight budget, lack of information, and difficulty connecting with the local community.
Demographic
Name:
Age:
Job:
Location:
Hobbies:
David Goodwin
45
Baker
Toronto, Ontario
Hiking, Reading
Bio
David is a middle aged male
in Toronto with 2 children.
He owns a bakery and finds it
hard to balance work and
volunteering
Frustration
Tight budget
Lack of information
Disconnection from the
local community
Goals
David needs a better way to
help the local community and
meet his personal goals at the
same time
Personality
Hardworking
Active
Thoughtful
Expressive
Research
User Interview
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
After understanding of the current charitable landscape in Canada, noting the decrease in donation rates between 2010 and 2022.
Five user interviews were conducted, targeting a diverse group of participants aged 25 to 35. Questions focused on online donation habits, participation in local volunteering events, and awareness of the local community.
“I don’t have any idea how I can help since I’m not aware of my local community”
User Quote #1
“So many things to consider and research it’s overwhelming”
User Quote #2
“Since I’m not financially stable, I want to donate my personal items that I don’t use”
User Quote #3
Research
User Interview
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
After understanding of the current charitable landscape in Canada, noting the decrease in donation rates between 2010 and 2022.
Five user interviews were conducted, targeting a diverse group of participants aged 25 to 35. Questions focused on online donation habits, participation in local volunteering events, and awareness of the local community.
“I don’t have any idea how I can help since I’m not aware of my local community”
User Quote #1
“So many things to consider and research it’s overwhelming”
User Quote #2
“Since I’m not financially stable, I want to donate my personal items that I don’t use”
User Quote #3
Introduction
Goal
The goal was to create a solution that simplifies community involvement, making it easier for individuals to connect with local initiatives.
The resulting app, named “Community” focuses on providing local news, reducing the number of click points, and incorporating user-friendly features.
Overview
Process
01 Empathize
Conducted research & user interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
04 Iterate
Conducted usability test and with the feedback created a high fidelity prototype addressing the issues collected.
03 Ideate
With problem statement in mind created a user flow, sketches and a balsamiq wireframe.
02 Define
With the information collected crafted an affinity map and a persona. Developed a problem statement by utilizing both.
Introduction
Goal
The goal was to create a solution that simplifies community involvement, making it easier for individuals to connect with local initiatives.
The resulting app, named “Community” focuses on providing local news, reducing the number of click points, and incorporating user-friendly features.
Overview
Process
01 Empathize
Conducted research & user interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the problem.
04 Iterate
Conducted usability test and with the feedback created a high fidelity prototype addressing the issues collected.
03 Ideate
With problem statement in mind created a user flow, sketches and a balsamiq wireframe.
02 Define
With the information collected crafted an affinity map and a persona. Developed a problem statement by utilizing both.
Research
Initial Research
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
In response to the declining donation rates and a disconnect between people wanting to help and their lack of information and financial constraints, I conducted research and user interviews to address the problem.
My first thought was "How I would engage with the local community?" and if not what would be the reason for it. After making an assumption myself, I conducted my first research where I realized that the rate of people in need is increasing while the rate of people participating is decreasing every year.
This information leads me to ask the question, “How might we enhance the engagement in the local community?”
"The average pre-holiday charitable donation this year is $182, down about 20 per cent from the average contribution of $221 during the same period in 2021.” (Imaginecanada.ca)
Article #1
"A number that experts say is likely to grow due to increasing pressures of rising inflation, massive rent increases, stagnant wages, and a growing influx of refugees seeking asylum from climate disasters and conflict." (ricochet.media)
Article #2
Research
Initial Research
We conducted research and comparative analysis based on features that the main competitors had.
In response to the declining donation rates and a disconnect between people wanting to help and their lack of information and financial constraints, I conducted research and user interviews to address the problem.
My first thought was "How I would engage with the local community?" and if not what would be the reason for it. After making an assumption myself, I conducted my first research where I realized that the rate of people in need is increasing while the rate of people participating is decreasing every year.
This information leads me to ask the question, “How might we enhance the engagement in the local community?”
"The average pre-holiday charitable donation this year is $182, down about 20 per cent from the average contribution of $221 during the same period in 2021.” (Imaginecanada.ca)
Article #1
"A number that experts say is likely to grow due to increasing pressures of rising inflation, massive rent increases, stagnant wages, and a growing influx of refugees seeking asylum from climate disasters and conflict." (ricochet.media)
Article #2
Design
High-Fidelity Prototype
A high-fidelity prototype closely resembles the final user interface of a digital product, featuring realistic graphics, animations, and functional elements.
It enables stakeholders to interact with and evaluate the product’s functionalities, ensuring alignment with design goals before development.
Following usability testing, based on user feedback I made quick adjustments regarding bookmarking/reviews and finalized my high-fidelity prototype, as depicted in the following homepage screen.
Design
High-Fidelity Prototype
A high-fidelity prototype closely resembles the final user interface of a digital product, featuring realistic graphics, animations, and functional elements.
It enables stakeholders to interact with and evaluate the product’s functionalities, ensuring alignment with design goals before development.
Following usability testing, based on user feedback I made quick adjustments regarding bookmarking/reviews and finalized my high-fidelity prototype, as depicted in the following homepage screen.
Focus Point #1
Local News
During the research phase, most of the users shown interest to have access to their local news. With the app, users have easy access to their live local news.
Focus Point #2
Donation
In order to save time and ensure users desire, the donation page has multiple dontation options and displays only the essential information required.
Focus Point #3
Volunteer
Most of the users were overwhelmed to conduct a research to find out the itinerary, reviews, and the companys goal before volunteering. To address the issue I focused on putting all the information on one page so that users don’t have to go through external websites.