Project
UI Design, UX Research
Date
2024
Role
Lead UI/UX Designer, Researcher
Tools
Lead Designer
Project Overview
BridgeFolk is a resource-tracking app designed to assist community workers in connecting their clients to vital local services. The project was driven by the need to address the inefficiencies in existing systems, which were often outdated, time-consuming, and frustrating for both service providers and their clients.
Design mockups
Outdated & Time-Consuming Resource Discovery 💡
Situation
Community health workers face daily challenges when trying to connect individuals with resources such as housing, healthcare, or food assistance. Existing tools and methods were cumbersome, requiring workers like Samantha, a community health worker, to manually sift through databases or paper directories, often resulting in outdated information.
I recognized a deep need for a streamlined solution—an app that could bridge the gap between community workers and resources, making it faster and simpler to find and share vital information.
Empathy Through Research 🫶
To start, I conducted qualitative research by interviewing both community workers and clients. These interviews were critical to uncovering their struggles and needs. I reached out to over 20 participants, including health workers like Samantha, who provided valuable insights into the limitations of their current systems.
I used the following research methods:
Interviews: Conducted one-on-one interviews with community health workers to understand their daily workflows and challenges.
Surveys: Collected responses from clients seeking resources to understand their experiences.
Usability Testing: Tested initial wireframes and prototypes with community workers to identify friction points.
Wireframing Process:
Paper Wireframes: I sketched multiple versions of key screens (resource tabs, locator maps, and detailed resource pages). This allowed me to quickly iterate and test ideas with a small group of participants.
Digital Wireframes: After receiving positive feedback, I created digital wireframes in Figma and conducted A/B testing to further refine the design.
One of the major decisions I made during this phase was to simplify the user interface by removing non-essential features like resource ratings, which users found irrelevant in earlier feedback sessions.
Prototyping and Usability Testing
With the wireframes refined, I developed a low-fidelity prototype to test with real users. I wanted to validate whether the app’s navigation was intuitive and whether the key features were easily accessible.
First Usability Study
Study Type: Moderated usability study
Participants: 20 users, including community health workers
Method: Participants were tasked with finding specific resources and navigating the app under real-world conditions, such as during client appointments.
Duration: 25-minute sessions, in-person at various community locations.
Feedback and Iteration
Results
The usability study provided valuable insights, some of which reinforced design decisions, while others highlighted areas for improvement.
Final Results and Impact
Result
BridgeFolk was well-received by community workers and clients during the final testing phases. The app improved the speed and ease with which workers could find and share information, helping them better serve their communities.
Potential Key Results:
Time Saved: The app would help workers reduce the time spent searching for resources by over 50%.
Increased Access: Clients would be able to schedule appointments directly through the app, cutting out unnecessary steps.
Improved Usability: Users rated the app highly for its simplicity and intuitive interface.
Positive Feedback:
Easy Navigation: Users found the app simple and intuitive to navigate.
Resource Accessibility: The ability to quickly find resources was appreciated by community workers.
Final Prototype
Takeaways
Designing for Efficiency:
I challenged myself to create an intuitive design system from scratch, achieving a 70% efficiency rate. This experience deepened my understanding of how simplicity in design can drive productivity and user satisfaction.
Research-Driven Design:
This project reinforced the importance of research. I had the opportunity to speak with members of my local community to address a creative design issue. By empathizing with users throughout the process, I was able to make informed design decisions that have the potential to solve a real-world problem.
Meaningful Impact:
Working on BridgeFolk allowed me to apply my UX skills to address practical challenges, demonstrating how thoughtful design can create lasting, meaningful solutions. This experience has strengthened my passion for using design to make a difference in future projects.
