The Challenge: Volunteering is no longer an easy process. Signing up to volunteer can be as difficult as applying for a job - if you get an actual response from a volunteer coordinator at all.
My Role: Design an app that will provide quick access short term volunteer opportunities. Through this app the user can quickly identify locations and sign-up for open slots where available.
The goal: Design an app that will provide quick access short term volunteer opportunities. Through this app the user can quickly identify locations and sign-up for open slots where available.
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Research
I developed interview questions from primary and secondary research, and competitive audits to develop questions for user interviews. Most interview participants reported their enjoyment of volunteering, but being really frustrated with finding an organization that presented their case quickly, clearly, and provide a clear and easy sign-up process. The feedback through research identified that users wanted a way to locate previous volunteers feedback, review organization information, and sign-up for opportunities in an easy to use tool.
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Crazy Eights
Early sketches to generate concepts for the homepage of the volunteer app after a competitive audit of several websites and mobile apps.
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Best Features
Sketched out multiple layouts for the Homepage soon the app that combined location, activity filters, maps, and social engagement carousel with user comments.
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Initial Navigation
Sketch above identifies key screens to complete sign-up for a volunteer opportunity including, selecting an organization, finding a time. reserving the time slot, confirming the reservation, providing initial on-boarding information, and finally a feedback notification for users to complete a survey and close their original reservation before returning to the homepage.
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The competitive audit identified several gaps to to take advantage of for my app. Many websites for volunteer opportunities aggregate too much information - overwhelming users and making it hard to find the most information. Clear instructions on how to apply.
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Another key gap is the lack of imagery or social engagement for a lot of the organizations on other sites. The last major issue is too many site focus on Donations as the primary focus, but can make finding resources for volunteering time are hidden away deep in the sites navigation,
PERSONAS
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I conducted several interviews and empathy maps to understand the users I’m designing for and their needs. A primary user group identified through research were young adults that recently graduated.
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Another user group were older adults between the ages of 35-45 that were looking to spend spare time to giving back their time to their community to honor those who helped them when they were younger and in need of assistance early in their careers or a major life change.
WIRERAMES
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
RESEARCH
Early low fidelity prototypes identified key elements for the volunteer organization ‘homepage’ where a user can quickly see the information to help them make a final decision on how they want to spend their time.
PREPARE
Users get a quick summary of important details before arriving and contact information for any follow up questions. Users wanted a way to know what they needed to prepare just in case there isn’t time when they arrive or the volunteer coordinator is unable to assist in any helpful way.
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Research
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Reserve
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Prepare
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Research
Search Filters and geo tagged organizations help you quickly locate organizations in your neighborhood for quick reservations. Other users cab submit comments viewable on the Home Screen.
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Reserve
An organizations open dates for volunteering are presented in an easy to identify grid with an expandable calendar for a user to commit to a date easier.
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Prepare
After a date is selected a user gets a summary of important information and contact information for the coordinator of the organization to address user concerns about being ready to go on the day they signed up for.
HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
RESEARCH
Users homepage gives an overview of available opportunities in their designated neighborhood. Filters give the user more control over what they see to narrow down their choices based on activity type. Once the filters are selected. The homepage updates with the opportunities based on personal preference before navigating to an organizations ‘homepage’.
RESERVE
Reservations for volunteer spots are easy for the user to see , select, and confirm with large buttons identifying slots so the user does not have to reach out to a coordinator or waste time hoping for a response to available spaces.
Impact:
Tackl’D is a great app to find local community based volunteer opportunities was something they could use often. They really enjoyed the balance of images, text, and geolocation enjoyable enough to utilize when researching organizations for volunteer opportunities in the future.
“I wish I had this app to use four years ago so I didn’t have to show up full of anxiety about what I was going to experience”
What I learned:
I learned that taking the time to listen to the user and accurately document and interpret there pain points in to clear insights can produce clean, user friendly products that can support local communities and encourage participation with non-profits hoping to alleviate social injustice.
Next steps:
Conduct research on how successful the app is with organizations by reviewing KPI for volunteers enrolled and numbers of volunteer lots filled.
Add more information about non-profits and an ability for staff to upload opportunities through a desktop portal.
Explore long-term volunteer opportunities and expand the ability to support background checks and other important forms for age verification.