Matchmaking platform for NGOs and volunteers

Developing a mobile app that connects NGOs and volunteers, centralizes opportunities and fosters meaningful engagement through a seamless experience.

Role

UX/UI Designer

Industry

Social Tech

Duration

4 months

Stage 1. User Research

Conducted interviews with NGOs and volunteers to understand their needs, challenges, and expectations.
Identified key pain points, such as lack of centralized volunteer opportunities, difficulty in matching skills with relevant causes, and accessibility issues.
Analyzed insights to define core user needs and shape the foundation for the platform’s matchmaking system.

Stage 2. Ideation & Conceptualization

Defined the platform’s core structure by mapping out key functionalities and ensuring seamless user interactions.
Mapped out user journey scenarios to visualize how volunteers and NGOs would navigate the platform, optimizing engagement and accessibility.
Explored ways to make the platform more engaging, considering features like personalized recommendations and interactive elements to motivate users.

Stage 3. Design Execution

Wireframing: Created structured wireframes to ensure intuitive navigation and a seamless user experience, making it easier for volunteers and NGOs to connect.
Prototyping: Developed interactive prototypes in Figma to test functionalities and user flows, enabling early validation and iterative improvements based on feedback.
UI & Design System: Designed a visually engaging and accessible interface while building a custom design system to ensure consistency, scalability and a cohesive user experience.

Stage 1. User Research

Conducted interviews with NGOs and volunteers to understand their needs, challenges, and expectations.
Identified key pain points, such as lack of centralized volunteer opportunities, difficulty in matching skills with relevant causes, and accessibility issues.
Analyzed insights to define core user needs and shape the foundation for the platform’s matchmaking system.

Stage 2. Ideation & Conceptualization

Defined the platform’s core structure by mapping out key functionalities and ensuring seamless user interactions.
Mapped out user journey scenarios to visualize how volunteers and NGOs would navigate the platform, optimizing engagement and accessibility.
Explored ways to make the platform more engaging, considering features like personalized recommendations and interactive elements to motivate users.

Stage 3. Design Execution

Wireframing: Created structured wireframes to ensure intuitive navigation and a seamless user experience, making it easier for volunteers and NGOs to connect.
Prototyping: Developed interactive prototypes in Figma to test functionalities and user flows, enabling early validation and iterative improvements based on feedback.
UI & Design System: Designed a visually engaging and accessible interface while building a custom design system to ensure consistency, scalability and a cohesive user experience.

Stage 4. User Testing & Iterations

Organized remote user testing sessions, using qualitative and quantitative methods to assess usability and platform effectiveness.
Analyzed user feedback, identifying key patterns and areas for improvement in navigation, accessibility and engagement.
Refined the design through multiple iterations, enhancing user flows, UI elements and overall experience to better connect volunteers with NGOs.

Stage 5. Final Presentation & Documentation

Prepared an in-depth presentation and case study, detailing research findings, design rationale, user testing insights and the iterative design process.
Developed comprehensive documentation, outlining the platform’s structure, features and design system to ensure consistency and scalability.
Presented the final solution, demonstrating how the platform enhances volunteer engagement, simplifies NGO collaborations and effectively addresses user needs.

Reflections

This project reinforced the importance of user research and iterative design in building a platform that truly meets user needs. It strengthened my skills in problem-solving, system thinking, and accessibility while aligning with my values of using technology for positive change. Developing a structured and scalable design system ensured a seamless and intuitive experience, making social engagement more accessible and impactful.

Reflections

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