Note

This is a client project from Xccelerate’s UX Design Bootcamp, completed with the June 2022 Cohort.
Duration - 2 weeks.
The Client Dream Impact, may be referred to as "D.I" in this case study.

Overview

Dream Impact is Hong Kong's largest network of social enterprises and impact ventures.
They would like to develop a search and matching system for their Partners, as the existing procedure is manual and time consuming.
This was an ongoing project that our cohort took over from previous students, who had completed the research phase.

DREAM IMPACT website HOMEPAGE - OCT 2022

Challenge Statement

Dream Impact has a complex resources list as partners come from different sectors, and focus on different social impact topics. Thus they have different resources and needs.

Goal

Develop the Resources Matching (search and match) function for Dream Impact members (Partners) based on the existing Airtable & COMPACT system.

My Role & Responsibilities

Research wall creation, planning, and organisation.
Secondary research - Competitors section.
Research synthesis and analysis - Review previous cohort’s primary research.
Userflows - Airtable’s landing page and Partner profile sections.
Ideation & Design - Partners search and match system page.
Usability Test facilitation.
Create the presentation template, write, proof-read, edit.
Plan, write, and present my section of the wrap-up presentation.

synthesis of the previous STUDENT's research

Research & Findings

Our cohort split into two groups: one to study the previous student’s research and continue synthesising (re-make Personas), and another to analyse Dream Impact’s existing platforms (Airtable & COMPACT), and research their competitors.
I analysed the internal Partner database, on Airtable. The landing page was overloaded with content and the search filter and copy was not user friendly.
I also researched Time Auction; a volunteering search and post website. The minimal and intuitive design provided inspiration on information hierarchy and more.
Once both teams completed their research synthesis, we reviewed each other’s work, and found that our assumptions and findings aligned. Admins and Partners find the current procedure to be time consuming, and would prefer Partner’s to find and “match” each other, themselves.

click for PARTNER'S PERSONA

click for ADMIN'S PERSONA

insights & problem statement

Design Solutions

We believe a simple profile registration page, search page, and chatbox system that is seen in e-commerce and networking websites, would allow Partners to search and match themselves.
Through our Sitemap, we simplified the sign-up process by moving some profile set-up questions to the Profile settings. The search filter options were reduced and only the most important filter options were kept.

click for user flow

click for SITEMAP

partner search mvp's, that i worked on

MVP's & Usability Tests

MVP1

I chose the Partners search page. Our team brainstormed, wireframed, and divided the features of the page.
I designed the search result cards - focussing on the essential information. I also designed the “Sort by” feature.

MVP1 design process - wireframe & iterate

MVP1 Usability test insights

MVP2

Before iterating, we aligned on the design system and MVP1 feedback.
I made the result cards taller to increase eligibility and added a pressed state for more user interaction. I also created the search results breadcrumb, based on D.I’s visual identity guideline.

mvp2 result cards & breadcrumb designs

MVP2 Usability test insights

Prototype

Partners PAGE PROTOTYPE (that i worked on)

FULL prototype (made by class cohort)

Reflections & Recommendations

Our key insights and recommendations will directly impact D.I’s rebuild of COMPACT, as our research and usability tests proved that Partners are in need of a search and match system. However there are specific barriers that stop them from using COMPACT.
Therefore the true impact of our work will be revealed when the search and match system is launched. (Check Recommendations below)
As this was the bootcamp’s first Client Project, I learnt how to work effectively in a group of 12 people. Our teamwork was optimal in the research phase, but needs more alignment in the design phase.
Personally, I hope to take on more UI design responsibilities in the future , as I contributed more in the research phase and led the wrap-up presentation this time.