Bridging information and action to drive social impact

How can we effectively empower individuals to create a tangible positive impact in the world? Sprout promotes social impact by connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with an accessible pathway to making a meaningful difference.

Bridging information and action to drive social impact

How can we effectively empower individuals to create a tangible positive impact in the world? Sprout promotes social impact by connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with an accessible pathway to making a meaningful difference.

Bridging information and action to drive social impact

How can we effectively empower individuals to create a tangible positive impact in the world? Sprout promotes social impact by connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with an accessible pathway to making a meaningful difference.

For context…

In today’s complex social landscape, staying informed about global issues and taking meaningful action can be overwhelming for many individuals. Notably, research shows that only 56% of Americans donated to charity last year, with younger generations like Gen Z exhibiting lower engagement rates. This highlights a significant gap in effective engagement strategies for social impact. As individuals grapple with the complexities of these issues, there is a pressing need for accessible platforms that bridge awareness and action.

In today’s complex social landscape, staying informed about global issues and taking meaningful action can be overwhelming for many individuals. Notably, research shows that only 56% of Americans donated to charity last year, with younger generations like Gen Z exhibiting lower engagement rates. This highlights a significant gap in effective engagement strategies for social impact. As individuals grapple with the complexities of these issues, there is a pressing need for accessible platforms that bridge awareness and action.

In today’s complex social landscape, staying informed about global issues and taking meaningful action can be overwhelming for many individuals. Notably, research shows that only 56% of Americans donated to charity last year, with younger generations like Gen Z exhibiting lower engagement rates. This highlights a significant gap in effective engagement strategies for social impact. As individuals grapple with the complexities of these issues, there is a pressing need for accessible platforms that bridge awareness and action.

How might we create a platform that effectively connects individuals with social impact opportunities while simplifying the process of taking action?

How might we create a platform that effectively connects individuals with social impact opportunities while simplifying the process of taking action?

How might we create a platform that effectively connects individuals with social impact opportunities while simplifying the process of taking action?

Solutions overview…

My goal was to empower individuals who feel overwhelmed by social issues, making it easier for them to engage meaningfully. By targeting a broader audience, especially younger generations, I aimed to foster early engagement in social impact.

With Sprout, users can discover causes, access relevant news articles, and donate directly, fostering a more informed and connected community.

My goal was to empower individuals who feel overwhelmed by social issues, making it easier for them to engage meaningfully. By targeting a broader audience, especially younger generations, I aimed to foster early engagement in social impact.

With Sprout, users can discover causes, access relevant news articles, and donate directly, fostering a more informed and connected community.

My goal was to empower individuals who feel overwhelmed by social issues, making it easier for them to engage meaningfully. By targeting a broader audience, especially younger generations, I aimed to foster early engagement in social impact.

With Sprout, users can discover causes, access relevant news articles, and donate directly, fostering a more informed and connected community.

To better understand the problem…

In order to understand the challenges and needs of potential users, I began with research, including competitor analysis and user interviews.

In order to understand the challenges and needs of potential users, I began with research, including competitor analysis and user interviews.

In order to understand the challenges and needs of potential users, I began with research, including competitor analysis and user interviews.

What already exists out there?

GoFundMe

Strengths

Strengths

  • Social Engagement: features like sharing and recent activity foster community

  • Motivation: clear goals motivate users to contribute

  • Diversity: wide range of fundraisers

Weaknesses

Weaknesses

  • Personal Focus: may not resonate with users looking to support broader causes

  • Information Overload: overwhelming number of fundraisers

Direct Org. Platforms

Strengths

Strengths

  • Credibility: know exactly where their donations go

  • Urgency: messaging encourages immediate action

  • Informative: provides detailed information about the cause

Weaknesses

Weaknesses

  • Existing Awareness: requires prior awareness of the organization

  • Limited Choice: often supports singular (type of) causes

Social Media

Strengths

Strengths

  • Accessibility: information is presented in digestible formats

  • Reach: allows for a broad reach to diverse audiences

  • Shareability: can increase visibility and engagement

Weaknesses

Weaknesses

  • Credibility Concerns: credibility of information can be unclear

  • Limited Action: often lacks clear CTAs directly in-app

What are the opportunities?

Enhance user experience by addressing credibility and transparency issues. Develop features that cater to younger generations and make it easier to learn, bridging the gap in charitable engagement.

Enhance user experience by addressing credibility and transparency issues. Develop features that cater to younger generations and make it easier to learn, bridging the gap in charitable engagement.

Enhance user experience by addressing credibility and transparency issues. Develop features that cater to younger generations and make it easier to learn, bridging the gap in charitable engagement.

What attitudes do potential users have towards social impact and donating?

In order to better understand people's needs and barriers to social impact, I interviewed different people to see if there are opportunities. The insights from these interviews led to the formulation of my "How Might We" questions that guided my design process.

In order to better understand people's needs and barriers to social impact, I interviewed different people to see if there are opportunities. The insights from these interviews led to the formulation of my "How Might We" questions that guided my design process.

In order to better understand people's needs and barriers to social impact, I interviewed different people to see if there are opportunities. The insights from these interviews led to the formulation of my "How Might We" questions that guided my design process.

Affordability

Many feel that small donations won't make a tangible difference.

"Sometimes, I can only afford to give $5 or $10, but I feel like that wouldn't make a difference at all."

HMW ensure users feel fulfilled in their giving?

Credibility Concerns

Users want to donate to reputable organizations but struggle to identify which ones are impactful.

"I want to donate to a reputable organization that is actively doing good things, but I don't know which one is best or what action they're taking."

HMW streamline the process of learning, searching, and donating?

Impact Transparency

There is a strong desire to know how donations are used and their effects on communitieis.

"I want to know that my donation is actually helping people in need and not just funding office supplies for the company."

HMW build trust between users and organizations?

Who are the users?

I identified three potential users across different demographics – understanding what drives each of these groups, what their pain points are, and how they approach social impact helped me create a platform that is engaging, accessible, and effective for a range of users.

I identified three potential users across different demographics – understanding what drives each of these groups, what their pain points are, and how they approach social impact helped me create a platform that is engaging, accessible, and effective for a range of users.

I identified three potential users across different demographics – understanding what drives each of these groups, what their pain points are, and how they approach social impact helped me create a platform that is engaging, accessible, and effective for a range of users.

The Passionate Activist

Motivations

Motivations

Driven by a desire to make a difference and values transparency while wanting to be part of a larger movement.

Pain Points

Pain Points

Often younger with limited financial resources. Frustration when they cannot see the tangible impact of their efforts.

Goals

Goals

Aims to get involved productively and seeks an active role in social change.

The Charitable Donor

Motivations

Motivations

Generally older and more financially stable, wanting to use their resources to support important causes while valuing trust and credibility.

Pain Points

Pain Points

Seeks assurance that their contributions make a meaningful difference but has limited time for thorough research on organizations.

Goals

Goals

Desires clear results from donations and aims to give back to their community by supporting reputable causes.

The Open Learner

Motivations

Motivations

Curious about global issues and values accessible, transparent information.

Pain Points

Pain Points

Not actively seeking to donate, often feels overwhelmed by the amount of available information and options.

Goals

Goals

Looks for informative content that sparks interest and may be motivated to support causes after gaining knowledge.

What were the design goals?

Based on the research insights and user personas, I established four primary design goals for Sprout:

Based on the research insights and user personas, I established four primary design goals for Sprout:

Based on the research insights and user personas, I established four primary design goals for Sprout:

Accessibility

Ensure easy navigation and understanding of the platform.

Accessibility

Ensure easy navigation and understanding of the platform.

Accessibility

Ensure easy navigation and understanding of the platform.

Engagement

Encourage active participation in social causes through clear calls to action.

Engagement

Encourage active participation in social causes through clear calls to action.

Engagement

Encourage active participation in social causes through clear calls to action.

Trust

Provide transparent information about organizations and the impact of their donations.

Trust

Provide transparent information about organizations and the impact of their donations.

Trust

Provide transparent information about organizations and the impact of their donations.

Empowerment

Equip users with the knowledge to make informed decisions and contributions.

Empowerment

Equip users with the knowledge to make informed decisions and contributions.

Empowerment

Equip users with the knowledge to make informed decisions and contributions.

What did designing and iterating look like?

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

For example, the home page evolved through multiple iterations, as I collaborated and got feedback from my peers. There were updates to typography, color schemes, and layout, with the goal of a more engaging experience that encourages meaningful action.

For example, the home page evolved through multiple iterations, as I collaborated and got feedback from my peers. There were updates to typography, color schemes, and layout, with the goal of a more engaging experience that encourages meaningful action.

For example, the home page evolved through multiple iterations, as I collaborated and got feedback from my peers. There were updates to typography, color schemes, and layout, with the goal of a more engaging experience that encourages meaningful action.

Final Design Solution…

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

The design process began with a focus on ideation, where initial wireframes and sketches were important in outlining structure, information architecture, and various user flows.

Final Design Solution

Main Hub for Quick Information & Actions

  • Featured event/fundraiser that allows users to immediately donate or learn more

  • "My Charity Impacts" that shows the impact of the fundraisers that the user has donated to, fostering a sense of connection & accomplishment

  • Trending Articles and Causes that provide quick links to current events

  • "Local Fundraisers" that connect users to their local community and city

And, what did I learn on this journey?

Empowerment through Autonomy

Having the autonomy to make design decisions empowered me to take ownership of my work. Through this internship, I learned the importance of balancing independence with seeking guidance when needed. Moving forwards, I want to continue to embrace opportunities that allow for both creative freedom and constructive feedback to enhance my growth.

Importance of Effective Communication

I learned that effective communication is crucial for aligning expectations and ensuring project success. Regular check-ins and open dialogue with my team helped clarify objectives and foster collaboration that led to new ideas. I realized how important it is to prioritize transparent communication in order to build trust and also streamline the design process.

Thinking Outside the Box

Working with so many talented designers and creatives from different backgrounds inspired me to explore new things and challenge my design thinking. This experience reinforced the idea that design is a continuous learning journey for everyone, and that the best ideas come when we collaborate and learn from one another.

Further information about this project has been password protected. For more details, please enter password here to access or reach out to me on LinkedIn or via Email

Further information about this project has been password protected. For more details, please enter password here to access or reach out to me on LinkedIn or via Email

Further information about this project has been password protected. For more details, please enter password here to access or reach out to me on LinkedIn or via Email

© Designed by Gina Lee 2024

© Designed by Gina Lee 2024

Ideating and designing in the early stages…

Initial wireframes and designs were important to outline structure, information, and various user flows.

Initial wireframes and designs were important to outline structure, information, and various user flows.