Driving social impact by connecting news articles and non-profits
Role Product Designer
Timeline 8 Weeks
Driving social impact by connecting news articles and non-profits
Role Product Designer
Timeline 8 Weeks
Driving social impact by connecting news articles and non-profits
Role Product Designer
Timeline 8 Weeks
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
How can we effectively empower individuals to create tangible positive impact in the world?
How can we effectively empower individuals to create tangible positive impact in the world?
How can we effectively empower individuals to create tangible positive impact in the world?
Sprout is a news-based crowdfunding charity app that aims to address the challenge of turning awareness into action. In today's complex social, environmental, and political landscape, it can be overwhelming to keep up with global issues and actively support causes. Sprout promotes social impact through education-driven action: connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with a seamless pathway to make a tangible difference. By bridging the gap between awareness and charitable giving, Sprout makes it more accessible and convenient for users to contribute to the causes they care about.
Sprout is a news-based crowdfunding charity app that aims to address the challenge of turning awareness into action. In today's complex social, environmental, and political landscape, it can be overwhelming to keep up with global issues and actively support causes. Sprout promotes social impact through education-driven action: connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with a seamless pathway to make a tangible difference. By bridging the gap between awareness and charitable giving, Sprout makes it more accessible and convenient for users to contribute to the causes they care about.
Sprout is a news-based crowdfunding charity app that aims to address the challenge of turning awareness into action. In today's complex social, environmental, and political landscape, it can be overwhelming to keep up with global issues and actively support causes. Sprout promotes social impact through education-driven action: connecting news articles with reputable non-profits and charities, providing users with a seamless pathway to make a tangible difference. By bridging the gap between awareness and charitable giving, Sprout makes it more accessible and convenient for users to contribute to the causes they care about.
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
Understanding the Problem Space
Understanding the Problem Space
Understanding the Problem Space
I interviewed six students to evaluate what the primary barriers to social impact were.
I interviewed six students to evaluate what the primary barriers to social impact were.
I interviewed six students to evaluate what the primary barriers to social impact were.
I wanted to learn about their needs, motivations, and frustrations with the current methods of donating and being informed about issues around the world. I identified three main sentiments and thought processes that were obstacles to charitable giving. These shaped my “How Might We” questions, and became the main problems that I sought to address through Sprout.
I wanted to learn about their needs, motivations, and frustrations with the current methods of donating and being informed about issues around the world. I identified three main sentiments and thought processes that were obstacles to charitable giving. These shaped my “How Might We” questions, and became the main problems that I sought to address through Sprout.
I wanted to learn about their needs, motivations, and frustrations with the current methods of donating and being informed about issues around the world. I identified three main sentiments and thought processes that were obstacles to charitable giving. These shaped my “How Might We” questions, and became the main problems that I sought to address through Sprout.
I don't know where my money is going.
I don't know where my money is going.
I don't know where my money is going.
✹ HMW establish trust between users and non-profits?
My donation is too small to make a difference.
My donation is too small to make a difference.
My donation is too small to make a difference.
✹ HMW make users feel fulfilled in their giving and make them feel as if they are actually making a difference?
I want to help, but I don't know where to donate to.
I want to help, but I don't know where to donate to.
I want to help, but I don't know where to donate to.
✹ HMW make the process of learning, searching, and donating as streamlined and convenient as possible?
Researching Existing Systems
Researching Existing Systems
Researching Existing Systems
After recognizing the frustrations surrounding social impact, I researched existing systems aimed at addressing this issue.
After recognizing the frustrations surrounding social impact, I researched existing systems aimed at addressing this issue.
After recognizing the frustrations surrounding social impact, I researched existing systems aimed at addressing this issue.
I focused on analyzing GoFundMe, direct organization platforms, and social media to identify what problems and features are currently in the field of charity and social impact.
Existing fundraising platforms often suffer from usability and transparency issues, making it difficult for users to navigate and trust the information provided. There is a need for more meaningful and intuitive opportunities for action beyond performative activism.
I focused on analyzing GoFundMe, direct organization platforms, and social media to identify what problems and features are currently in the field of charity and social impact.
Existing fundraising platforms often suffer from usability and transparency issues, making it difficult for users to navigate and trust the information provided. There is a need for more meaningful and intuitive opportunities for action beyond performative activism.
I focused on analyzing GoFundMe, direct organization platforms, and social media to identify what problems and features are currently in the field of charity and social impact.
Existing fundraising platforms often suffer from usability and transparency issues, making it difficult for users to navigate and trust the information provided. There is a need for more meaningful and intuitive opportunities for action beyond performative activism.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
✹ The challenge is to lower the barriers to donating and taking action, while ensuring donors feel informed, fulfilled, and trust the impact of their contributions.
✹ The challenge is to lower the barriers to donating and taking action, while ensuring donors feel informed, fulfilled, and trust the impact of their contributions.
✹ The challenge is to lower the barriers to donating and taking action, while ensuring donors feel informed, fulfilled, and trust the impact of their contributions.
Many potential donors face barriers to charitable giving, including feeling that their donations are too small to make a difference, lacking trust in where their money is going, and struggling to find suitable organizations to donate to. Existing platforms suffer from usability issues, lack transparency, and provide limited opportunities for meaningful action.
Many potential donors face barriers to charitable giving, including feeling that their donations are too small to make a difference, lacking trust in where their money is going, and struggling to find suitable organizations to donate to. Existing platforms suffer from usability issues, lack transparency, and provide limited opportunities for meaningful action.
Many potential donors face barriers to charitable giving, including feeling that their donations are too small to make a difference, lacking trust in where their money is going, and struggling to find suitable organizations to donate to. Existing platforms suffer from usability issues, lack transparency, and provide limited opportunities for meaningful action.
Potential Users
Potential Users
Potential Users
I identified three potential users across different demographics; this informed my design process by allowing me to tailor the user experience to meet the needs and motivations of the different user groups. By 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; this informed my design process by allowing me to tailor the user experience to meet the needs and motivations of the different user groups. By 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; this informed my design process by allowing me to tailor the user experience to meet the needs and motivations of the different user groups. By 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.
Design Decision
Design Decision
Design Decision
Why a mobile app?
Why a mobile app?
Why a mobile app?
Phones have become an integral part of our lives, and according to Global Trends in Giving Report 2018, online donations made through credit/debit card are the preferred method across all age demographics. By creating a mobile app, Sprout can provide users with a convenient, accessible, and secure platform to donate and support causes they care about, anytime and anywhere.
Phones have become an integral part of our lives, and according to Global Trends in Giving Report 2018, online donations made through credit/debit card are the preferred method across all age demographics. By creating a mobile app, Sprout can provide users with a convenient, accessible, and secure platform to donate and support causes they care about, anytime and anywhere.
Phones have become an integral part of our lives, and according to Global Trends in Giving Report 2018, online donations made through credit/debit card are the preferred method across all age demographics. By creating a mobile app, Sprout can provide users with a convenient, accessible, and secure platform to donate and support causes they care about, anytime and anywhere.
Goals
Goals
Goals
I established four primary goals that served as the scaffolding in which Sprout was designed around. These goals kept me grounded in the problems and pain points I had identified and were working to address.
I established four primary goals that served as the scaffolding in which Sprout was designed around. These goals kept me grounded in the problems and pain points I had identified and were working to address.
I established four primary goals that served as the scaffolding in which Sprout was designed around. These goals kept me grounded in the problems and pain points I had identified and were working to address.
✹ Transparency
Build trust between donors and organizations by providing clear and detailed information about the causes and charities supported.
Build trust between donors and organizations by providing clear and detailed information about the causes and charities supported.
Build trust between donors and organizations by providing clear and detailed information about the causes and charities supported.
✹ Education
Empower users to take action by presenting accurate and up-to-date information about current events and issues in an easily digestible format.
Empower users to take action by presenting accurate and up-to-date information about current events and issues in an easily digestible format.
Empower users to take action by presenting accurate and up-to-date information about current events and issues in an easily digestible format.
✹ Convenience
Simplify the donation process to make it easy for users to support causes they care about, without unnecessary barriers or complications.
Simplify the donation process to make it easy for users to support causes they care about, without unnecessary barriers or complications.
Simplify the donation process to make it easy for users to support causes they care about, without unnecessary barriers or complications.
✹ "Feel Good"
Create a positive and personalized user experience that promotes a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, motivating users to continue supporting causes over time.
Create a positive and personalized user experience that promotes a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, motivating users to continue supporting causes over time.
Create a positive and personalized user experience that promotes a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, motivating users to continue supporting causes over time.
Wireframes
Wireframes
Wireframes
Design Systems
Design Systems
Design Systems
Final Design Solution
Final Design Solution
Final Design Solution
Main hub to consolidate information and action
Main hub to consolidate information and action
Main hub to consolidate information and action
There is a prominent feature at the top of the Home page showcasing an urgent current event or fundraiser. Users can easily access both information and donation options, making it simple to contribute to a cause they feel passionate about.
Additionally, the My Charity Impacts module on the Home page informs users about the impact they've contributed to making, and provides details about the organizations they've supported. This was helps create a sense of personal connection and accomplishment for users, highlighting the tangible difference their donations are making in the world.
There is a prominent feature at the top of the Home page showcasing an urgent current event or fundraiser. Users can easily access both information and donation options, making it simple to contribute to a cause they feel passionate about.
Additionally, the My Charity Impacts module on the Home page informs users about the impact they've contributed to making, and provides details about the organizations they've supported. This was helps create a sense of personal connection and accomplishment for users, highlighting the tangible difference their donations are making in the world.
There is a prominent feature at the top of the Home page showcasing an urgent current event or fundraiser. Users can easily access both information and donation options, making it simple to contribute to a cause they feel passionate about.
Additionally, the My Charity Impacts module on the Home page informs users about the impact they've contributed to making, and provides details about the organizations they've supported. This was helps create a sense of personal connection and accomplishment for users, highlighting the tangible difference their donations are making in the world.
Informed and confident decision making
Informed and confident decision making
Informed and confident decision making
The Fundraiser page is designed to provide users with the information they need to make informed decisions about where to donate their time and money.
The Overview section provides a concise summary of the cause, while the Charity Details section breaks down the nonprofit's response to the issue, with links for users to learn more outside of the app.
The Fundraiser page is designed to provide users with the information they need to make informed decisions about where to donate their time and money.
The Overview section provides a concise summary of the cause, while the Charity Details section breaks down the nonprofit's response to the issue, with links for users to learn more outside of the app.
The Fundraiser page is designed to provide users with the information they need to make informed decisions about where to donate their time and money.
The Overview section provides a concise summary of the cause, while the Charity Details section breaks down the nonprofit's response to the issue, with links for users to learn more outside of the app.
Connecting news articles with ways to help
Connecting news articles with ways to help
Connecting news articles with ways to help
The News page is compiles articles from reputable sources to keep users informed about current events and social issues.This section helps to bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Each article includes a “How to Help” section with links to relevant fundraisers, empowering users to take action and make a difference. Additionally, related articles are provided to promote further research and learning, creating an educational and informative experience for users.
The News page is compiles articles from reputable sources to keep users informed about current events and social issues.This section helps to bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Each article includes a “How to Help” section with links to relevant fundraisers, empowering users to take action and make a difference. Additionally, related articles are provided to promote further research and learning, creating an educational and informative experience for users.
The News page is compiles articles from reputable sources to keep users informed about current events and social issues.This section helps to bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Each article includes a “How to Help” section with links to relevant fundraisers, empowering users to take action and make a difference. Additionally, related articles are provided to promote further research and learning, creating an educational and informative experience for users.
Visualizing donations as immediate, tangible impact
Visualizing donations as immediate, tangible impact
Visualizing donations as immediate, tangible impact
The donating page allows users to give whatever amount they are able to, and see the immediate impact of their contribution. With the option of one-time or monthly recurring donations, the process is easy and streamlined.
The donating page allows users to give whatever amount they are able to, and see the immediate impact of their contribution. With the option of one-time or monthly recurring donations, the process is easy and streamlined.
The donating page allows users to give whatever amount they are able to, and see the immediate impact of their contribution. With the option of one-time or monthly recurring donations, the process is easy and streamlined.
Personalizing social change
Personalizing social change
Personalizing social change
The profile pages allows users to view their donation stats and access all the organizations they have donated to. Achievement badges help to gamify the concept of donating and work as an incentive to compel users to take more action and fulfill their goals.
The profile pages allows users to view their donation stats and access all the organizations they have donated to. Achievement badges help to gamify the concept of donating and work as an incentive to compel users to take more action and fulfill their goals.
The profile pages allows users to view their donation stats and access all the organizations they have donated to. Achievement badges help to gamify the concept of donating and work as an incentive to compel users to take more action and fulfill their goals.
Staying up-to-date
Staying up-to-date
Staying up-to-date
The past donations and updates page keeps users in the loop about the impact of their contributions. Users receive regular updates from the organizations they have donated to, and can easily view their donation history to track their impact. The page also provides users with a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to continue to make a difference.
The past donations and updates page keeps users in the loop about the impact of their contributions. Users receive regular updates from the organizations they have donated to, and can easily view their donation history to track their impact. The page also provides users with a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to continue to make a difference.
The past donations and updates page keeps users in the loop about the impact of their contributions. Users receive regular updates from the organizations they have donated to, and can easily view their donation history to track their impact. The page also provides users with a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to continue to make a difference.
User Testing Feedback
User Testing Feedback
User Testing Feedback
With the working prototype, I tested the app with five users to evaluate its effectiveness in addressing barriers to charitable giving and its user-friendliness.
With the working prototype, I tested the app with five users to evaluate its effectiveness in addressing barriers to charitable giving and its user-friendliness.
With the working prototype, I tested the app with five users to evaluate its effectiveness in addressing barriers to charitable giving and its user-friendliness.
As part of the design process, I conducted usability testing in person with five participants to gather valuable feedback on Sprout. The insights and opinions that I received were really helpful in identifying both the advantages and areas for improvement in the app's design and functionality.
As part of the design process, I conducted usability testing in person with five participants to gather valuable feedback on Sprout. The insights and opinions that I received were really helpful in identifying both the advantages and areas for improvement in the app's design and functionality.
As part of the design process, I conducted usability testing in person with five participants to gather valuable feedback on Sprout. The insights and opinions that I received were really helpful in identifying both the advantages and areas for improvement in the app's design and functionality.
✹ Feedback – Advantages
Being able to see the tangible results of a donation is motivating and helps users feel connected to the cause and their impact
Users feel more compelled to donate right after reading an article that they had an emotional response to. Pairing news articles with relevant fundraisers allow users to take immediate action on an issue they empathize with
Being able to see the tangible results of a donation is motivating and helps users feel connected to the cause and their impact
Users feel more compelled to donate right after reading an article that they had an emotional response to. Pairing news articles with relevant fundraisers allow users to take immediate action on an issue they empathize with
Being able to see the tangible results of a donation is motivating and helps users feel connected to the cause and their impact
Users feel more compelled to donate right after reading an article that they had an emotional response to. Pairing news articles with relevant fundraisers allow users to take immediate action on an issue they empathize with
✹ Feedback – Suggestions
I wonder if there’s a way to add a social aspect to the app, where users could connect with friends? Furthering the gamification aspect that’s shown on the profile page and the donation progress bars
Possibly adding volunteerism for people who may want to contribute beyond monetary donations, or donate their time instead of money
The ability to personalized what kind of featured causes users are seeing on their home page – possibly indicating when users are signing up? (i.e. Environmental charities, then users will see news articles and fundraisers mostly related to the environment)
I wonder if there’s a way to add a social aspect to the app, where users could connect with friends? Furthering the gamification aspect that’s shown on the profile page and the donation progress bars
Possibly adding volunteerism for people who may want to contribute beyond monetary donations, or donate their time instead of money
The ability to personalized what kind of featured causes users are seeing on their home page – possibly indicating when users are signing up? (i.e. Environmental charities, then users will see news articles and fundraisers mostly related to the environment)
I wonder if there’s a way to add a social aspect to the app, where users could connect with friends? Furthering the gamification aspect that’s shown on the profile page and the donation progress bars
Possibly adding volunteerism for people who may want to contribute beyond monetary donations, or donate their time instead of money
The ability to personalized what kind of featured causes users are seeing on their home page – possibly indicating when users are signing up? (i.e. Environmental charities, then users will see news articles and fundraisers mostly related to the environment)
Takeaways
Takeaways
Takeaways
This project has been a huge learning experience, and it's something I'm eager to continue exploring and refining in the future.
This project has been a huge learning experience, and it's something I'm eager to continue exploring and refining in the future.
This project has been a huge learning experience, and it's something I'm eager to continue exploring and refining in the future.
This project was an enormous learning experience for me, being my first full endeavors into the product design process from start to finish. It was incredible being able to bring an idea that I genuinely value and am passionate about–designing for social change and impact–come to life, as I researched, ideated, and designed the final product for 6 weeks.
If I were to continue working on this project, I would love to delve more into the idea of integrating news and charity together. How can I further bridge information and action, educating users in ways that make them feel inclined to contribute and help? Another potential idea I’d love to explore is the idea of non-monetary contributions, if the idea of volunteerism or community service could be implemented within a system like Sprout as well.
This project was an enormous learning experience for me, being my first full endeavors into the product design process from start to finish. It was incredible being able to bring an idea that I genuinely value and am passionate about–designing for social change and impact–come to life, as I researched, ideated, and designed the final product for 6 weeks.
If I were to continue working on this project, I would love to delve more into the idea of integrating news and charity together. How can I further bridge information and action, educating users in ways that make them feel inclined to contribute and help? Another potential idea I’d love to explore is the idea of non-monetary contributions, if the idea of volunteerism or community service could be implemented within a system like Sprout as well.
This project was an enormous learning experience for me, being my first full endeavors into the product design process from start to finish. It was incredible being able to bring an idea that I genuinely value and am passionate about–designing for social change and impact–come to life, as I researched, ideated, and designed the final product for 6 weeks.
If I were to continue working on this project, I would love to delve more into the idea of integrating news and charity together. How can I further bridge information and action, educating users in ways that make them feel inclined to contribute and help? Another potential idea I’d love to explore is the idea of non-monetary contributions, if the idea of volunteerism or community service could be implemented within a system like Sprout as well.