In order to properly design for users, I needed to understand their goals and frustrations with the volunteer process currently. These interviews were accomplished remotely via Google Meet and since this was an independent project with limited resources, many of the participants were friends and family. In total, I had 6 participants who went above and beyond with their initial thoughts and feedback. From these interviews, a primary user group of curious adults who would like to know more about animal conservation efforts was formed. These users indicated their want for a simple method to see volunteer events in their area. Another key feature was the inclusion of the option to volunteer both as an individual and as a group. Two personas were created as can be seen above.

Using Clip Studio, I quickly sketched a few ideas for the home screen of the mobile app. With these sketches, I picked out the features I liked the best and finalized a home screen idea (shown in red). Using Figma, I created a low-fidelity prototype that would be used for the first usability study.

With finished low-fi prototypes for the mobile app, I recruited participants for a usability study. Like I mentioned earlier, I relied on friends and family to provide their input for my designs. I was still able to receive wonderful feedback from them as seen below, which were turned into opportunities for improvement.

With these improvement opportunities, I revised the low-fi prototype to address the participant's pain points. In addition, I created low-fi prototypes for both mobile web and desktop web screens while acknowledging the findings from the usability study. For the mobile web design, I included a menu option to replace the bottom navigation bar of the mobile app. I combined a few screens for the desktop web design, as the extra space allowed for more content on one page.

Next, I started working on the hi-fi mockups for the three screen sizes. During this process, I made sure to prioritize accessibility concerns and usability while creating an aesthetic design. Additionally, with the use of a sticker sheet, I was able remain consistent with the same colors, components, text, and icons throughout every design. Below, you can see the final designs of Zoolunteer app and web design (mobile and desktop).

At the moment, Zoolunteer allows users to sign up for volunteer events for the benefit of endangered animals. While designing, I prioritized usability and accessibility. Users also have the ability to access Zoolunteer through a variety of devices, furthering the reach of volunteer opportunities. The final design features clear and concise wording and a focus on volunteer opportunities. Users are able to learn about endangered animals, local volunteer opportunities, and animal conservation news from a variety of trustworthy sources, all in one place.

I furthered my experience with UX design and research with this project. The previous two projects, MerchPerch and the Sunshine Bookstore, were my first endeavors into UX design. With the knowledge and techniques I learned from those experiences, I was able to improve my work flow and design choices on Zoolunteer. With that said, I did find myself lost at some points with this project. Ultimately, I trusted the UX design process to guide me to a finished product and it left me with a product I'm proud of!

If you want to know more about Zoolunteer, please contact me!