Benevoland
Duration: May – August 2023
Role: Product Designer
I was inspired to build this product after spending a week living and working at a soup kitchen in Philadelphia with a friend of mine who has devoted herself to a year of service at this establishment.
Personally, I don’t have much experience volunteering outside of community service work in school. I was brought to this place because of the connection with my friend, and many of the people I met while working there stumbled upon the opportunity in a similar way. People were brought there either through a school, their church, or just word of mouth.
After spending only a week volunteering at this soup kitchen, I felt I had gained a new perspective on my own privilege and the importance if giving back in any way you can. I met so many amazing people through this community. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience that seems to benefit everyone involved.
After going through this experience I wanted to create a platform to open up a space for people to connect with organizations in a more accessible way.
Connect volunteers with non-profit organizations that need help.
The problem:
Non-profit organizations don’t usually have the funding to market themselves and reach potential volunteers beyond word of mouth.
The goal:
User research
In conducting my research I interviewed a wide range of possible user groups from retirees, to young adults, to people working full time for non-profit organizations. I originally wanted to create a platform that focused on the management side of delegating tasks within an organization. Through my interviews I asked users very general questions about their experiences in volunteering and the platform evolved into a tool for volunteers to explore new opportunities. I separated my demographics into user groups based on their slightly different use cases. The designated mobile app will be created for users that prefer to explore opportunities around the world and would be more likely to search on the go. The responsive web app caters to users that are focusing on exploring new opportunities in their immediate community.
Pain points
Discovery
Many volunteers have experienced difficulty in exploring new opportunities outside of simple word of mouth. Some users want to branch out, meet new people, and explore other areas that need help.
Planning
Users find it difficult to coordinate with some organizations that don’t have their availability public. There can be a lot of back and forth planning with an organization.
Limited Time
Users want to be given an extensive overview before they plan their visit. For volunteers that work another job full time, they want the search process to be quick and easy.
Safety
Some users feel uneasy about trying out a new and unfamiliar organization. They would like a way to verify the authenticity of where they plan to volunteer.
Competitive Benchmarking
Designated mobile app
Persona
Paper wireframes
These paper wireframes show the various areas explored in the evolution of the functions of this use case. I experimented with making this a sort of social media platform, but I eventually decided that I wanted to put the emphasis on exploration and focus on cultivating most of the experience outside of the device, instead of permitting a cycle of constant scrolling and checking in on the app.
Digital wireframes
Lofi Prototype
Usability study findings
01 The homepage listings need more information
04 The search function needs more filters
02 Difficulty with scanning search results
05 The message flow and function is confusing
03 The host profile needs more information
06 Users don’t know what to write in the forms
Updated digital wireframes
Hi-fi mockups
These screens have been updated to include UI elements. The branding is meant to feel clean and trustworthy but also fun. The deep green has an air of purpose, and the type face has a familiar geometric feel but surprises the audience with some sporadic serifs. The name “Benevoland” comes from the French “bénévole” which translates to volunteer and land to indicate the expanse of opportunities.
Final design
Responsive website
Persona
Journey map
Paper wireframes
Digital wireframes
Final responsive designs
These prototypes illustrate the flow of the user persona, Lorraine. This responsive site provides an introduction to Benevoland for new users. Beyond the introduction, the user proceeds to filter their local options, review an organization profile, and send a request to a host.
Takeaways
The final product provides a platform for volunteers and organizations to easily connect and discover near and far. Benevoland prioritizes cultivating a unique customizable user experience. Moving forward, there is potential to create functions from the perspective of organizations and explore other user groups.