role

Product Designer

What I Did

UX/UI Design, UX Research

Timeline

August - October 2021

Tools

Figma, FigJam, Whimsical, Jitter, Illustrator

Aurora

Aurora is a user-friendly app designed to assist homeless individuals and community members who want to offer help, whether by locating nearby shelters, food banks, or medical services.

Problem Statement

Users often struggle to find nearby shelters, food banks, or medical care centers. This challenge is compounded by the frustration of not having access to information about the availability and safety of these resources, leaving many uncertain and unsupported when they need help the most.

Solution

Users can effortlessly find shelters, food, medical care, and skills-building opportunities with its intuitive interface. In addition to the map tool, Aurora ensures nearby assistance is easily located with information about the place, hotline, etc.

Research

competitive analysis

An audit of several competitors’ products highlighted key differences and informed the development of strategies to better address user needs and differentiate Aurora in the market.

View Full Research Here

personas & journey map

From user interviews, I developed two distinct personas, each with unique needs, goals, and pain points. These personas guided me in mapping their journeys, helping to pinpoint key areas to enhance the Aurora app's user experience.

Concept Development

User Flow

A user flow is created to guide users step-by-step, from locating shelters to making donations, ensuring they can easily achieve their goals.

Sketches

I started with sketches to quickly explore layout ideas and user interactions, helping to visualize and refine key concepts early on.

wireframes & low-fidelity

I translated my sketches into wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes, focusing on structure and flow. These early designs were crucial for testing and refining the app’s core functionality.

View Low-Fi Prototype

usability study

I conducted a usability study to identify key issues in the Aurora app. The study revealed several pain points, including confusion about getting started, frustration with navigation, and difficulties in the donation process.

visual design

The final design reflects a user-centered approach, ensuring that the platform is intuitive, accessible, and effective in addressing the needs of both homeless individuals and community members who wish to help. The design focuses on simplicity and clarity, making it easy for users to find essential resources and support.

design system

Real-Time Updates
Users receive the most current information on available shelters, food banks, and medical services.

Sharing Gift
A function allows users to donate clothes, food, or even essential items like kitchenware, towels, etc.

Shelter Safeness & Availability
Clear indicators show the safety and available status of shelters, helping users make informed decisions.

Final Prototype

The final prototype showcases the app's interface and interactions, allowing for effective testing and validation of the user experience.

Key Takeaways

Impact

Users can easily access the services they need, whether to help others or for their own use. Feedback has been positive across various user types, with homeless individuals feeling supported and valued, which is a crucial first step towards rebuilding their lives. Donors also feel reassured that their contributions are making a tangible impact within their communities.

What I Learned:

While addressing the needs of the homeless population is a significant challenge, this project demonstrated that incremental steps can lead to meaningful change. I believe that, over time, the Aurora application will continue to evolve, offering enhanced features and services that improve the quality of life in communities.

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