GID Design Hackathon 2023 : Matriarch - Promoting Self-Sufficiency in the Transition from Foster Care to Independence
Project Overview
Event: UX Design Hackathon
Duration: 3 Days
Team Members: UX Designers, Developers, Project Manager, Client
Project Name: Matriarch - Empowering Independence for Foster Care Leavers
Background
The Matriarch hackathon focused on empowering individuals transitioning out of foster care towards independence from government assistance. The diverse team included developers, a project manager, the idea originator with personal foster care experience, and myself, a freelance UX designer.
Project Goals
How might we design an intuitive and empowering digital platform, like Matriarch, to effectively assist individuals transitioning out of foster care, by connecting them with essential resources, mentorship, and community support, while also addressing their educational needs and mental health challenges?
Defining and Initial Research, Personas, Brainstorming Feature Prioritization
Day 1: Defining Goals:
We set out to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals transitioning out of foster care.
Identified the primary aim: to create a tool that provides a clear pathway to independence by connecting users with professionals and community resources.
Competitive Analysis:
Due to time constraints, we conducted a rapid analysis of existing apps targeting similar user groups. This helped us identify some common functionalities and gaps that we could potentially address.
User Research Approach:
Considering the time constraints, we designed a set of direct questions aimed at understanding the struggles of individuals leaving the welfare system. We also leveraged the personal experiences and insights of the team member who had firsthand experience with foster care.
User Personas and Needs:
Utilising the insights gathered from the team members with lived experience, we crafted personas representing the diverse challenges and aspirations of individuals leaving foster care. These personas highlighted varying needs and goals in their journey to independence.
Design Sprint:
Conducted an intense brainstorming session involving the entire team to ideate on potential features and functionalities for the Matriarch app.
We prioritised features by voting on their significance in addressing the identified needs of the user personas. Key features included access to onboarding process, Dashboard, community resources, goal-setting tools, and a support network.
User Stories and MVP User Flows,Wireframing
Day 2:User Stories
Collaboratively, we formulated user stories based on the identified personas and their needs. These stories detailed specific scenarios and goals users might have while navigating the app.
MVP User Flows:
With the prioritized features in mind, we sketched out user flows for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). These flows mapped the user journey from onboarding to accessing crucial resources and setting goals within the app.
The MVP focused on creating a seamless experience for users to connect with professionals and resources essential for their transition.
Inspiration / Wireframing Creation
It is noteworthy that design inspiration derived during the brainstorming session contributed significantly to the ideation process. This inspiration manifested in the form of sketches and additional wireframes, complementing our initial concepts. The integration of design inspiration was instrumental in refining the wireframes, ensuring they not only aligned with the intended user experience but also incorporated elements that resonated with the overarching theme of facilitating independence.
Wireframing, UI Creation, and Presentation
Day 3:UI Creation:
Wireframe Creation:
During the wireframe creation process, the insights garnered from our collaborative brainstorming session and user stories played a pivotal role in informing the design decisions. By swiftly translating these conceptualizations into tangible wireframes, we meticulously outlined the structure of key components, including the landing page, home page, login and sign-up flows, and the dashboard.
Sketches /Lo-Fi
Design System
Building upon the wireframes, we designed a basic UI that reflected the branding and visual identity of Matriarch. Though it was simple, the UI was crafted to be user-friendly and accessible, considering the sensitive nature of the app's purpose.
Design Rationale: Pink and Green Color Scheme
In the initial stages, black and white, as well as red, were considered for the Matriarch app. However, through collaboration with the client and a careful analysis of color psychology in UX design, the decision to adopt a pink and green color scheme was made.
Presentation and Results:
During the final presentation, we showcased the progress made in just three days. We highlighted the key features, user flows, and the interface created. The judges acknowledged our effort in addressing a crucial social issue and recognized the potential impact of Matriarch in supporting individuals transitioning from foster care.
Outcomes and Reflection:
Securing the 3rd place was a remarkable achievement, considering the time constraints and the ambitious goal of creating a tool for such an important cause. The hackathon not only validated the concept of Matriarch but also emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to support those leaving the foster care system.
Key Takeaways
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User-Centred Design Triumphs: The hackathon reinforced the importance of prioritising user needs and experiences. Crafting solutions that directly address the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from foster care was the cornerstone of our success.
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Agile Collaboration is Key: The diverse team composition, including developers, a project manager, and a team member with personal foster care experience, showcased the effectiveness of collaborative, cross-functional efforts in a time-constrained environment.
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Iterative Design Thinking: The iterative design process, encompassing rapid brainstorming, user story formulation, and wireframing, allowed for quick validation and adjustment of ideas, ensuring a user-centric and practical solution.
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Holistic Approach to Empowerment: Recognizing the multifaceted challenges of foster care leavers, the comprehensive approach to digital support, education, community networks, and a public awareness campaign highlighted the need for a holistic solution.
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Client-Centred Adaptability: The willingness to adapt and pivot, such as adjusting the colour scheme based on client preferences, demonstrated the importance of client collaboration and flexibility to meet their vision and branding requirements.
Next Steps:
While the hackathon provided a strong foundation, further steps could involve:
User Testing: Conducting user testing to gather feedback and refine the user experience based on real user interactions.
Development Iteration: Building upon the MVP by adding more functionalities and refining the interface based on user feedback.
Partnerships and Support: Seeking partnerships with organizations in the foster care space for additional insights and support.
The recognition obtained at the hackathon serves as an encouragement to continue developing Matriarch, a tool with the potential to positively impact the lives of those seeking independence from the foster care system.