My role
UX Researcher, UX Designer,
UI Designer
Responsibilities
Conducting interviews, research, competitive audit, information architecture, paper and digital wireframing, low and hi-fi prototyping, usability testing and responsive design
Duration
Overall: 5 weeks
Discovery & Research: 1 week
Design & testing: 4 weeks
The product
Altruisto is a volunteer matching mobile app that connects volunteers with local non-profits and charities that need help. The app allows non-profits to post volunteer opportunities, and volunteers to search for opportunities based on their interests and availability.
The problem
People who are interested in volunteering are overwhelmed by the variety of options and it is time consuming for them to research every organisation and to coordinate with their own schedule and values.
The goal
Design an app that allows the users to easily and quickly find a volunteering activity which aligns with their values and fits their schedule.

The Design Process

Empathize: Understanding the user

Interviews

I started by conducting research on the subject to collect information about the current volunteering scenario in Belgrade. Then, to better understand the issues related to low volunteering rates by the general population, I conducted remote interviews with 5 participants. With the data in hand, I created personas to better identify user pain points.  

Personas

Persona (2)
Persona

Competitive Audit

I conducted analysis of the competitors landscape, to gain better knowledge of the products that already exist. In Serbia (un)fortunately there isn’t a similar app for volunteer matching, so I analyzed several of the international apps and revealed their gaps and the opportunities for the Altruisto app.

Ideate: Brainstorming solutions

Crazy Eights
I used the Crazy Eights method in the ideation phase to come up with many ideas in a short period of time about the tools and features the app should have.
Wireframes
I used paper and digital wireframes in my design process to quickly explore layout ideas and fine-tune the design details for the app. It allowed me to to refine design elements and assess how all components would integrate in the final design.

User flow

I created a user flow to outline the step-by-step navigation and interactions for the main task within the app, ensuring a logical and intuitive user experience.

Usability testing

Findings

Based on the usability study findings, the "Discover" page title was often mistaken for a button, leading to confusion. To address this, the font size was increased, and the underline was removed. Additionally, users expressed the need to see the total number of volunteer options available. Furthermore, an alarm symbol was introduced to serve as a helpful reminder for users about upcoming events.
The usability study provided valuable insights about my filter naming approach, revealing areas for improvement. Users expressed confusion over the term "Availability," finding it less intuitive, so I changed the filter name to "Date-picker," providing a more straightforward label. Similarly, I replaced "Causes" with "Categories" to enhance clarity. Additionally, the study highlighted that some users found the skills filter unnecessary and suggested alternative filtering ideas, which I added under the Preferences label.
The Usability study showed that users experienced frustration when trying to select all the given options without a convenient shortcut. To address this, the design was revised, and a select-all checkbox was added, providing users with a one-click shortcut to select all available options effortlessly.
During the study, several participants expressed their desire for more detailed information in the confirmation pop-up message after signing up for a volunteering event. They need to see event-specific details, such as the event name and date, as a way to provide reassurance that they signed up for the intended event. This valuable feedback guided the implementation of a more informative and reassuring confirmation pop-up message, meeting the users' preferences and needs.
As previously mentioned, the Skills filter has been replaced with the Preferences filter. Users now have the ability to select events based on various criteria, including filtering by activity type, group size, age suitability, time duration, environment options, and inclusivity friendly events. These new filtering options offer users a more tailored and comprehensive approach to finding volunteer opportunities that align with their preferences and needs.

Key Mockups

Prototype

Takeaways

Impact
Participants were delighted with the app's user-friendly interface. They enthusiastically recognized the pressing need for such an app and expressed their eagerness to use it for discovering meaningful volunteering opportunities.

A quote from a participant: „This app will definitely be a game-changer for the volunteering scene in Serbia."“
What I've learned
Throughout this project, I have enriched my understanding of design and user-centric development. I realized the importance of using inclusive language and thoughtful filter labels to ensure all users feel welcome and understood. Working on this project has strengthened my commitment to creating digital solutions that positively impact people's lives and foster a sense of community. As I move forward, I will continue to embrace user-centered design principles, actively seek user input, and refine my skills to build even more accessible designs in the future.

Next steps

Thank you for your time checking out my work on The Altruisto app. 
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in collaborations! 🙂

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VIVA

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CRLJEN

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