Case Study:

Give & Get App Design

Nowadays, more and more people care about being kind to the environment. Sometimes, they have extra things like party stuff or things they don't use, and they want to share them. Other times, they might need something specific for a short while and don't want to buy it.

That's where the Community Share app comes in. It helps neighbors share things they need or have extra of. It's really easy to use, so you can quickly find what you're looking for. Plus, it's all on your phone! This makes sharing things with your neighbors super simple and helps take care of our environment.

1. Research

 1.1. Project Overview

The problem

In today's world, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness. Individuals who align with these beliefs often encounter situations where they have leftover items, such as bread buns from parties or unused decorations, that they would like to give away for reuse. Similarly, there are instances where individuals require specific items, such as a unique-sized screw, for one-time use and prefer not to purchase them outright.


The goal

Recognizing the need for a convenient and dedicated platform to facilitate these exchanges, the proposed app aims to provide a simple, quick, and user-friendly solution.


The product

GIVE & GET a user-centric mobile application connects neighbors and empowers them to ask for, gift, or borrow items within their local community. The app will feature an intuitive and straightforward interface, ensuring users can navigate effortlessly and accomplish their desired actions efficiently. By leveraging the power of mobile technology, the app will provide an optimal user experience, catering specifically to the needs of sustainable resource sharing.


Responsibilities


My role

UI/UX designer from conception to delivery.


Project duration

5 weeks/ July-Aug 2023

1.2. Understanding the user

To comprehend the users, I am designing for and their requirements, I conducted interviews and produced empathy maps. Adults who want to connect with neighbors and share, gift, or borrow items, were one of the main user groups discovered through this research. This user group supported initial assumptions about GIVE & GET users, but the study also showed users support the app because it not only promotes sustainability, but also strengthens community bonds, and streamlines the exchange process. 

During research, I interviewed 5 individuals interested in connecting with their neighbors to share, give, or borrow items. After gathering and analyzing the information, I identified several pain points and persona.

1.3. User pain points

Accessibility

Facebook pages with a similar objective exist, they lack the dedicated functionality and user experience required for efficient resource sharing. 

AI

Text-heavy menus in apps are challenging to read and search items.

For instance, one of the issues I found was the absence of categories and filters for listing items to give or request. 

1.4. Persona & problem statement

Sarah is highly motivated to build connections and foster a sense of community within her apartment complex.

1.5. User-flows

Task 1:

From home page go to the search page:


1.6. Style Guide

2. Starting the design

2.1. Wireframes 

To enhance the user experience and design process, I iteratively drafted multiple versions of the app screen to address customer pain points effectively. Considering the user's primary goal, I prioritized the home screen's layout and interactions to ensure a seamless experience.

I chose this draft and I ensured to base screen ideas as the initial design phase progressed on user research feedback and findings. In addition to making the app compatible with assistive technologies, easy navigation was a key user need that had to be addressed in the designs.

2.2 Refining the design 

In the initial design, the platform lacked the capability for users to apply filters when perusing posts. Recognizing the need for enhanced user experience, I added filters to customize viewing based on preferences.

I included "GIVE" and "ASK" choices at the post's top, granting users easy access. Simplifying further, I changed the tab colors on the "ASK" page to avoid confusion and added the title of the item instead of "GIVE" and "ASK".

After some research, I figured out that users want to be able to send a message directly to the person who gift the item and get more information. Instead of having to find the message icon at the bottom and then searching for the giver's name, it would be simpler for them to just tap on the "Direct Message" button right below the post. 

2.4. Accessibility considerations

1. Screen readers

To add alternative text to images for the visually impaired

2. Icons

To make navigation easier, icons were used.

3. Images

To help all users understand the designs, detailed imagery is used to represent the items.

2.5. Final designs


After I conducted a usability study from wireframes to mockups, the designs were influenced by the results of the study. The research showed which elements of the mockups needed to be improved through the usage of a high-fidelity prototype.

2.6. High-fidelity prototype

The final high-fidelity prototype presented cleaner user flows for ordering food and checkout. It also met user needs for a pickup or delivery option.

View the GIVE & GET high-fidelity prototype

Conclusion


Users of the Give and Get app often feel that their needs are well taken care of, as the app provides them with an excellent experience right within the application.

During my work on the Give and Get app, I discovered that the initial concepts for the app were just the starting point. I continuously worked on enhancing the app by considering its user-friendliness and gathering feedback from friends and colleagues.

Our intended users appreciated the app's design, finding it easy to navigate. They also enjoyed the captivating graphics and how the information was presented in a clear and organized manner. This iterative process of improvement ensured that the app evolved to meet the needs and preferences of its users, providing them with a satisfying and enjoyable experience.