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Summary
Bloomify is an application being developed by Bridgehope a non-profit based in Denver focused on supporting survivors of exploitation and trafficking. The aim is to address the critical need to provide timely and effective support to survivors of exploitation and trafficking. Bloomify's core mission is to minimize the time between the initial meeting of a survivor advocate and the receipt of support, while also enhancing the quality of care provided.
My Role
As a design researcher and product designer, I played a critical role in developing the product vision and high-fidelity designs to secure funding for the application's development. I collaborated closely with stakeholders to gather feedback and insights, including survivor advocates, resource providers, and founders.
Pain Points
Survivors of domestic violence face a range of challenges, from emotional trauma to practical difficulties accessing the resources they need to escape and heal. Survivor advocates also experience pain points in their efforts to support survivors, as they may lack visibility into the resources available and struggle to coordinate with other organizations. Some of the specific pain points identified during the design research phase include:
Our Approach
To ensure a successful and efficient design process, our team took a collaborative and iterative approach. We recognized the importance of gathering as much information as possible from all stakeholders, including survivor advocates, resource providers, and survivors themselves, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the pain points and desired features.We utilized various research methods, including in-person interviews, focus groups, and surveys, to gather insights and feedback from all stakeholders. We then compiled and analyzed the data to identify the most critical pain points and the most desired features, which we referred to as "magic wand" features.Using this information, we created a prioritization matrix to help us determine the MVP and which features were essential. We considered factors such as impact on user experience, development effort, and feasibility to make informed decisions needs of survivors and those who support them.
By addressing these pain points and developing an app that provides comprehensive resources and support for survivors, as well as streamlining coordination between survivor advocates and resource providers, we can make a significant impact.
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Developing a comprehensive design system for rapid iteration
To ensure that our product design process was efficient and effective, we developed a comprehensive design system in Figma. This allowed us to quickly iterate and test different design concepts with users, as well as make changes and adjustments on the fly. We created a library of design components, such as buttons, forms, and navigation elements, that could be easily accessed and modified as needed. We also established a set of design guidelines and best practices to ensure consistency and coherence across all design elements. This design system proved invaluable in facilitating user testing and rapid iteration, as it allowed us to quickly create new designs, make changes based on feedback, and test those changes with users in a timely manner.
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Personalized user experiences based on user personas
In order to make the Bloomify app easy to use and effective for its users, we designed personalized user experiences based on the needs and preferences of advocates and resource providers. Through extensive research and interviews with these user groups, we developed detailed personas to represent their unique characteristics, goals, and pain points. These personas served as a blueprint for designing user flows, information architecture, and visual design elements that catered to the specific needs and preferences of each group. By taking a user-centered approach, we were able to create a more intuitive and efficient user experience that supports our mission of providing timely and effective support to survivors of exploitation and trafficking.
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Developing a comprehensive design system for rapid iteration
To improve the speed and efficiency of support for survivors, we looked to Uber for inspiration. We implemented a notification system that streamlines communication between survivor advocates and resource providers, similar to how Uber simplifies communication between drivers and passengers. This system helps reduce the time it takes for survivors to receive support, as advocates are able to quickly respond to notifications and provide assistance. The notification system also allows for real-time updates and progress tracking, giving survivors and advocates a clear picture of the support being provided. By taking cues from Uber's effective communication system, we were able to improve the overall experience for survivors and advocates, making it easier and faster to connect and receive the support they need.
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