Share Seed: Speculative App & Responsive Website for Social Good
Share Seed: Speculative App & Responsive Website for Social Good
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Additional case study information can be found on my Behance: Share Seed Speculative App & Responsive Website.
Share Seed: Help your community bloom
Share Seed: Help your community bloom
Share Seed is a community-driven platform that empowers you to unlock the full potential of your neighborhood's shared resources. List your idle items or spaces, discover what others have to offer, and arrange seamless trades or sharing - all within a trusted local network. Save money, reduce waste, and build stronger community connections through the power of resource sharing. With AI-generated alternative text reviewed by our team, adjustable font sizes, color filters, and an intuitive interface, Share Seed ensures an accessible experience for all users.
Behind the Logo:
The Gladiolus flower symbolizes strength, moral integrity, hope, victory, unyielding determination, and remembrance.
It is typically presented to someone embarking on a new journey or overcoming obstacles, making it an excellent representation for Share Seed's goals.
Project Details
Project Details
Share Seed's Mobile App
Share Seed's Mobile App
The mobile app is the focus of this project as the goal is to be able to have the information of the trade, details about the other user you are trading with, and the ability to communicate with the other user in real time. Offline functionalities will include the ability draft trading posts, browse the community bulletin board, and save posts that were shared prior to being offline.
When the user connects to either phone data or Wi-Fi, they would then have notifications for users or bulletin posts that they follow, and they any save drafts that they clicked “post” for while offline would be uploaded. Additionally, they would be able to talk with other users to initiate trades or to request resources/assistance.
If they are in the process of a trade, they could also choose to share their location with the user that they are trading with. Regarding sharing spaces or venues, users that have these locations can share if they are open to sharing their space and for what types of events. This would be voluntary with guidelines on how spaces can be shared or listed.
Share Seed's Responsive Website
Share Seed's Responsive Website
The responsive website will have all the online functionality as the mobile app but would not be able to use location sharing for trade meet ups. The focus of the website would be to share information and to browse what is going on in the community, what trades are available, and what venues are available for use.
Project Duration
Project Duration
Week 1 – May 25 to 31, 2024: Research
Week 2 – June 1 to 7, 2024: Empathize
Week 3 – June 8 to 14, 2024: Define and Ideate
Week 4 – June 15 to 21, 2024: Low-Fidelity Wireframes, Prototyping, and User Test Phase #1
Week 5 – June 22 to 28, 2024: Mockups, High-Fidelity Prototype, and User Test Phase #2
Week 6 – June 29 to July 5, 2024: Ideate & Refine Mockups, Deliver Project to Next Team (if this was a real project)
Project Goal
Project Goal
The goal of this app and responsive website is to create a user-friendly platform where users within the community can efficiently share resources, including physical goods, tools, equipment, knowledge, and spaces or venues with other residents.
With this goal in mind, we hope to strengthen the community and enable better resource utilization.
Project Challenges
Project Challenges
Within many communities, residents often have idle resources, such as tools, equipment, hobby items, and underutilized spaces that libraries cannot support.
At the same time, there are community members that may need those same resources or the opportunity to use those resources; however, they lack an effective way to request or purchase those items.
Additionally, traditional methods of sharing this information may lead to miscommunications or lack of information about what is available and for how long.
My Roles
My Roles
Why I completed this project:
Why I completed this project:
I selected this prompt for this project as sharing items, such as textbooks, snacks, or lounge spaces, was part of what my college dorm hallway used to do with either a written spreadsheet or through the dorm Facebook page. What was most challenging was that the written events were usually not posted on Facebook and vice versa, and finding the person you were trying to share things with through Facebook could sometimes be a challenge as you could not be precise in the directions.
I believe that creating an app where it was clear what you were either requesting, trading, or sharing would be a great tool for a larger community to arrange for trades and come together. This would be like how current groups in social media arrange trades, such as a community ‘Buy Nothing’ group where they trade items that they don’t need any more with something they do need or know they can trade again from someone else.
User Research: Understanding our Community
Research Summary
Research Summary
Competitive audit from business with similar features and goals. This included libraries, social media - such as Facebook groups, and community outreach programs.
Usability studies for Low-Fidelity and High-Fidelity prototypes with a range of users within the community.
Developed a meaningful logo through research on community projects, color meanings, and flower symbolism.
Accessibility Considerations
Accessibility Considerations
For this project, I would use AI Generated alternative image text, which would be completed with the help of front-end developers to implement and review of text. Also, I have carefully considered the typefaces used and chose types that are known for being easier to read, and I would have text scaling available to allow the user to enlarge text and UI for the app. This includes having a dark and light mode. Finally, color filters were used to verify that the app would be readable for users with visual impairments.
User Pain Points
User Pain Points
The pain points below were developed from the competitive audit and the usability studies that were conducted for this project.
User Personas & Journey Maps
User Personas & Journey Maps
Creating the Design
Sitemap
Sitemap
Sitemap Version #1
Sitemap Final Version
While the first version of the sitemap helped to define the key processes, I revised the sitemap to better define the “Your Resources” section and the events page.
Paper Wireframes
Paper Wireframes
When creating the paper wireframes, my goal was to have consistency and familiarity for each screen. Share Seed should have a familiar layout that is easier for non-technological users to understand while offering a modern feel. Additionally, between different device types, the website and app should provide a similar user experience with the navigation, key buttons, and icons in similar locations.
Homepage Paper Wireframe Ideas 1-3
Homepage Paper Wireframe Ideas 4-6
Homepage Paper Wireframes: Finalized for the phone and a tablet.
Homepage Paper Wireframes: Finalized for a desktop.
Trade Design Ideas 1-3
Trade Page Finalized Wireframe for the phone and a tablet.
Trade Page Finalized Wireframe for a desktop.
Digital Wireframes
Digital Wireframes
Low-Fidelity Prototypes
Low-Fidelity Prototypes
Desktop
Desktop
Mobile
Mobile
Usability Study Findings
Usability Study Findings
Objectives
Objectives
To find current user pain points with the wireframe layout, specifically with the Trade and Chat windows.
To discover additional user requests that are considered “must haves” prior to Share Seed’s release (if the project was not speculative).
Research Questions
Research Questions
How can we improve the current layout for the desktop, website, and phone to improve the user experience? What pain points are priority zero?
How can we further improve connection to the community and make Share Seed less transactional?
Methodology
Study Type: Moderated Remote Usability Study
Location: Remote, United States – Participants will complete the study in their own home from their own device.
Date & Duration: June 19 to June 21, 2024 in 90-minute sessions; which will include an introduction, list of tasks, and a post-study survey.
Participants: 7 participants that will complete tasks to the best of their ability without moderator assistance. The moderator will be available for questions but will not guide participants in how to complete the tasks. After their tasks are completed, the participants will complete the survey without the moderator.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Study Type: Moderated Remote Usability Study
Location: Remote, United States – Participants will complete the study in their own home from their own device.
Date & Duration: June 19 to June 21, 2024 in 90-minute sessions; which will include an introduction, list of tasks, and a post-study survey.
Participants: 7 participants that will complete tasks to the best of their ability without moderator assistance. The moderator will be available for questions but will not guide participants in how to complete the tasks. After their tasks are completed, the participants will complete the survey without the moderator.
Findings
The wireframe layout that was developed is a solid foundation. 6 out of 7 participants noted that the phone and tablet did experience the content falling outside the device margins.
Navigation within the app was intuitive. 4 of 7 participants noted that they would like the following options added: a back button on the chat window for mobile, a search bar for trades and events on all devices, and improved visuals for events as the list of events was overwhelming.
Polishing the Design
Design System
Design System
Initial Mockups
Initial Mockups
Mobile: Version 1
Tablet: Version 1
Desktop: Version 1
High-Fidelity Prototypes: Final Version
High-Fidelity Prototypes: Final Version
Desktop
Desktop
Mobile
Mobile
Finalized Mockups
Finalized Mockups
Desktop
Desktop
Tablet
Tablet
Mobile Phone
Mobile Phone
Future Development
Project Quotes
Project Quotes
User #4, Low-Fidelity Usability Study: “The Trading page is quite clear. I like that most items have a photo and brief description, which makes it easy to scroll through available trades.”
User #1, Low-Fidelity Usability Study: “Sending a message seems intuitive. I'd go to the Messages section and tap on 'New Chat' to start a conversation with another user. I like that there are different tags on the message page as well.”
User #5, High-Fidelity Usability Study: “The homepage gives a welcoming first impression. It has a large image gallery and some of the most recent posts. Which gives me an idea that this app is about community sharing and trading, as well as seeing how active the community is.”
Development Plan
Development Plan
Below are the steps I would take if this was not a speculative project.
I would complete the account and settings page next. While the project is complete for the main goal of the project, these features are priority zero prior to a release.
I would continue refining the accessibility needs. While the base of the app has a strong foundation, I would begin to develop the dark mode and other color filter modes. This would also be a priority zero function to best assist our users. Throughout this process, I would conduct user research and usability studies.
Once the additional accessibility features were established, I would continue to develop the account, settings, and other features for Share Seed that are priority one. These insights would come from the user research in the previous step.
As the usability studies and modifications are completed, I would work with our front-end and back-end development teams to complete the Share Seed project by the end of quarter three in 2025.
Key Takeaways & Insights
Key Takeaways & Insights
The Share Seed project has been an invaluable learning experience in my UX Designer journey. This project's emphasis showed me how critical the role of community-driven design and the power of collaborative platforms is in fostering local connections. Throughout this UX design process, I have gained significant insights into balancing user needs with technical feasibility, particularly when it comes to designing for multiple devices with online and offline functionalities.
The Share Seed project has deepened my understanding of creating intuitive interfaces for diverse user groups, from casual visitors to tech-savvy members and event organizers. As I progressed, my proficiency with Figma, Canva, and Adobe Photoshop grew, allowing me to better visualize and iterate on complex user flows. The experience has reinforced the importance of flexibility in design, especially when addressing the unique challenges of a sharing economy platform.
Moving forward, I am excited to apply these learnings to future projects, with a renewed focus on creating designs that not only meet user needs but also strengthen the bonds between users and the product. This project has solidified my belief in the transformative power of user-centered design to create meaningful, socially impactful solutions.
Share Seed Case Study PDF
Share Seed Case Study PDF
Below is a printable version of this case study along with the resource credits. Please know that the prototypes are not included within the document below.
Share Seed Project Case Study.pdfPage updated
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