Google Course Project
WeCare Fox Conservation Organization
Web Application & Website
OVERVIEW
WeCare is a comprehensive fox conservation platform, combining a website and web application developed as part of the Google UX Course. This dual-purpose platform is designed to inspire users to actively engage in social good initiatives. It offers opportunities for donating and volunteering, encourages interaction and community engagement, provides daily updates on fox-related news, and facilitates reporting of fox sightings to minimize casualties.
Users can also set up alerts and monitor their daily engagement progress seamlessly within the WeCare platform. By offering a fun and personalized experience, WeCare empowers users of both the website and web app to play an active role in improving the world for all species, with a special focus on fox conservation.
ROLE
UX Designer responsible for leading the project from conception to the final product.
THE PROBLEM
People are generally misinformed about foxes, due to their widely known perception of being sly and cunning which results in lack of empathy shown towards them, creating difficulties for these creatures to live in a safe environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Creating the concept for both web application and the website, conducting research to gather understanding and identify stigmas associated with the subject of the project, planning and creating wireframes and prototypes, conducting multiple user research sessions to improve and deliver a robust final product.
April - June 2023
User Research Summary
For this social project, I gathered 6 participants from different age groups. Young adults preferred a mobile-based platform, while older participants leaned towards a website. Interviews and questionnaires revealed surprising negative perceptions about foxes. Many considered them a nuisance, highlighting the need for conservation and awareness initiatives.
This calls for a platform promoting fox-human coexistence. In summary, a comprehensive platform aims to foster empathy and understanding, supporting these creatures and biodiversity initiatives effectively.
User Pain Points
- Lack of reliable information: Users interested in fox conservation may struggle to find reliable and up-to-date information on the status of fox populations, threats to their survival, and effective conservation strategies.
- Limited opportunities for involvement: Some users may feel frustrated by a perceived lack of opportunities to get involved in fox conservation efforts, such as through volunteering or donating to conservation organizations
- Human-wildlife conflict: Human-wildlife conflict: Users living in areas where foxes and humans coexist may experience conflicts, such as foxes raiding garbage cans or preying on livestock, which can lead to negative attitudes toward foxes and resistance to conservation efforts
- Legal restrictions: In some areas, foxes may be protected by law, which can limit the options available for controlling fox populations or mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
- Lack of funding: Conservation efforts often require significant financial resources, and users interested in fox conservation may struggle to find funding for their own conservation projects or to support existing initiatives.
User Personas
After conducting user research, I have identified two key user personas who could benefit from the interactive web application about foxes. However, my primary focus is on the persona comprised of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts who are actively seeking out ways to support and help their favorite animal.
Persona 1: Mark Bozzelli (Web App User)
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Mark Bozzelli, a wildlife enthusiast, needs a mobile app dedicated to foxes because he wants to actively contribute to their conservation, share experiences during nature trips, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Persona 2: Sylvia Portman (Website User)
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Sylvia Portman, an environmental science professor, needs an informative website-based platform dedicated to wildlife because she aims to develop comprehensive educational resources for young people about animals and the ecosystem.
Competitive AUDIT REPORT SUMMARY
My primary reason for conducting this competitive audit is to gain insights into the global conservation landscape by evaluating the approaches, strategies, and successes of WWF, Conservation International, and Defenders of Wildlife.
By understanding their extensive service offerings, impactful initiatives, and wide-scale conservation efforts, I aim to identify opportunities and best practices that can be applied to WeCare's mission of advocating for the welfare of foxes, bringing attention to their often misunderstood plight and effectively addressing their conservation needs.
IDEATION & PAPER WIREFRAMES
Through these ideation techniques, I envisaged a dedicated platform to address the plight of foxes, raising awareness about their declining numbers and empowering a global community to take action for their conservation.
DIGITAL WIREFRAMES & LOW-FI PROTOTYPE
User research conducted among the age group of 30 and above for the WeCare web app identified several key actions. These actions include the importance of maintaining a strong connection with the cause, ensuring mobility, providing clear and prominent CTAs and links, as well as incorporating a search bar for easily finding information about fox species. These insights have led to the creation of an inviting homepage.
WeCare Web App Low-fi Prototype in Figma
Usability study: parameters
Study type:
Unmoderated usability study
Participants:
5 Participants
Location:
USA, remote
Length:
20 - 30 minutes
Usability FINDINGS
The study helped me understand how I can add some features and improve navigation to enhance the user experience.
Sign-Up
Users found the sign-up page's unclear options to be confusing, which led to a frustrating onboarding experience. In fact, 3 users dropped out right at the beginning of the testing.
No-Interactivity/Design Issues
Users raised concerns about design issues related to the bottom navigation bar and emphasized the importance of interacting with other users, highlighting the need for a more intuitive user experience.
Accessibility
One user in particular, with weak eyesight, emphasized the need for accessibility tools such as icons to adjusting vision or screen reader to assist in navigating around the screens.
MOCKUPS
I applied insights gained from the first usability study and then conducted another round of testing to further enhance the experience. This is the final version of the mockups.
Sign Up Screens
Before Usability Study
After Usability Study
Homepage Screens
Before Usability Study
After Usability Study
MOCKUPS
WeCare dedicated mobile application mockups
High-fi Prototype
A detailed high-fidelity prototype of the web app was created, featuring additional screens to enhance navigation. Two rounds of usability studies were conducted, from which numerous insights were gathered and implemented to arrive at this final version.
WeCare Web App High-fi Prototype in Figma
SITEMAP
Taking into consideration the needs of users aged 50 and above, the Information Architecture (IA) was designed with a clear vision in mind – featuring a simple layout with easily accessible links to all screens.
WeCare Website Sitemap
Responsive designs
The WeCare web app and responsive website are optimized to fit various screen sizes, including mobile devices, laptops, and desktops.
WeCare Web App
WeCare Website
TAKEAWAYS
Impact
I chose to highlight this social issue as my latest Google UX project in order to raise awareness about these widely misunderstood creatures. My goal is to foster a more accurate perception and empathy for them among our users, and to encourage them to take initiatives in making the world a better place.
A very neat layout with simple navigation, but not compromising on the content.
- Satisfied User
What I learned
UX skills give you the power and ability to create an entire platform for any cause, while simultaneously educating people about technology and enhancing their understanding of life. This project has deepened my empathy for foxes, as there are numerous untouched issues out there that could be addressed to increase awareness in society as a whole.
NEXT STEPS
Immersive Exploration
I would like to incorporate additional features like virtual reality to provide a more immersive view of the world of foxes and their habitats. Many animal-related web apps already include this feature, and it's quite popular among younger audiences.
Usability Evolution
Iterating it through usability studies conducted in the real world, including consultations with experts, to better educate about foxes, has been instrumental in enhancing the platform's effectiveness and user engagement.
Screen Flexibility
I intend to develop multiple screen size variations to ensure optimal compatibility across a diverse range of devices, catering to as many screen dimensions as technologically feasible.
UI/UX Projects
Google Course Project
WeCare Fox Conservation Organization
Website & Web App
