Social Impact Case Study
As part of the Google Tech Exchange program, we were tasked to solve an issue existing in the community. Using the 5-step design process, my group and I decided to solve the issue of homelessness.
In our research, we found that the first step in combatting homelessness and gaining sustainability is finding housing. We developed Helping Hands as an interface for those displaced to find affordable housing options in their selective areas. It acts as a virtual case manager and matches people with choices that fit their needs. This solution is more feasible and accessible than the current process of finding housing through homeless shelters and helps navigate our post-COVID-19 environment easily.
This is the Helping Hands logo, designed by me.
The Process
Research
User Interviews
My team and I conducted User Interviews with management at homeless shelters around our college campuses to better understand the issue. I interviewed the Manager at Greensboro Urban Ministry in Greensboro, NC, and came up with these questions to ask during the interview:
What is the demographic of the homeless population in Greensboro?
What is their background? Did most people use to have a job or a house? Or have most been homeless all of their lives?
How many of the homeless that you serve have mental illnesses?
What did you find to be their biggest need at the shelter?
How do you all help them find housing?
What is the process to find housing?
What is the process to find housing?
What is the most difficult part about combatting homelessness?
What do you think is the best solution to combat homelessness in Greensboro, and what can our community do to help?
This interview helped me to formulate a User Story for Anthony (see in the slideshow)
The Design
The First Prototype
This is the first prototype that I developed for the web interface of Helping Hands. It includes the questionnaire that is launched before reaching the homepage.
I was experimenting with colors for the site and thought that green would be a good choice because it evokes a feeling of abundance and is associated with refreshment and peace, rest and security. Since the service is for displaced individuals who are looking for homes to address their homelessness.
On the Helping Hands homepage, it was important that there was a display of houses and listings available. Another important element was to have a virtual chatting agent.
The Final Prototype
In the final prototype, I changed the layout of the interface to a mobile layout so that it would be easier to see each function of the application.
I was inspired by Airbnb in this design since Helping Hands and Airbnb have similar functionalities. This is a fully developed wireframe that includes the following elements:
Homepage
Profile Settings
Listing Map
House Matching & Applications
Listing Details
Contact Host & Messages
Virtual Chatting Agent
The Presentation
After completing the mock-up wireframe for Helping Hands, my teammates and I delivered a video presentation to compete in the CMD-IT Competition. We were recognized as 'Honorable Mention'.
To learn more about the competition, click below.