Overview
Research
Insights
Brainstorming
UI Design
Reflections
Connectx App
Help is just a click away!
This is a winning National level UX Hack-a-thon project which aims to ease the process of resettlement for refugees and connect them with the right resources
Role
Solo UI/UX Designer
Timeline
2 weeks
Tools
Figma + Miro
Read Time
7 mins
My Role
In this project I was working as a Solo UI/UX Designer.
Overview
The global refugee crisis has displaced millions, leaving them to navigate complex resettlement processes in foreign countries. ConnectX is a mobile platform designed to streamline this journey by offering refugees comprehensive support in legal, medical, and social aspects.
Why is the issue concerning?
27.1 million refugees
In the Year 2021 itself
110.3 million refugees
As of 30th June 2023
20.7M
There were 20.7 million refugees recorded around the world at the end of 2020, but less than one percent of refugees are resettled each year
100M
By May 2022, more than 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide
27.1M
In 2021 itself, there were 27.1 million refugees recorded
Problem
“ How might we help refugees and migrants seek help legally, medically and support in settlement from the comfort of their phones so that they can receive immediate help and attention required ”
Solution- Connectx
ConnectX is a mobile app designed to support refugees by providing online consultations with lawyers, healthcare providers, and social workers, gamified language learning tools, and community engagement features for connecting with local support groups. It also offers navigation to nearby amenities with offline support and includes secure digital document storage for easy organization of important files.
Design Impact
I tested our final prototype with 15 potential users (refugees in resettlement programs) to evaluate the potential impact of ConnectX on their resettlement experience.
80%
Showed High Interest
70%
Anticipated Reduced Anxiety
50%
Faster Access Expected
85%
Found Language Learning Feature Valuable
Research
The global refugee crisis has forced millions to leave their homes, often arriving in foreign countries with limited support.
The lack of a unified solution makes it difficult for them to access crucial resources for resettlement, leading to prolonged distress and integration challenges.
The lack of a unified solution makes it difficult for them to access crucial resources for resettlement, leading to prolonged distress and integration challenges.
It was integral for the project to conduct user interviews because it provides direct insights into the lived experiences of the refugees which cannot be fully captured through secondary data or assumptions.
The user interviews and secondary research conducted helped gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape, offered valuable insight on emotional, cultural and logistical hurdles being faced by the people. By listening to their stories and experiences, we can tailor our solutions and redirect our vision to meet their specific needs.
These interviews allowed us to ensure that the interventions were practical, empathetic as well as impactful for the resettlement process.
User Interviews
Understanding User Needs
It was integral for the project to conduct user interviews because it provides direct insights into the lived experiences of the refugees which cannot be fully captured through secondary data or assumptions.
70%
felt lost in bureaucratic systems
5/6
faced anxiety and isolation in the first 6 months and a disconnect from the community
2/6
used apps or websites that they found to be genuinely helpful
3/6
had little understanding of their legal rights
Secondary Research
What the Internet has to say...
I also conducted extensive secondary research and collected data. This included going through third party interviews, etc online. Through this meticulous research I received a lot of relevant key points to work with for the application.
Refugees face significant challenges in navigating legal and social services due to complicated processes and language barriers.
Social integration with local communities is key to improve emotional well-being and aids in smoother transitions during resettlement.
Refugees struggle to find stable jobs due to language barriers and credential recognition issues, delaying financial independence.
Low digital literacy and poorly designed online platforms limit refugees' ability to access vital information and resources effectively.
Affinity Map
Unveiling Patterns from Insights
Using Affinity Mapping I developed key insights which includes social exclusion, cultural adaptation, access to healthcare, documentation, community reintegration, housing, lack of healthcare, citizenship and legal status. These insights helped us to work on key features and narrow down our focus.
Resettlement
Local Integration
Repatriation
Competitor Analysis
Navigating the Competition
Insights I gathered after conducting a Competitive Analysis
- Significant gap in online consultation across most of these organizations
- Offline Support is Scarce
- Lack of Emphasis on Community Building and Future-Oriented Services
- Comprehensive, holistic solutions gain more importance in social services
User Persona
Who are we Designing For?
Empathy Map
Stepping into their Shoes
I created an empathy map to deeply understand the emotions, behaviors, challenges, and needs of the refugees. After creating a persona I wanted to humanize the data and empathy map helps identify the pain points and opportunities.
User Storyboard
Visualizing the Journey
Brainstorming
Ideation Session
The brainstorming session was conducted with the purpose of exploring all areas wherein we make a difference in the users' life. I generated multiple effective solutions to address the challenge. The aim of this session was to come up with wild ideas which would solve the problem and then minimize it to the rational idea which can be implemented
Features
What makes the app so special?
Online medical, law and social assistance
Navigation through the city as well as to community meetups, etc.
Learn the language through our gamified custom section
Learn about skills for job market as well as receive assistance in housing
All features are supported offline
Information Architecture
Structuring Content
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Mapping the Design
Key Screens
Visualizing the Final Design
Onboarding
During the onboarding the app allows the user to choose their language. This multilingual feature allows users from all over the globe to use the app with ease.
Home
The home page has multiple features which the users can access. It caters to the users needs and also shows them of any upcoming events.
Documents
The users can scan and upload their documents to save them digitally in the app. They can even organize their documents in a folder structure. This allows users to customize it as well as
Connect with Organizations
The app shows the users nearby organizations and amenities like hospital, grocery stores, etc.
It even directs the user to the location on the maps which are available to be downloaded offline
It even directs the user to the location on the maps which are available to be downloaded offline
Online Consultations & AI translation
The app translates conversations for the users to engage in better conversations. Also, it allows users to book online consultation with the necessary help
PREVIOUS
NEXT
