|| uxui ||
SPACES
DESIGN FOR INTERACTION
SPRING 2020
For this project, initially a group assignment, our professor tasked us with creating a website or mobile app that addresses the high suicide rates in the LGBT community. I have since used the research we did together as a team and created my own solution to the problem statement.
|| introduction ||
FIND
YOUR
SPACE
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10-24, and LGBT youth are almost five times more likely to have attempted suicide compared in their life than their heterosexual counterparts. Many LGBT people feel isolated, and we created SPACES to combat the feeling that many LGBT youths experience and provide a safe community for disenfranchised youth outside and within the app. We offer LGBTQ+ young adults the opportunity to find like-minded people in their area and beyond. As well as connect LGBT youth with local businesses that provide a safe environment for them.
|| the app ||
||||| process |||||
|| initial research & test plan ||
PROJECT GOALS
to help LGBT youth find safe spaces around Louisville
to help LGBT youth connect with other people in the community
to encourage LGBT youth to be themselves and find comfort in actively participating in the community
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
create questions to learn more about what LGBT youth go through on a daily basis
figure out what features LGBT youth would want in an app to navigate a space or city that may not always feel accepted in
KNOWN RESEARCH CONSTRAINTS
part of our target audience are LGBT people who are not out of the closet and may not want to be interviewed
sexuality can be a sensitive topic
people in the LGBT community come from different places and not everyone has had the same experiences
RESEARCH APPROACH / METHODS
user interview sessions with LGBT people of different backgrounds about their wants and needs
reference studies on LGBT acceptance such as how many people are kicked out of homes, depression, and feelings of isolation
our app wishes to be an asset to a community that frequently experiences feelings of isolation, discrimination, and fear of being themselves by providing them resources
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
is there a need for this app?
is there anything like this already on the market?
what percentage of LGBT youth struggle with mental health issues related to feeling isolated?
what percentage of LGBT people experience violence based on their orientation(s)?]
how do we protect privacy?
how do we gather a sense of trust for the users?
|| interview ||
“It’s often frustrating feeling like you can’t be yourself freely in spaces. You have to be downlow about being queer—it feels nerve-wracking wearing makeup on a bus.”
TRAVIS S.
“When I was coming out, there wasn’t a lot of resources I knew about/made available to me. An app like this definitely would have been helpful.”
MARINA R.
|| original sitemap ||
|| wireframe sketches ||
|| initial wireframes ||
|| user testing takeaways ||
1
app seems more trustworthy/legitimate due to user-generated reviews and community
2
some buttons were confusing
3
got stuck navigating community pages
|| app pages ||
||||| personas |||||
|| persona one ||
ADVANTAGEOUS ADAM | ♊︎ | 30
Adam is a fun guy who loves to surround himself with good energy. His mood is generally a direct reflection of his environment. If there are bad vibes, well then "Girl, bye!" Adam also likes to be prepared and wants to know what he's getting himself into before it kills his mood. His mantra is, "Your energy is currency. Spend it well and invest it wisely."
LIKES:
positivity, light ice, & Dolly Parton
DISLIKES:
his 9to5, slow walkers, silver
ADVANTAGEOUS ADAM
“The guy that worked at Texas Roadhouse looked like he had never seen a sequined leotard before. We need to go somewhere with good vibes.”
|| user reviewed ||
REVIEWED for and by PEOPLE LIKE YOU
|| persona two ||
RESERVED ROZ | ♓︎ | 18
Roz is pretty private. She isn't out to her family and would like to keep it that way. Roz has known for a while now that she likes girls but feels disconnected from the LGBT community. She often feels like you have to be out and proud to be welcomed into the community. She wants to talk to other girls anonymously before coming out to her close friends.
LIKES:
photography, her friends, & the Sims
DISLIKES:
movies based on books, over-exposure & Sundays
RESERVED ROZ
“The only way to talk to other lesbians is to download a dating app. One, I don’t want to date. Two, I don’t want my name and photo on an app for lesbians.”
