Challenge: To identify, research, design and test a UX solution to a significant social problem space for a team project at HCDE University of Washington.
Our Design Question: How might we improve communication to increase voter turnout among Millennials (ages 18-34) in local and state elections?
RESEARCH METHODS
Survey
74 respondents between ages 18 and 34 across the United States
Semi-structured interviews
with 8 individuals with varying voter behaviors
Secondary research
Competitive analysis
“The national elections feel more important, but local (issues) are really more important; because they have more impact on our day to day life.” (P2)
"The media often labels millennials as selfish. But studies show a generation focused on family, community and helping others.” Jorgenson, K. [2016, September 28] - The Guardian
Circle (n.d.) states that only weeks before the 2016 election, roughly 30% of young voters had been consulted by a party or campaign affiliate.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Transparent
We provide information that represents different perspectives and verified sources of information.
Easy to understand
We strive to give clarity and ease of understanding of complex concepts and ideas.
Collective
Our design builds community amongst voters. We strive for human connections between people.
Engaging
We create fun and compelling experiences. We make it easy and desirable to be a part of the voting process.
Convenient
We fit into your routine, and we don’t make you conform to ours. We understand that people have busy schedules and limited time.
USABILITY TESTING
We developed lo-fi prototypes for an app and interactive billboard that utilize AR and a social networking platform to create “local” awareness and connectivity.
Using an app prototype we conducted usability tests with 6 users within our primary target, millennial voters, for overall proof of concept and navigation flow.
In addition to the app, we concept tested interactive billboards that would be placed around the city to spark attention about local issues, help create the feeling of community and awareness for our app.
USABILITY TESTING RESULTS
What Went Well
• Participants understood the concept and objective of the application
• All participants said they would be interested in interacting with the Civic Stickies application
• The aesthetic of the home page invited deeper exploration
Opportunities for Improvement
• Focus on use cases prior to prototyping
• Axure learning curve
• Billboard development as a factor of time and scope
A COUPLE OF OUR MANY ITERATIONS
• On the left—learning from our user findings we worked through ideas to show candidates and their opinions so that they’d have more accountability and to create a direct feedback loop with our users.
• On the right—an example of how our home screen developed over time from more of an issue index to an immersive AR screen
OUR DESIGN SOLUTION
OUR MAIN PERSONA
This is Olivia. She is in the early stages of her career, and has a busy work and social life. She finds voting dry and cumbersome. But, when there are issues that are important to her like affordable housing and transportation, she finds herself wanting to get more involved.
OLIVIA INTERACTING WITH CIVIC STICKIES
One day Olivia was on her way to work in downtown Seattle, when she noticed a Billboard with an animated map of her city. Intrigued by the Billboard, she stopped and started exploring the map. She explored issues around the city, addressing different political and environmental topics.
Olivia notices that the Billboard is connected to an application called Civic Stickies and decided to download the app
Civic Stickies App demo
EAT, THINK, DESIGN, REPEAT TEAM
Bermet Jamankulova: Project Manager
Dinah Coops: Designer, User Research Assistant
Hayley Bierbaum: User Researcher
Stefanie Funtsch: Designer, User Research Assistant
APPENDIX
Link to Azure prototype: https://6ibwjo.axshare.com
