Gentrifeye
Preserving local heritage by documenting cultural narratives and resisting displacement.
non-profit
ux research
ux design
Non-Profit & Project Overview
Problem
Gentrification uproots communities by displacing residents, erasing cultural heritage, and fracturing support networks. In City Heights, San Diego—a diverse and culturally rich neighborhood—rapid development threatens to displace vulnerable populations and erode its unique identity. Residents have shared firsthand accounts of cultural loss, highlighting the profound impact on their community.
How might we design a platform that amplifies residents' voices, strengthens community advocacy, and safeguards cultural identity against the impacts of gentrification and development?
Solution
City Heights residents strive to preserve cultural diversity amid displacement concerns. Gentrifeye empowers them to advocate for change, share stories, and support local businesses, safeguarding the community’s identity.
preview of final mobile Screens
User Surveying & Initial Interviews
I began my research with surveys and preliminary interviews, using a carefully designed questionnaire to uncover the deeper challenges of gentrification. By blending open-ended and structured questions, I gathered firsthand stories while identifying broader community impacts, from housing instability to rising costs.
User Persona
To represent my stakeholders clearly, I created a persona based on residents I interviewed and surveyed, primarily between 18 and 32. Serving as a valuable reference point, the persona helped keep me aligned with users' needs and goals throughout the project, ensuring design decisions stayed focused and impactful.
Lo-Fi Prototyping
After exploring design platforms like Dribbble and Pinterest, where I drew inspiration from modern design trends, I focused on intuitive elements, proven systems, and effective visual hierarchies. I connected these insights to the minimalistic layouts of platforms like Instagram and Twitter/X, aiming to create a design that aligns with these successful styles while maintaining a unique identity.
Incorporating feedback from user research, I focused on features that addressed the frustrations and goals of our target audience. Acknowledging their concerns about forced relocation and the loss of community ties, I conceptualized actionable prompts to empower users in their efforts to combat the cycle of displacement caused by development.
To ensure the design was grounded in real user needs, I directly engaged with residents who expressed interest in collaboration during initial interviews and surveys. This helped uncover meaningful solutions, narrowing down four key pages and functionalities that addressed both current frustrations and long-term aspirations.
Style Guide
To maintain consistency with AOY's established branding, including core visual assets, fonts, and color schemes, I adhered to their existing style guide throughout the design process. This decision was made to ensure the platform aligned with AOY's identity and could be easily handed off as a lasting resource for the community after the cohort ended. My goal from the start was to create a platform that would remain relevant and serve as a central reference for community members long after the project’s completion.
