Savvy Giving by Design
Streamlining the onboarding process for new interior designers in direct partnership with SGBD.
ux research
ui design
prototyping
Project Details
DUrATION
6 months
January 2023 - June 2023
my role, Tools, & Category
My Role
UX/UI Designer
User Researcher
Tools
Figma
FigJam
Adobe Illustrator
Team Members
Daniela
Yunseo
Hilary
Linzy
Category
Pro-Bono Work for
a Non-Profit Org, SGBD
Overview
Design Process
Our first step in the user research process after directly contacting the founder and program director of Savvy Giving by Design, Susan and Megan, included reaching out to current SGBD designers who are currently apart of the pop-up designer program.
Background + User Testing
All designers were based across the east and west coasts in the U.S.
All interviewed designers had been through the complete training process, ranging from new recruits to long-time partners
Interviewed 3 interior designers affiliated with Savvy's pop-up program
After analyzing data from 4 interviews, we organized insights into a Figjam file with 6 categories: logistics, learning preferences, pre and post-training, observations, online education, and miscellaneous aspects.
Main Insights/Discoveries
Designers expressed the need to maintain some form of an in-person experience in online training settings
Felt a bit unsupported upon completing training; want follow-up emails, FAQ forum section, summaries, etc.
Have different learning styles, ranging from visula learners, note-takers, and face-to-face oriented learners
User Persona
After conducting several interviews, we've crafted a user persona representing an interior designer keen on collaborating with Savvy Giving by Design to give back to the community. This persona, being Sally Sofa, embodies a deep-seated passion for utilizing design to make a positive impact. However, despite her enthusiasm, she finds herself frustrated by the incomplete onboarding process that SGBD has to offer. The lack of comprehensive information provided leaves her feeling uncertain about how to proceed with the design process and which resources to utilize. This frustration underscores the importance of streamlining the onboarding experience, ensuring clarity and guidance are readily available to empower designers like her to make meaningful contributions effectively.
SWOT Analysis
The most time-consuming aspect of our project involved identifying a suitable platform for hosting our online training. We conducted a thorough analysis, specifically on understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) relative to our process. From here, we consulted with our stakeholders to outline their specific requirements. Our objective was to identify a solution that aligned with the following criteria:
Cost-effective: Given our nonprofit affiliation, we prioritized options that were either free or offered at a low cost.
Support for diverse learning styles: Our user base expressed a preference for hybrid learning methods, so it was essential to select a platform that accommodated various learning approaches.
Flexibility and user-friendliness: The training platform needed to be intuitive and adaptable for both learners and administrators, particularly as we transitioned ownership to SGBD.
Above is the competitive analysis on Figjam, which compares platforms against our stakeholders' needs. Each team member researched and presented a platform, highlighting pros and cons in areas like cost, course management, and design tools.
Third-Party Selection Process
To facilitate our decision-making process, we utilized Figjam to conduct a competitive analysis, evaluating platforms based on their alignment with stakeholder needs. Each team member researched and presented a platform, highlighting advantages and disadvantages related to cost, course management, design tools, and other pertinent factors.
Upon consolidating our research regarding potential platforms to host the revamped onboarding process while maintaining ongoing communication with the SGBD team, we concluded that moving ahead with Thinkific was the most suitable course of action. Thinkific, a third-party platform, aligns closely with Savvy's specific requirements, making it an ideal choice for our needs.
Thinkific met all our criteria with its free plan, intuitive course layout, user-friendly navigation, and robust customization options. Once approved by SGBD, we proceeded to develop training content on the platform. Our prior research and stakeholder communication helped finalize our user flows and layout.
Brainstorm + Ideation
As previously stated, the resources provided for developing the training comprised several documents and Zoom recordings. Upon thorough examination, we compiled a comprehensive list of content to incorporate. Through extensive deliberation, review, and fine-tuning, we assessed various concepts and devised a structured layout and user flow.
The initial concepts for training content and features were documented on Figjam.
The finalized training layout consists of a pre-training introduction, five primary sections, post-training review, and downloadable resources for trainees. The user flows derived from this layout are illustrated below.
User Flows
Thinkific met all our criteria with its free plan, intuitive course layout, user-friendly navigation, and robust customization options. Once approved by SGBD, we proceeded to develop training content on the platform. Our prior research and stakeholder communication helped finalize our user flows and layout.
Dashboard
Course
Course Intro
Main Training
Recap
Final Designs
Above is the training experience from the user's perspective on Thinkific. Below, you'll find mock-ups, materials, and the style guide crafted by our team, all of which were incorporated into the course.
Preliminary mock-ups of the training introduction.
Infographics
Style Guide
Reflection & Key Takeaways
Impact on Savvy’s Operations
The deliverable streamlines training and administrative tasks for Savvy Pop-Up Designers. This improvement will help Savvy reach more families and transform their living spaces. The project enhances the organization’s ability to serve those in need.
Collaboration & Showcasing Skills
This was my first time working with a team to present our work to stakeholders via Zoom. The positive feedback from DFA’s coordinators and Savvy stakeholders affirmed our success. The recognition validated the effort and professionalism we invested.
Prioritizing the Stakeholder
The project required a deep understanding of interior designers and Savvy's mission. I explored various learning styles and platforms to create a user-friendly solution. This approach allowed me to innovate and produce a functional product.
