Changing how the populous engages civically

Problem Statement

In today's complex political landscape, the rise of disinformation and non-transparency has created a pressing need for reliable sources of information, increased transparency, and enhanced political education to address declining voter confidence and participation.

Objectives & Goals

Objectives & Goals

Ensure the availability of reliable sources of information and promote transparency to combat disinformation and bolster voter confidence and participation in the dynamic political landscape.

Ensure the availability of reliable sources of information and promote transparency to combat disinformation and bolster voter confidence and participation in the dynamic political landscape.

Enhance political education programs and initiatives to improve civic engagement and empower individuals with limited political knowledge to actively participate in the political process.

Enhance political education programs and initiatives to improve civic engagement and empower individuals with limited political knowledge to actively participate in the political process.

Implement measures to simplify voter registration processes, increase accessibility to polling stations, and foster a culture of increased voter turnout and engagement.

Implement measures to simplify voter registration processes, increase accessibility to polling stations, and foster a culture of increased voter turnout and engagement.

Foster an environment of accountability by promoting transparency in campaign financing, lobbying, and decision-making processes to counter disinformation and promote trust in the political system.

Foster an environment of accountability by promoting transparency in campaign financing, lobbying, and decision-making processes to counter disinformation and promote trust in the political system.

DISCOVER

DISCOVER

Understand user needs, conduct interviews, surveys, and analyze data to gain deep insights into user behavior, preferences, and context, setting a foundation for informed design decisions and problem-solving.

Objectives & Goals

Secondary Research

Ensure the availability of reliable sources of information and promote transparency to combat disinformation and bolster voter confidence and participation in the dynamic political landscape.

Enhance political education programs and initiatives to improve civic engagement and empower individuals with limited political knowledge to actively participate in the political process.

Implement measures to simplify voter registration processes, increase accessibility to polling stations, and foster a culture of increased voter turnout and engagement.

Foster an environment of accountability by promoting transparency in campaign financing, lobbying, and decision-making processes to counter disinformation and promote trust in the political system.

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

The findings and recommendations presented in this case study are intended to provide valuable insights and guidance for improving the user experience of Voter Atlas, ultimately contributing to the goal of promoting citizen engagement and strengthening democratic processes.

The findings and recommendations presented in this case study are intended to provide valuable insights and guidance for improving the user experience of Voter Atlas, ultimately contributing to the goal of promoting citizen engagement and strengthening democratic processes.

Secondary Research

Secondary Research

The findings and recommendations presented in this case study are intended to provide valuable insights and guidance for improving the user experience of Voter Atlas, ultimately contributing to the goal of promoting citizen engagement and strengthening democratic processes.

Key Findings

Key Findings

Key Findings

Emerging voters are individuals who are eligible to vote but have not yet established a consistent voting pattern, often characterized by being younger, more diverse, and holding different views on issues compared to the traditional electorate.

Emerging voters are individuals who are eligible to vote but have not yet established a consistent voting pattern, often characterized by being younger, more diverse, and holding different views on issues compared to the traditional electorate.

Emerging voters are individuals who are eligible to vote but have not yet established a consistent voting pattern, often characterized by being younger, more diverse, and holding different views on issues compared to the traditional electorate.

The percentage of eligible voters aged 18-29 who voted in the 2020 Presidential election increased by 8 percentage points from the 2016 Presidential election, with an estimated 52% turnout among this age group.

The percentage of eligible voters aged 18-29 who voted in the 2020 Presidential election increased by 8 percentage points from the 2016 Presidential election, with an estimated 52% turnout among this age group.

The percentage of eligible voters aged 18-29 who voted in the 2020 Presidential election increased by 8 percentage points from the 2016 Presidential election, with an estimated 52% turnout among this age group.

Younger voters are more likely to identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, with 61% of voters aged 18-34 identifying as Democrats or leaning Democratic in 2020.

Younger voters are more likely to identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, with 61% of voters aged 18-34 identifying as Democrats or leaning Democratic in 2020.

Younger voters are more likely to identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, with 61% of voters aged 18-34 identifying as Democrats or leaning Democratic in 2020.

Emerging voters encompass a diverse range of backgrounds, and political views and party identification can vary significantly based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Emerging voters encompass a diverse range of backgrounds, and political views and party identification can vary significantly based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Emerging voters encompass a diverse range of backgrounds, and political views and party identification can vary significantly based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Quantitative Research: Survey

Quantitative Research: Survey

Quantitative Research: Survey

Surveys are a quantitative research method used to gather data from a large number of users. Surveys can be used to collect data on users' demographics, behaviors, and attitudes, as well as to gather feedback on specific features or design concepts.

Surveys are a quantitative research method used to gather data from a large number of users. Surveys can be used to collect data on users' demographics, behaviors, and attitudes, as well as to gather feedback on specific features or design concepts.

Observations

Observations

Observations

50%

Felt that their votes didn’t make a large enough difference

Felt that their votes didn’t make a large enough difference

Felt that their votes didn’t make a large enough difference

80%

Of respondents felts if given tools they would become more civically active

Of respondents felts if given tools they would become more civically active

Of respondents felts if given tools they would become more civically active

80%

30%

Have made an active attempt to correspond with their elected official

Have made an active attempt to correspond with their elected official

Have made an active attempt to correspond with their elected official

60%

Get their general civic and political news from social media, due to the lack of pay walls

Get their general civic and political news from social media, due to the lack of pay walls

Get their general civic and political news from social media, due to the lack of pay walls

60%

Would be inclined to vote outside of major elections if given the information

Would be inclined to vote outside of major elections if given the information

Would be inclined to vote outside of major elections if given the information

Qualitative Research: User Interviews

Qualitative Research: User Interviews

Qualitative Research: User Interviews

The qualitative data was gathered by conducting one-on-one interviews with users via Zoom (9) user interviews lasting between 30 minutes to 1 hour conducted to gain a better understanding of the motivations, hurdles, and behavior towards becoming civically engaged. The insights derived from the interviews revealed that while users are interested in becoming more politically engaged, they often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and disinformation in the media. This highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for a reliable source of information for voters. Additionally, the interviews showed that voter apathy remains a significant barrier to participation, particularly among younger generations.

The qualitative data was gathered by conducting one-on-one interviews with users via Zoom (9) user interviews lasting between 30 minutes to 1 hour conducted to gain a better understanding of the motivations, hurdles, and behavior towards becoming civically engaged. The insights derived from the interviews revealed that while users are interested in becoming more politically engaged, they often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and disinformation in the media. This highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for a reliable source of information for voters. Additionally, the interviews showed that voter apathy remains a significant barrier to participation, particularly among younger generations.

The qualitative data was gathered by conducting one-on-one interviews with users via Zoom (9) user interviews lasting between 30 minutes to 1 hour conducted to gain a better understanding of the motivations, hurdles, and behavior towards becoming civically engaged. The insights derived from the interviews revealed that while users are interested in becoming more politically engaged, they often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and disinformation in the media. This highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for a reliable source of information for voters. Additionally, the interviews showed that voter apathy remains a significant barrier to participation, particularly among younger generations.

DEFINE

By leveraging personas and empathy maps, you can align design decisions with user goals, effectively tailor experiences, and address pain points, resulting in more intuitive and meaningful interactions. These tools serve as a foundation for user-centered design throughout the UX process.

Empathy Mapping

Empathy Mapping

Understanding the mindset and motivations of different voter segments is crucial for designing effective user experiences. When considering active and inactive voters, empathy maps help us delve into their distinct perspectives, influencing their engagement with the political process.

Understanding the mindset and motivations of different voter segments is crucial for designing effective user experiences. When considering active and inactive voters, empathy maps help us delve into their distinct perspectives, influencing their engagement with the political process.

User Personas

User Personas

Developing personas helps us create detailed representations of different voter segments, enabling us to understand their unique characteristics, behaviors, and motivations. By focusing on the persona of an active versus inactive voter, we can tailor our strategies to effectively engage with each group.

Developing personas helps us create detailed representations of different voter segments, enabling us to understand their unique characteristics, behaviors, and motivations. By focusing on the persona of an active versus inactive voter, we can tailor our strategies to effectively engage with each group.

ENLARGE

Priority Matrix

This matrix will serve as a visual representation of the team's collective assessment, allowing for clear prioritization of tasks based on their importance and feasibility. By using this framework, the team can make informed decisions and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that efforts are concentrated on initiatives that have the greatest potential to drive user engagement, satisfaction, and overall success of the voter engagement app.

This matrix will serve as a visual representation of the team's collective assessment, allowing for clear prioritization of tasks based on their importance and feasibility. By using this framework, the team can make informed decisions and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that efforts are concentrated on initiatives that have the greatest potential to drive user engagement, satisfaction, and overall success of the voter engagement app.

ENLARGE

How Might We?

How Might We?

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

In designing the information architecture for this voter engagement app, it is essential to consider the diverse perspectives, issues, and demographic characteristics of emerging voters to ensure that the app effectively caters to their specific needs and encourages their active participation in the political process.

In designing the information architecture for this voter engagement app, it is essential to consider the diverse perspectives, issues, and demographic characteristics of emerging voters to ensure that the app effectively caters to their specific needs and encourages their active participation in the political process.

User Flow Charts

User Flow Charts

User flow charts are key in UX design as they visually map out user journeys, identify bottlenecks, and guide optimization efforts for a seamless user experience.

User flow charts are key in UX design as they visually map out user journeys, identify bottlenecks, and guide optimization efforts for a seamless user experience.

Onboarding


Onboarding


Finding Polling Location

Finding Polling Location

DESIGN

The design section of this UX case study showcases the creation of a voter engagement app. It includes wireframes, interactive prototypes, visual designs, and a design rationale, illustrating the process of crafting an intuitive and visually appealing user interface that drives voter engagement.

Initial Sketches

Sketching major sections is a crucial step in the design process, allowing for the exploration and ideation of different layout and content arrangements. By sketching major sections, designers can quickly visualize and iterate on the structure and flow of the voter engagement app, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive user experience.

Lo-Res Mock Up Designs

Lo-res mock-ups play a vital role in the design process by providing a preliminary visual representation of the product, allowing designers to test and iterate on concepts, gather feedback, and align stakeholders before investing resources in high-fidelity design and development.

Hi-Res Mock Ups

Hi-Res Mock Ups

Hi-res mock-ups are an essential part of the design process as they showcase the detailed visual and interactive aspects of the product, enabling designers to refine aesthetics, validate design decisions, and present a realistic representation of the final user experience to stakeholders and developers.

Hi-res mock-ups are an essential part of the design process as they showcase the detailed visual and interactive aspects of the product, enabling designers to refine aesthetics, validate design decisions, and present a realistic representation of the final user experience to stakeholders and developers.

Hi-res mock-ups are an essential part of the design process as they showcase the detailed visual and interactive aspects of the product, enabling designers to refine aesthetics, validate design decisions, and present a realistic representation of the final user experience to stakeholders and developers.

EVALUATE

EVALUATE

Evaluating UX in usability testing is crucial to identify issues, gather feedback, and improve the user experience, ultimately ensuring a user-centric design that meets user needs and expectations.

Usability Testing:Round 1

Usability Testing:Round 1

User interviews for UX research typically last 30-60 minutes. Strive for a balance between gathering enough insights and respecting the interviewee's time. Prioritize in-depth questions and active listening. Gauge engagement and non-verbal cues. For survey questions to gather user insights, you can refer to this link: CLICK

User interviews for UX research typically last 30-60 minutes. Strive for a balance between gathering enough insights and respecting the interviewee's time. Prioritize in-depth questions and active listening. Gauge engagement and non-verbal cues. For survey questions to gather user insights, you can refer to this link: CLICK

User interviews for UX research typically last 30-60 minutes. Strive for a balance between gathering enough insights and respecting the interviewee's time. Prioritize in-depth questions and active listening. Gauge engagement and non-verbal cues. For survey questions to gather user insights, you can refer to this link

Tasks

Find your local official

Find your local official

Find your closest voting location

Find your closest voting location

Find local news relating to your area

Find local news relating to your area

Find alternate voting methods

Find alternate voting methods

Scenario Task

You’re looking for who as just appointed interim Attorney General of Texas

You’re looking for who as just appointed interim Attorney General of Texas

User is attempting to locations early voting locations in their area

User is attempting to locations early voting locations in their area

User is attempting to stay in the loop on local civic news

User is attempting to stay in the loop on local civic news

User realizes they will be gone during the voting period and is searching for ways to cast absentee ballots

User realizes they will be gone during the voting period and is searching for ways to cast absentee ballots

Check Out The First Prototype Here!

Check Out The First Prototype Here!

Check Out The First Prototype Here!

Usability Round 1: Conclusion

The first round of usability testing revealed several key insights regarding the user experience of the voter application. Participants encountered usability issues related to inconography, difficulties accessing links to government officials, and a desire for improvements to the dark mode feature. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing visual clarity, improving link visibility, and considering user preferences for dark mode. The identified issues will be addressed in subsequent iterations of the application to ensure a more user-friendly and inclusive design

REFINE

Evaluating UX in usability testing is crucial to identify issues, gather feedback, and improve the user experience, ultimately ensuring a user-centric design that meets user needs and expectations.

Usability Test Round 2

Usability Test Round 2

his round validates design changes, addresses remaining usability issues, and focuses on participants' feedback regarding the requested dark mode feature. Insights will refine the user experience, ensuring an accessible and visually appealing application for all voters

This round validates design changes, addresses remaining usability issues, and focuses on participants' feedback regarding the requested dark mode feature. Insights will refine the user experience, ensuring an accessible and visually appealing application for all voters

Check Out The Final Prototype Here!

Conclusion

Based on the last round of prototype testing, significant progress was made in addressing the initial issues. Valuable insights were gained, particularly in understanding the impact of the rapidly evolving political landscape. These findings will guide the direction of future iterations, ensuring the voter application remains responsive and adaptable to the dynamic nature of politics.