QUEERIES
JUDGMENT-FREE BUSINESS LISTING
2017
Contributions
Team Lead
UX research
Prototyping
Interaction design
Usability testing
Tools Used
Problem
How might a system help LGBTQ community have access to judgment-free services?
Queeries is a mobile app, primarily to help LGBTQ community find LGBTQ-friendly services. We were asked to research on LGBTQ rights and help the community with a technology-based solution to one of their problems. We used design thinking and human-centered design process to explore the need of the community and offer a solution. In this app, users can find, rate, and review services based on how queer-friendly they are and, where applicable (like health sector), how knowledgeable they are on queer-issues. The ultimate goal of the app is to raise awareness on LGBTQ issues and build a judgment-free friendly environment for all.
It was a 9-week long academic project executed by a team of 3 students as a part of Human-centered Interactive Design course at SCAD.
Process overview
Need Finding
First, we started with need finding. We did mind mapping, secondary research, literature and media review, and conducted interviews to understand the need of the LGBTQ community and empathize with them.
Research
In the research phase, we conducted interviews, surveys, and competitive research. Some of the questions we asked in the interviews and survey were:
- What are the age groups?
- Are they a part of the LGBTQ community?
- Have they ever needed/preferred an LGBTQ friendly service?
- Define the service desired
- How did they find out about the service?
- Why did they prefer the service? – Were they satisfied with the service?
- How would they describe an LGBTQ friendly service?
LGBTQ-friendly means they will respect LGBTQ people and they won't humiliate LGBTQ people for their sexuality. And everyone should be equal. Nobody should be discriminated.
SYNTHESIS
First, we started with need finding. We did mind mapping, secondary research, literature and media review, and conducted interviews to understand the need of the LGBTQ community and empathize with them.
Framing
In this phase, the team started with developing personas based on the research done. In a step-by-step process, the team came up with scenarios and contextual scenarios for each of the personas and derived their goals. That lead the team to figure out the functional needs and the functional elements for the proposed solution.
Personas
IDEATION
After the framework is set to the place, the team started to brainstorm to define the user flow, information architecture and UI layouts.
VISUALIZATION
Some of the wireframes of the app
High fidelity mockup
Prototype
The team made multiple prototypes throughout the design process. From paper prototype to mid fidelity to high fidelity prototype, we did them all and tested with the users and incorporated the feedback and results gathered from them.
EvalUation
Throughout the design process the team conducted usability testing in different phases and iterated the design as needed.
After last usability testing, the team compared the usability feedback against a close competitor Yelp to evaluate how our design and ideas worked against an established product in the market.
