INNOVATE
INNOVATE
ROLE
UX/UI Designer
Project Lead
TEAM
Rumi Jassar
(solo)
DURATION
October 2024
(3 mo. total)
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mentor
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01. OVERVIEW
The Innovate app addresses key challenges in the tech community, focusing on improving collaboration, communication, and networking for designers and tech enthusiasts. By employing a user-centric design approach, the app simplifies project building and integrates social media elements to enhance teamwork connections. Insights from literature reviews, interviews, and user testing highlight the potential for a centralised platform that streamlines processes and enhances communication. With a strong emphasis on user-friendliness, Innovate empowers users to manage tasks effectively, ultimately benefiting the tech community as development continues.
02. CHALLENGE
In the fast-paced tech industry, remote work often leads to communication breakdowns and suppressed creativity. Traditional project management tools can feel unwieldy, leading to information overload and hindering project outcomes. Younger professionals may also feel excluded by formal communication styles. Inspired by the need for a platform that cultivates relaxed yet effective collaboration, "Innovate" was created.
03. RESULT
"Innovate" offers a dynamic communication platform that merges social media elements with project management, creating an inclusive environment where users can showcase their creativity, attend tech events, and connect with mentors. User feedback from testing has been overwhelmingly positive, with 92% of testers reporting they anticipate improved collaboration and a stronger sense of community.
THE CHALLENGE
The question guiding the development of "Innovate" was:
How can the Innovate app facilitate easier and more effective networking for the newer generation of tech enthusiasts, designers, developers, and innovators, ensuring that it meets their unique needs and preferences in a rapidly evolving digital landscape?
Current professional networking platforms often fall short by:
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Being overly formal and intimidating.
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Lacking features that cater to the specific needs of creative and tech-focused individuals.
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Failing to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-changing digital environment.
felt that current networking platforms didn't cater to their specific needs.
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
To understand the networking challenges and preferences of our target audience, we engaged directly with tech enthusiasts, designers, developers, and innovators:
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Interviews: We conducted 20 in-depth conversations to uncover their personal experiences and frustrations with existing networking tools:
- "I find it hard to connect with people at large events. An app that helps break the ice and find common interests would be amazing." - Interview Participant
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Surveys: An online survey with 100 participants reinforced these insights:
expressed a desire for a more informal and engaging networking experience.
IDEATION & DESIGN
User insights directly informed Innovate's core features:
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Interest-Based Matching: Connects users based on shared interests, skills, and project goals, making it easier to find relevant collaborators and mentors.
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Project Showcase: A dedicated space for users to display their work, get feedback, and attract potential collaborators.
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Event Discovery: A curated list of local and online events, workshops, and hackathons tailored to the interests of the Innovate community.
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Skill-Sharing Forums: Dedicated forums where users can ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from each other.
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Informal Chat & Collaboration Spaces: Creating relaxed environments that encourage open communication, collaboration, and the organic formation of connections.
Initially, the design included extensive profile customisation options. However, feedback indicated that users valued simplicity and ease of use. Therefore, we streamlined the onboarding process and prioritised essential features to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience.
found the social media concept of connecting and communicating highly valuable.
PROTOYPING & TESTING
Prototyping & Testing
I built a high-fidelity interactive prototype in Figma and tested it with 10 users over 2 weeks. Results were insightful:
One tester shared:
"The project showcase made it so much easier to find potential collaborators—I immediately felt connected and involved within the tech community." — User Tester
Each round of feedback informed design iterations, resulting in a more intuitive and engaging experience.
preferred Innovate for finding project collaborators over other platforms.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Innovate is set to redefine team collaboration by prioritising adaptability and user-centric design.
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AI-Driven Matching: Connect individuals with similar skills and interests, fostering diverse and high-performing teams.
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Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with leading tech companies to offer exclusive opportunities and mentorship programs, promoting career growth and skill development.
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Educational Resources: Access training modules, ensuring users stay ahead of industry trends and continuously enhance their expertise.
By prioritising personalisation and continuous learning, Innovate will empower users to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape.