Designing a product to help immigrants find the resources they need in the U.S.
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Scope of Work
Create a digital product for recent immigrants that connects them to essential resources and includes a messaging service for communication with buddies.
As a Product Design Consultant for Immigrant Buddies, a startup focused on assisting recent immigrants in acclimating to American culture and society, I contributed to the design of a product that connects users with essential resources for successful adjustment and integration into the U.S.
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Problems Encountered
We initially were designing a product that was targeting ESL users in English.
Initially, our design team was designing Immigrant Buddies using extremely nuanced language regarding immigration. The differences between immigrants, asylum seekers, temporary visas and green-card holders alone is very complicated.
Initially, using complicated language and unique system architecture overcomplicated a tool intending to be helpful.
Language Barrier
Similar Products
Social Networking
Users sought a straightforward way to quickly access the information they needed and message potential sources of assistance.
One of the major negative marks on existing government assistance sites was they were difficult to navigate, with a majority of users struggling to find the key data they were looking for on federally funded websites. Rather than another complicated tool, why not just make asimple one and build it out from there?
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Adjustments Made
By creating our user prompts and architecture to align with familiar messaging products, we observed a significant increase in usability.
We drew significant inspiration from popular digital messaging tools like Facebook and Airbnb. By aligning our design with familiar platforms, we ensured that users felt comfortable navigating our tool due to its recognizable architecture.
Additionally, we prioritized simplicity in our language, recognizing that learning a second language can be challenging. Our goal was to ease this process by using straightforward language whenever possible.
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High-Fidelity Designs
Our simple product let users quickly connect with volunteers, reducing their wait for help.
Moving to a new country, whether by choice or circumstance, can be a disorienting experience. It’s common to feel alone and isolated, especially when your familiar surroundings and sense of safety are thousands of miles away.
At Immigrant Buddies, our mission is clear: regardless of your background, we aim to provide you with the help and resources you need as swiftly as possible to alleviate this period of anxiety.
Post Launch
35% of people said they would have used Immigrant Buddies upon immigration into the U.S.
Ultimately, our goal is to simplify lives. By creating a tool with a significant social impact, I not only find fulfillment in my work but also feel that I'm contributing meaningfully and using my skills to make a difference for others. of the day, we're just trying to make lives easier.
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