Project Proposal - Enhancing ShareTheMeal for Sustainable Development Goals

Theme

Our project theme is Enhancing the User Experience of the ‘Share The Meal’ application to allow users to make small but impactful donations to address global hunger and malnutrition.  This application can meet the goals of ‘No Poverty’ and ‘Zero Hungry’ in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Problem

Complex Donation Process (Usability Problem)

The existing donation process of the ShareTheMeal app, which is marked by its complexity and unintuitive design, presents a serious issue. For consumers, navigating through numerous windows and filling out lengthy forms may be a tedious and sometimes irritating process. This intricacy not only makes users more likely to give up on the process before it's finished, but it also presents problems for mobile users in the event that the interface isn't as responsive as it could be. The extensive form requirements might be viewed as onerous, which would discourage potential contributors and make it more difficult for the app to draw in more users. The absence of personalized options and unambiguous guidance also adds to a subpar user experience. 

Limited Personalization and Engagement (User Experience Problem)

ShareTheMeal's poor personalization and interaction elements present a noticeable user experience issue. The lack of personalized features like progress tracking and customized notifications makes it harder for the app to establish a personal connection with each user. Interactive elements that could enhance and personalize the user experience are absent from the app. Users could find it difficult to maintain motivation or a sense of connection to the philanthropic cause in the absence of personalized involvement. A more rewarding and customized experience within the ShareTheMeal app could be created by adding interactive elements, implementing personalized notifications based on user preferences, and incorporating progress tracking for individual contributions. These changes could ultimately strengthen the bond between users and the mission of ending world hunger.

Inadequate Feedback on Impact (User Experience Problem)

There is a lack of clear feedback on the impact of users' donations since the app does not provide feedback regarding the utilization of their donations and the overall progress of the campaigns they support. After making a donation, users are left without a clear understanding of how their financial contributions are being utilized on the ground to combat hunger and malnutrition and this is leading to a sense of disconnect. The user journey is also incomplete without a comprehensive feedback loop. Users are more likely to remain actively involved if they can witness the positive changes resulting from their support, creating a more fulfilling and meaningful user experience.

Inconsistent User Interface (Usability Problem)

Share The Meal exhibits inconsistencies in its user interface, both in terms of design elements and navigation patterns. Inconsistent navigation patterns make it difficult for users to predict how to move through the app. A lack of uniformity in buttons, menus, and gestures also results in users getting lost or struggling to find specific features. 

Besides, users may face a steep learning curve due to the lack of a consistent design. The lack of a standardized and cohesive design may lead to confusion among users, impacting their ability to seamlessly interact with the app and diminishing overall usability.

Proposed Solution

Interactive Donation Platform

User-Centered Design:

• Conduct user interviews to identify pain points and preferences in the current donation process.
• Utilize feedback to design a step-by-step process, emphasizing clarity and simplicity.

Progressive Disclosure:

• Implement a wizard-like interface, guiding users through each step with concise instructions.
• Display only essential information initially, progressively revealing additional details as users proceed.

Responsive Design:

• Prioritize a mobile-first design approach, ensuring a seamless experience on smartphones.
• Optimize form fields and buttons for touch, and perform thorough testing on various devices.

Usability Testing:

• Conduct usability testing with representative users, analyzing completion rates and time on task.
• Iterate on the design based on observed challenges and user feedback.

User-Centric Features

User Profiles:

• Introduce user profiles with customizable settings, allowing users to tailor their donation experience.
• Include options for users to select favorite causes, set donation preferences, and track their contributions.

Interactive Dashboard:

• Design a dynamic dashboard displaying a user's donation impact with visually appealing charts and graphics.
• Include personalized suggestions for new campaigns based on user preferences.

Customizable Notifications:

• Implement a notification center enabling users to choose notification types (e.g., campaign updates, achievements).
• Allow users to set the frequency and timing of notifications based on their preferences.

Gamification Elements:

• Integrate a gamification system with badges and challenges tied to specific donation milestones.
• Encourage social sharing of achievements to foster a sense of community.

Transparent Impact Reporting

Real-Time Impact Updates:

• Develop a system for real-time notifications, showcasing how a user's recent donation has made an impact.
• Include multimedia elements like images and videos to provide a tangible connection.

Personalized Impact Reports:

• Generate personalized reports summarizing a user's overall contributions, highlighting specific projects and their outcomes.
• Use storytelling techniques to convey the human impact of donations.

Feedback Loop:

• Implement a feedback mechanism within the app, encouraging users to rate and comment on the impact reporting features.
• Regularly review feedback to make continuous improvements and address concerns.

Storytelling Approach:

• Curate impactful stories within the app, narrating the journey of donations and showcasing success stories.
• Use multimedia elements strategically to evoke emotional connections.

Cohesive Design Language

Unified Design Language:

• Establish a design system with clear guidelines for visual elements, maintaining consistency in color, typography, and iconography.
• Create a comprehensive style guide accessible to all team members.

Standardized Navigation:

• Implement a standardized navigation system with consistent placement of menus and buttons across the app.
• Ensure that gestures and interactions follow a uniform pattern.

Usability Testing for Design:

• Conduct usability testing focused specifically on design elements, analyzing user satisfaction and ease of use.
• Use eye-tracking studies to ensure users follow a logical flow within the interface.

Accessibility Features:

• Integrate accessibility features such as voice-guided navigation, ensuring the app is usable by individuals with diverse abilities.
• Conduct accessibility testing to identify and address any potential barriers

Target Users 

First target user for this project are university students with a unique perspective on global challenges who want to help youngsters in their native country or other places. Supporting the Share The Meal app allows students to have a worldwide influence especially the university community itself such as lecturers, students and staff. They may help feed needy children in various regions of the world, including their native countries. At the same time, they may build a global network beyond individual universities and countries. The students actively promoting and engaging others to support can offer themselves leadership opportunities. It also showcases a dedication to making a positive impact beyond academic pursuits. Students who actively participate in and support the Share The Meal app not only help to address global hunger, but they also get a variety of personal, educational, and professional benefits that enhance their overall university experience.

Next, target users for this project are global citizens who want to contribute to global hunger issues by raising awareness about the app and issues through social media. Indirectly, they educate people and encourage others to join and support the initiative made by Share The Meal. Individuals who actively share content, can effectively amplify the messages and encourage their followers to download the app to join the initiative. We hope to connect with a diverse group of people, including young adults and middle-aged people, typically between the ages of 18 and 45, who share a desire to make a positive impact on the world, value giving back, and recognize the interconnectedness of global issues.

Last but not least, we target charity organizations such as AIESEC UTM. Clubs and organizations also play an important role in promoting global issues. Clubs can arrange fundraising campaigns to encourage members and the general public to donate to Share The Meal. Setting precise fundraising targets, generating awareness through events, and utilizing social media platforms are all examples of this. Clubs also can use their platform to raise awareness by holding events such as interactive workshops or charity runs. Educate the community about the global issues that have been going around. Share The Meal may become a shared cause that unites members, fosters social responsibility, and contributes to a greater, collective impact on a global hunger by actively involving clubs and student organizations.