In the summer of 2020, I had the privilege to work as a UX Design intern for BackPac, a startup whose motive is to guide modern activists with tools to catalyze social change.
Role
UX Designer
Skills
Figma, UX Design, Prototyping, Responsive Web Design
Overview
As the sole designer on the BackPac team, I led the majority of the efforts across all digital solutions including the BackPac and Partner apps for both mobile and web, a full redesign of the BackPac website, and the startup's company portal. This case study is related to the BackPac app, but you can view the website atbackpac.co.
Objective
The BackPac app originated as a platform for users to find local volunteer opportunities and become more involved with their community. The team was looking to develop BackPac into a broader platform to truly encompass 'Modern Day Activism', and allow users to create social change in ways other than volunteering. My job was to redesign the BackPac app to enhance the user experience and determine strategic design and functionality decisions to implement into the new app.
Process
01 Empathize
To understand the needs of BackPac's audience, I leveraged existing user research by analyzing survey data. The data provided key insights into the motivations and obstacles that different customer segments face during volunteering.
Obstacles
For all customer segments except Homemakers, the two main obstacles for volunteering were lack of awareness of available opportunities and scheduling conflicts. Homemakers' main obstacle was family obligations.
motivations
The main motivation for volunteering for all customer segments except University Students was to support a specific cause. For University Students, the motivation was to improve their resumes for job applications.
channels
When asked where users found opportunities to volunteer, High School and University Students' main channel was through school programs. Homemakers' main source was through religious organizations. The rest of the segments' channels were by word of mouth.
02 Define
After analyzing survey data and gathering insights on user needs, I defined a problem statement to guide me while I progressed to designing.
Modern day activists need a multifaceted platform to discover available opportunities beyond volunteering, support causes they're passionate about, and track their engagement and activism.
Along with redesigning the BackPac app to enhance existing features, I was able to create new features such as Campaigns, Donation Flows, Education Materials, and Statistics to help solve the problem statement and truly embody the flexible activist platform.
03 Design
Two of the key features of BackPac that I redesigned included Discover, and Event Details.
Discover
event details
04 Feedback
I was able to receive constant feedback on my designs from BackPac's cross-functional product team. By presenting my work a few times a week and effectively taking in recommendations, I iterated on my wireframes by receiving outside perspectives.
In addition to feedback from the team, I reached out to friends and family to test out my prototype and log usability issues. This method helped best as participants were unfamiliar with the functionality of the app and I got a true user POV of my work.
In addition to feedback from the team, I reached out to friends and family to test out my prototype and log usability issues. This method helped best as participants were unfamiliar with the functionality of the app and I got a true user POV of my work.
Reflection
This internship gave me the opportunity to work as an end-to-end UX designer at a fast-growing startup. I designed a variety of interfaces rather than being assigned to a single project for the summer, it was definitely an experience I can leverage in the future. Working at a startup allowed me to get full exposure to all aspects of the company. I was given a lot of trust and responsibility that allowed me to gain experience fast with a great outcome. The welcoming and inclusive culture of BackPac is one I’ll never forget, I’m so grateful for the opportunity I was given!
