An Overview

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Pulling from the journeys of many other queer people and myself, I was inspired by our collective experiences of how navigating the world can be difficult at times. There is often a feeling of uncertainty in being authentically yourself while also trying to remain safe.

That’s how Out & About was born.

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The Challenge

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Queer individuals living in highly conservative or rural areas often face unique challenges in finding supportive LGBTQ+ social groups, safe spaces, and resources. In these areas, discretion is critical to ensure personal safety and privacy while navigating and connecting with the community.

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The Solution

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• Curated Group of Locations: Feature locations within set, curated groups to streamline access to safe spaces and resources.

• Discrete Logo Design: Create a subtle and understated logo that doesn’t draw unwanted attention, making it safer and more comfortable for users to access the platform.

• User Customization: Allow users to organize and personalize lists and groups.

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User Persona Analysis

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Every good design begins with a list of questions.


• How can I ensure users are offered a range of flexibility and customization.
• How can I empower users to use the full-range of services provided.

• How could others benefit from O&A?

These questions led me to create the following user personas.

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Inspiration

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During my research process, I explored various social media and navigation apps to understand what makes them successful and unique. Here are some of the key featured apps and their standout features that set them apart from the others.

Pinterest

• No set "timeline"; posts remain consistently relevant based on users' interests and algorithms: "Why Pinterest is Vastly Underrated" - Allison Roland
• Pinterest focuses on creativity and inspiration, setting it apart from other social media apps that primarily emphasize entertainment.

Google Maps

• Available universally
• Detailed transit information

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Key Features

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When establishing my key features, I revisited the questions I had considered while creating my user personas. This approach ensured that the features were directly aligned with the needs, preferences, and goals of my target audience.

Design System
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Reflection

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Looking back on the project, I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out. I feel that I was able to successfully integrate my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with my passion for technology and design.

That said, there are still areas where I want to refine the Out & About design. Specifically, I’d like to focus on the search and explore sections, with the goal of further distinguishing the two for a clearer separation.

Out & About is a project I’m still actively working on, and I’m excited to continue developing it.

‍Stay tuned for more updates soon!

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