AdoptSpot: 4 Week Hackathon

AdoptSpot is a collaborative hackathon design project aimed at simplifying the pet adoption process by connecting potential pet owners with adoption agencies.

The project was completed in a four-week sprint during which I was selected as the Design Lead. I oversaw a diverse team of five designers with varying levels of experience and coordinated efforts across multiple time zones.

Problem Statement

The main challenge was to create a seamless and user-friendly platform that facilitates the pet adoption process. The goal was to design an intuitive interface that caters to both the needs of municipal “no-kill” shelters and prospective pet owners.

Case Information

Duration

4-Week Sprint
Role

Design Lead
Team Size

1 team lead, 5 designers, 1 UX researcher
Tools Used

Figma, FigJam, Adobe Illustrator, Canva

Design Process

User Research (UXR):

UXR) team conducted initial research.
Identified key pain points and user needs from interviews and surveys.
Analyzed competitor platforms to understand industry standards and gaps.

Ideation:

Facilitated brainstorming sessions using FigJam.
Developed user personas and journey maps to visualize user interactions with the platform.

Wireframing

Objective:

Develop low-fidelity wireframes to outline the basic structure and flow of the platform.

Process

Organized sprints to create and refine wireframes.
Ensured that each designer contributed to different sections of the platform.
Conducted regular reviews to incorporate feedback and make necessary adjustments.

High-Fidelity Prototypes

Objective:

Transform wireframes into high-fidelity prototypes for a realistic representation of the final product.

Process:

Assigned tasks based on team members’ strengths and experience levels.
Utilized Figma for collaborative design work and version control.
Iterated on designs based on usability testing and feedback from the UXR team.
Ensure the design meets user needs and expectations through continuous improvement.

Adopter Desktop View:

Shelter Desktop Dashboard View:

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Coordinating a team across different time zones and skill levels.
Solution: Established clear communication channels and set regular check-ins to ensure alignment and progress.

Challenge: Balancing design iterations with the project timeline.
Solution: Prioritized tasks and used agile methodologies to manage time effectively.

Outcomes & Learnings

Outcome: Successfully delivered a high-fidelity prototype and a comprehensive pitch deck, receiving positive feedback from stakeholders and participants.

Learnings:

The importance of effective communication and collaboration in a remote setting.
How to leverage the strengths of team members to achieve common goals.
The value of iterative design and incorporating user feedback.

Pitch Deck Creation

Conclusion

Leading the AdoptSpot design project was a transformative experience that honed my leadership, collaboration, and design skills. This case study showcases my ability to manage a diverse team, drive a project from concept to completion, and deliver impactful design solutions. Not to mention, our team placed 3rd out of 6 teams.