Role
UI/UX Designer, Tech Lead
Duration
10 weeks
Methods
Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Balsamiq, Figma
Background
RESULT - Recognize and Evaluate Signs to Uncover Labor Trafficking is a resource tool web app spearheaded by the Attorney General’s Office of Massachusetts that aims to increase awareness about labor trafficking and make it easy to identify.
The Problem
Labor trafficking is significantly underreported in Massachusetts.
In 2018, only 12% of reported trafficking cases were for labor trafficking. The Attorney General’s Office of MA believes the incidents of labor trafficking to be much higher than what is being reported.
There is a lack of awareness about labor trafficking.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, service providers, and front-line workers do not receive any training on how to effectively identify and report labor trafficking and resources to help them are limited.
Labor trafficking is difficult to identify.
It is difficult to distinguish the difference between labor exploitation and labor trafficking and indicators are hard to spot.
Solution
RESULT - Recognize and Evaluate Signs to Uncover Labor Trafficking is a resource tool web app spearheaded by the Attorney General’s Office of Massachusetts and in collaboration with Boston University, that aims to increase awareness about labor trafficking and provide tools to make it easy to identify.
The UX Problem
With RESULT as a solution in place that addresses all aspects of the current problem, this project seemed like a closed case.
However, our clients noticed a lack of interaction with the website and after speaking to their audience, they found that the web app is hard to use and navigate.
Our clients also wanted a new fresh look to the website to make the information on their website stand out.
Goal
In order to address client needs and create a better experience for the users as well as determine a process to move forward I set a three part goal for this project.
Improve User Flow
Make it easier for users to navigate between pages and find information easily.
Add more information
Make the web app more informative about the tools on the site and what the web app is about.
Stylistic Improvements
Make stylistic changes to create a fresh and clean look to the web app.
Process
Discover
User Insight
Due to the nature of this project and the target audience I was not able to interview any users as they spoke directly to our client and those meetings were conducted prior to the beginning of this project. However I was able to get a comprehensive understanding of the users and their pain points with the product from the client to design a solution.
Users
Inspectors
Compliance Officers
First Responders
Investigators
Law Enforcement
Frustrations
Not understanding what the tools are at first glance
Having to scroll back and forth a lot to see all question during evaluation
No helpful resources on the resource page
Wants
Informative, helpful, quick access resources
Quicker way to navigate the assess tool and move between categories.
Heuristic Evaluation
Inspiration
Before moving on to ideation and creating a new style and feel for the web app I met with our client to understand their expectations for the re-design. I pulled inspiration from several government websites to show to the client and together we decided on samples to base the new UI off of.
Ideation
User Flow
Lo-fi Wireframes
Branding
Colors & Fonts
Icons
Assess
Prepare
Resources
The Product
Testing
I produced a prototype with the wireframes to test usability of the new website. Since my approach to users was limited and through the client, I was able to hand off the prototype to the client to give to all stakeholders.
The feedback was overwhelming positive with no complaints or confusion about the tools and the flow of the website.
My team and I are currently working on getting the website deployed in order to get more feedback from our clients and users based on engagement and overall usability of the tools on the website to implement any changes based on those needs.