Industry
Duration
Black Girls in Tech (Case study)
My Role
Research & Design
Client
January - August 2023
Ed-tech & E-commerce
BGIT Membership Community Portal
Black Girls in Tech (BGIT) launches a membership portal for over 20,000 underserved tech enthusiasts globally.
Problem
“Given the limited data on our community of over 20k+ users. How can we upgrade our membership system and create a platform that unifies our members?” - Karen Emelu - CEO
Solution
A membership community portal that offers resources, events, and groups to support members in their tech journeys, promoting inclusivity and development.
backstory
Black women, who represent only 0.7% of IT professionals, face significant barriers and underrepresentation in the industry. Starting January 2023 on a high note, I completed an intense bootcamp that led to a UX & UI Design opportunity at ‘Black Girls in Tech’.
Client
BGIT is a global ed-tech organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for black girls and women exploring “non-traditional” careers such as technology. The organisation aims to bridge the gender and racial gap in the tech industry.
What’s the challenge?
“Given the limited data on our community of over 20k+ users. How can we upgrade our membership system and create a platform that unifies our members?”
We gained key insights from existing members by conducting surveys and interviews to identify what makes an engaging community experience in the summary below.
Process
What SOME users had to say...
Scoping the competition
To explore how other ed-tech platforms help develop skills whilst boosting engagement in a community of learners, and to identify BGIT's USPs.
Taster courses to show value before commitment
No direct way for learners to engage with others
Accessible online resources at different levels
Testimonials to evoke trust
…Key Competitor findings
Visualising OUR tech enthusiasts
Presenting 3 personas gave insight into BGIT’s target users and accurate scenarios they face based on internal research. They are categorised into: Transitioning, exploring and working in tech.
They all expressed a need for tailored resources, online events and fostering community spirit.
What did we prioritise?
2
3
My CREATIVE DIRECTIOn…
1
Opted for short, simple user flows to easily translate and eliminate confusion.
Created a design system and documentation for my Design team and Software Engineers.
Led creation of key mobile and desktop states following 8-point grid and material design guidelines.
Limitations & learnings
Due to a shift in direction, the PM decided to launch a different UI design for the community portal. A key learning is to remain flexible and not become too attached to designs as there’s always variables to consider.
As my contract with BGIT ended, I couldn't see how users tested the new design to understand its real-world performance and get feedback to advise on any usability issues.
I worked within a skilled team with varied experience, which led to more responsibility taking in some areas. A key learning is to be more mindful of workload and project timelines to complete tasks efficiently.
