Murali Krishna
Murali Krishna
While consulting at University of Commons(Now Platforms common), I was the in-charge of User Experience Design, Branding and Storytelling. The vision was to create programs and an engaging web application and a mobile app that would empower citizen volunteers to drive change in their communities.
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Adapting my usual longer interaction design process to include visual design and branding in the timeline was a good exercise in prioritizing what is most necessary depending on the project. The research sessions and interactions were especially fun as it involved sessions with young minds and real life heroes that are working at grass-root level to bring about change.
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The project was a complete success. The new website and app went live in phased increments to fantastic reviews by UoC clients & Volunteers.
Impact
The University of Commons invited changemakers to find and offer learning opportunities amidst community serdice. To that, UoC offered value to both sides. UoC builds capacity with active citizens to drive change locally and supports entrepreneurs in achieving their mission.
The idea of University has brought together individuals and communities to learn by practicing and challenging the status quo; Commons is the space that allows for both change and learning to happen.
17K
Community members driving change
1.2K
Member groups formed across India
2.5K
Schools supported through members
200K
Hours of community work
Insights
Understanding the technology behind the volunteer engagement engine was really helpful in making UX decisions, but also built a stronger working relationship with many members of the engineering team.
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Based on the interviews with participants and volunteers, we have we derived reassuring design feedback. It symbolizes that the young people who use this app enjoy it and it fits into their lifestyle and schedule.
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This project gave me an understanding of how difficult it is to introduce the small new feature into a community engagement app. The touch points we need to consider before changing a small button on a screen.
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Working closely with the Co-founder was an estimable experience. I have enhanced myself in understanding the broad spectrum of design, thinking about the limitations and asking the right questions.