Empowering volunteer connections through technology
Case Study
The clients goal was to bridge the gap and create a communication path between volunteers and non-profit organizations. There were two problems that were solved by this app. Local students needing to fulfill volunteer requirements and non-profits needing volunteers for their events. Symbio solved both problems by creating an app that would be used by both parties to promote, staff and fulfill volunteer needs.
The primary constraint was the diverse user base--students, faculty, non-profits--each with different levels of tech familiarity, different schedules, and interests. It also needed complex event filtering functionality in order to be useful and accessible.
The solutions for these constraints included a clean and responsive UI/UX with a simple navigation. A system that facilitates mutual benefit from both parties; volunteers find meaningful opportunities and non-profits get reliable help. I also built a simple enough UI that allowed for east scalability for future features like feedback, tracking hours and gamification.
Client
Symbio, LLC
Contribution
UI/UX Design, Art Direction
Tools Used
Figma, Adobe Illustrator
Duration
4 months
Market Research
Market research showed that the few apps that were available for this use case were limited, donned clunky UI, or didn't serve the intended demographic.
The target audience for this product is university students, faculty, and local non-profit organizations. I researched students, faculty, and non-profits by doing surveys and interviews. I also reviewed exsisting volunteer platforms and university engagement tools and compared them to volunteer requirements and preferences. After research, I found that students prefer mobile-first platforms and quick and easy RSVP user flow. Non-profits need easy attendance tracking, form completion and easy posting tools.
After competitive analysis, the focus for Symbio was a clean UI, simple RSVP user flow, and filtering by student requirements.
Iterations
The filtering system began with a basic concept that included categories such as type, location, and duration. However, through user research, it became clear that Symbio required a more robust and personalized filtering experience. This led to the development of filters based on user interests, specific tasks, and student requirements, allowing for more meaningful discovery and engagement.
The RSVP flow was initially designed with a straightforward button that led users to complete all required information at the time of sign-up. Iteration revealed that students preferred a more flexible approach—opting to sign up quickly and then gradually complete onboarding forms or requirements leading up to the event. This insight helped reshape the RSVP experience to better match user behavior and reduce friction.
Regarding user roles, the original concept involved offering different roles within the app interface. Further research showed that non-profit administrators preferred managing events primarily from their computers using a web-based interface. This finding informed the development of role-specific experiences tailored to the platform preferences of each user group.
Design Decisions
The typography for the platform should feature a clean, modern sans-serif typeface such as Inter or Roboto to ensure readability across devices. A clear hierarchy must be established between headers, subheaders, and body text to guide users effectively through event listings and filters. Font sizes and weights should be optimized for accessibility, particularly on mobile devices.
The color palette should consist of warm, inviting tones like coral, teal, or soft blue to evoke a sense of community engagement and trust. Accent colors will be used strategically for call-to-action elements such as “RSVP” or “Filter” buttons, ensuring they stand out. Neutral backgrounds, including light grays or off-whites, will help maintain a clean interface that keeps the focus on content.
In terms of layout, a card-based design will present volunteer opportunities in modular, easy-to-scan formats. Sticky filters will remain visible as users scroll, allowing them to refine results without losing context. A responsive grid will ensure optimal usability on mobile and tablet devices, featuring collapsible menus and touch-friendly buttons. Additionally, role-based dashboards will provide tailored layouts for students, faculty, and non-profits, streamlining their workflows and enhancing user experience.
Challenges
One of the key challenges faced during development was addressing the diverse needs of users, including students, faculty, and staff, each with varying expectations and levels of technical comfort. To accommodate this, role-based dashboards and simplified navigation were designed to ensure a tailored and intuitive experience for all user types.
Another major challenge was event discovery, as users often struggled to find relevant volunteer opportunities quickly. This was resolved by implementing advanced filtering options based on interests, task types, and student-specific requirements, allowing for a more personalized and efficient search experience.
The RSVP engagement process also required refinement. Initially, the RSVP flow lacked clarity and follow-up, which led to user drop-offs. To improve this, the RSVP experience was redesigned to include confirmation screens, calendar integration, and reminder notifications, helping users stay informed and committed.
Community integration posed another challenge, particularly for non-profit organizations that needed a simple way to post and manage events without technical barriers. In response, an intuitive backend system was developed, featuring guided posting and event management tools tailored to the needs of non-profit administrators.
Lastly, visual clarity was a concern in early design iterations, which were cluttered and lacked hierarchy. This was addressed by adopting a card-based design system that emphasized clear visual hierarchy and mobile-first responsiveness, resulting in a cleaner and more user-friendly interface.
Final Outcome
The app was designed with user-centered functionality at its core. Its filtering system allowed users to sort volunteer opportunities by interest, task type, and student requirements, making it easy to discover relevant events. A streamlined RSVP flow enabled quick sign-ups, which significantly improved event attendance by reducing friction in the user journey.
A simple interface supported usability across all devices, with a clean, responsive layout that was especially effective on mobile—critical for engaging students. Role-based dashboards tailored the experience for different user types, including students, faculty, and non-profits, simplifying navigation and task management for each group.
The app’s visual identity was crafted to reflect a welcoming, community-focused aesthetic. Thoughtful choices in color palette and typography resonated with the university audience, while visual hierarchy and card-based layouts improved content scanability and reduced cognitive load.
In terms of community impact, the app successfully bridged the gap between campus and local organizations. It helped non-profits gain reliable volunteers and enabled students to fulfill service requirements more easily. The final product also laid the foundation for future enhancements such as gamification, feedback systems, and volunteer hour tracking.
Result and Impact
Symbio led to increased awareness and participation in local volunteer events. A simplified RSVP process contributed to higher attendance and fewer no-shows, while filtering by interest and task type helped students find opportunities that aligned with their passions and academic requirements. Within the first semester, volunteer sign-ups increased by 30%, and 85% of surveyed users reported that the app made it easier to find relevant opportunities. Faculty and staff also provided positive feedback, noting the app’s usability and its seamless integration with student service programs. One student shared, “Symbio makes volunteering feel accessible and rewarding,” while a local non-profit coordinator remarked, “We’ve never had this level of engagement from SVSU students before.”
Reflection
I definitely strengthened my analytical design skills and my UI/UX skillset. It was so fun researching and surveying the target audience in order to create a better product that will have a lasting impact on the community. Elements I would change include utilizing a more interesting color palette--one that isn't so safe. I would also revisit the "Loading" and "Welcome" screens to make them more visually interesting.