Project overview

The Product:

The Impact Hub is a digital display designed to showcase the stories and achievements of FGA HOUSE (VILLA PESQUERA), a non-profit organization in Puerto Rico. This interactive screen will be placed inside the organization's headquarters to highlight the various projects they have funded, the accomplishments of scholarship recipients, and serve as an educational tool for visitors.

THE CLIENT

FGA is a non profit that has been dedicated to advancing education, sponsoring the arts, and supporting community service organizations since 1972. By sharing these stories through text, photos, and audio links, The Impact Hub aims to inspire and inform visitors about the positive impact FGA HOUSE has had on the local communities over the past 50+ years.

Fig 4. A Art at FGA House

The Problem

Visitors to FGA HOUSE (VILLA PESQUERA) headquarters lacked a cohesive and engaging way to learn about the non-profit’s extensive history, impactful projects, and the achievements of scholarship recipients. This gap hindered the organization’s ability to effectively educate and inspire visitors about their ongoing contributions to the local communities in Puerto Rico.

Fig. 1 A 2nd Floor common space in FGA House

My Role

As the lead designer for The Impact Hub project, I collaborated closely with the board of the Fundación Gonzalo Aponte to bring their vision to life. Working alongside their creative director, who conceived the idea, I was responsible for designing and implementing the interactive digital display to educate and engage visitors at the FGA HOUSE headquarters. I executed all of the following:

User Profiles: Conducted research to define target users, including age, location, career, gender, and disabilities, ensuring the design met their needs.

Pain Points Analysis: Analyzed how user characteristics might influence experiences and addressed potential pain points.

Participant Recruitment: Recruited diverse participants for user interviews to gather comprehensive insights.

Research Goals and Strategy: Defined clear research objectives and crafted a strategic plan to align with project goals.

Interview Design: Developed relevant, open-ended, and neutral interview questions for meaningful user feedback.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Worked closely with the board and creative director to align the project with their vision and educational goals.

The Goal

The goal of The Impact Hub project was to create an interactive digital display that effectively communicates the stories and achievements of FGA HOUSE (VILLA PESQUERA). By providing visitors with an engaging and informative experience, the project aims to highlight the organization’s impact, inspire community involvement, and enhance educational outreach.

Observational Study: 

Leo Palooza 

To summarize the observational study conducted during the user research for The Impact Hub, here's what happened:

Event Overview:

• Dates: August 8-12, 2024

• Location: FGA HOUSE (VILLA PESQUERA) in Isabela, Puerto Rico

• Participants: A diverse group of individuals was invited to interact with the FGA HOUSE space.

• Purpose: The event was designed to observe how participants engage with the space and to gather insights to inform the design of The Impact Hub digital display.

Key Findings:

1. Engagement Patterns:

• Participants were not actively talking about the foundation although we knew this was a fundraiser 

• The proximity to a beautiful beach added to an overall positive experience

• Folks ate locally and stayed in area unless a car was rene

• Surfing and paddle boarding was popular outlet for nearby visitors and locals

• People were quick to look , ask questions about and engage with the art on the walls , despite only just starting the FGA collection 

2. Accessibility Considerations:

• The house has multiple stairs and no wheelchair accessibility, which posed challenges for some participants. This is a crucial consideration for the design of The Impact Hub, as it needs to be inclusive and accessible.

• The tiered of this event allowed for us to have a wide demographic of incomes

3. Accommodation and Logistics:

• The logistics of getting to and staying at the FGA HOUSE were manageable, but there was a strong emphasis on the need for coordination, especially for those traveling from San Juan.

• Participants staying at the house appreciated the opportunity to support FGA's initiatives directly, which enhanced their connection to the organization's mission.

• Call to actions were not followed up with immediate opportunities to donate

4. Community Support:

• There was a notable preference among participants for supporting locally-owned businesses, both in terms of accommodation and transportation. This reflects a strong community-oriented mindset that should be echoed in The Impact Hub's content.

5. Social Interaction:

• The group setting and shared accommodations fostered a sense of community among participants. This could be leveraged in The Impact Hub's design to create a space that encourages social interaction and collective storytelling.

Implications for The Impact Hub:

• Interactive and Engaging Content: The Impact Hub should feature dynamic, interactive content that captures attention and encourages engagement, similar to the positive interactions observed at the event.

• Accessibility Features: Consideration for accessibility is crucial, especially given the physical limitations of the space. Incorporating features like audio guides or alternative ways to interact with the display could help address these issues.

• Community Focus: Content should emphasize the importance of supporting local initiatives and businesses, reflecting the values observed in the participants.

• Facilitate Social Interaction: The Impact Hub could include elements that encourage visitors to share their experiences or stories, building on the sense of community observed during the event.

• Networks: the main social networks currently invited to FGA house include surfers, parents, families with older children, artists, remote workers and cultural workers both local and outside of PR

Understanding the user

• User research

• Personas

• Problem statements

• User journey maps

USER Personas

I carefully crafted five user personas based on user research trends, reflecting real, data-backed motivations, challenges, and goals that align with emerging behavioral patterns across similar user demographics.

Hana’s User Story:

Who: Hana, a 28-year-old remote worker from San Francisco

What: Wants to visit The Impact Hub during her trip to Puerto Rico to learn about and support local community initiatives

Why: To use her experience to promote ethical travel and sustainable businesses on social media, aligning with her values of responsible travel and supporting positive local efforts.

Problem statement:

Hana is a 28-year-old remote worker from San Francisco who needs to find and engage with local community initiatives while traveling because she wants to promote ethical travel practices and support sustainable businesses through her social media presence.

SuRVEY DESIGN

Fig 3.A

Fig. 3a - 3F Post Visitor Survey Designed by: Dorien Rodriguez (Questions pertaining to Impact Hub)

Dani’s User Story: 

Who: Dani, a 45-year-old businessman and dad of two from Fajardo

What: Wants to explore The Impact Hub during a family vacation in Isabela to learn about local community initiatives and projects

Why: To teach his kids about the importance of giving back and to consider how his business can support similar initiatives in his own community, blending his professional ambitions with his desire to make a positive impact.

Problem statement:

Dani is a 45-year-old businessman from Fajardo who needs to discover impactful local community initiatives while on vacation because he wants to teach his kids about giving back and explore ways to integrate similar support into his own business and community.

Elena’s User Story: 

Who: Elena, a 42-year-old community leader and educator from NYC with Puerto Rican heritage

What: Wants to use The Impact Hub as a resource for inspirations on future class and community projects 

Why: To educate her students about the contributions of Puerto Ricans and foster a deeper connection to their heritage while promoting cultural preservation and community development.

Problem statement:

Elena is a 42-year-old community leader and educator from NYC who needs engaging and informative resources to teach her students about Puerto Rican contributions and heritage because she wants to empower her students, preserve cultural connections, and support their growth while managing her own limited resources and responsibilities.

User research: summary

To inform the design of The Impact Hub, we conducted extensive user research, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies with a diverse group of visitors to FGA HOUSE (VILLA PESQUERA). Initially, we assumed that most visitors would primarily be interested in the organization's historical achievements. However, our research revealed a strong preference for interactive and multimedia content that highlights personal stories and current projects in an engaging and dynamic way.

Based on this research, we pivoted the design of The Impact Hub to include several key features:

1. Dynamic Multimedia Content: Videos, interviews, and project highlights present first-person narratives from scholarship recipients, project leaders, and community members, offering users a deeper connection to FGA's impact.

2. Interactive Displays: Touchscreen interfaces that allow visitors to explore ongoing projects and current initiatives, giving them control over how they engage with FGA's work.

3. Seamless Integration of QR Codes: Visitors can scan QR codes to save contact information, connect with FGA’s social media, or subscribe to newsletters, ensuring a continued relationship with FGA beyond their visit.

Bilingual Accessibility: The Impact Hub is fully accessible in both English and Spanish, catering to a wider audience and ensuring everyone can engage with the content without language barriers.

User Journey Maps

+ Potential Value Propositions based on User Journeys

Potential Value Propositions based on Angels’ User Journeys

Direct Networking Opportunities:

• What could it do? The Hub could enable Angel to connect directly with FGA House through integrated networking tools.

• Why might Angel care? This could open up opportunities for Angel to collaborate with FGA House, potentially enhancing both professional and artistic growth, while also contributing to the beautification of the space.

Visually Captivating Introduction:

• What could it do? The Hub’s introduction could feature vivid imagery and motion graphics.

• Why might Angel care? A visually engaging introduction could immediately capture Angel’s attention, making the content more memorable and compelling.

Simplified Collaboration with QR Codes:

• What could it do? The Hub could offer QR codes that link to social media and contact cards.

• Why might Angel care? The easy-to-use QR codes could simplify the process of connecting with FGA House, facilitating faster and more efficient collaboration.

Subscription for Ongoing Projects:

• What could it do? The Hub could offer a newsletter subscription for updates on FGA projects.

• Why might Angel care? This could allow Angel to stay informed about future projects and potential collaborations, fostering long-term engagement.

Potential Value Propositions based on Hana’s User Journeys

Quick Engagement with Visually Captivating Content:

• What could it do? The Hub could present visually engaging, non-text-based content.

• Why might Hana care? With a tight travel schedule, Hana could still explore the Hub and grasp its key messages without needing to read long paragraphs.

Multilingual Accessibility:

• What could it do? The Hub could provide content in both Spanish and English.

• Why might Hana care? Bilingual features could ensure Hana fully understands and engages with the Hub regardless of her language preference.

Opportunities for Donation and Social Media Engagement:

• What could it do? The Hub could offer QR codes that lead to FGA’s social media, along with donation calls-to-action.

• • Why might Hana care? Hana could easily tag FGA on social media and contribute financially, enabling her to stay engaged with the organization even after her stay.

Exit Surveys for Feedback:

• What could it do? The Hub could encourage visitors to fill out an exit survey at the end of their visit.

• Why might Hana care? Providing feedback at the end of her visit could allow Hana to feel involved in improving the visitor experience, deepening her connection to the organization.

Potential Value Propositions based on Dani’s  Journey

Fast and Easy Exploration:

• What could it do? The Hub could use audio-visual components instead of lengthy text explanations.

• Why might Dani care? With limited time, Dani could still explore the Hub quickly and efficiently, making the most of his visit.

Non-Technical, Intuitive Interface:

• What could it do? The Hub could feature easy navigation with slideshows and familiar QR codes.

• Why might Dani care? With minimal technical skills, Dani could comfortably access the Hub’s content without feeling overwhelmed.

Clear Donation Impact:

• What could it do? The Hub could demonstrate how donations support initiatives beyond Isabela.

•Why might Dani care? Knowing the broader impact of his contributions, Dani might feel more motivated to donate and continue supporting FGA’s mission.

Potential Value Propositions based on Carlos’  Journey

Resources for Post-Visit Engagement:

• What could it do? The Hub could provide contact information and donation resources.

• Why might Carlos care? Easily accessible resources could keep Carlos engaged after his visit, encouraging him to stay involved as a regular donor or collaborator.

Multimedia Storytelling:

• What could it do? The Hub could integrate videos and multimedia stories from scholarship recipients and project leaders.

• Why might Carlos care? These relatable stories could resonate with Carlos, encouraging him to contribute to the cause and promote educational initiatives.

Easy Navigation for Non-Tech-Savvy Users:

• What could it do? The Hub could offer simple-to-use features such as pause/play and QR codes.

Why might Carlos care? The intuitive design could allow Carlos to navigate the Hub effortlessly, even without advanced technical skills, making his experience stress-free.