Wildaware

Is a student-led initiative focused on the welfare of wild animals. Launched with the goal of protecting endangered species, it quickly expanded to address the needs of other wildlife across various ecosystems. Over the course of its first year, WildAware has garnered significant attention for its impactful conservation efforts. The organisation has successfully built partnerships with multiple non-governmental organisation's (NGOs) and environmental groups, expanding its reach to support diverse species and their habitats worldwide.

WildAware stands out by providing accessible and innovative ways for individuals to engage in wildlife conservation. Its focus is on education, awareness, and fostering global collaborations to drive tangible, lasting change in animal welfare. Through its dynamic campaigns, the organization has contributed to vital projects aimed at preserving ecosystems, combating poaching, and promoting sustainable practices.

My Role

I designed intuitive user interfaces and crafted seamless experiences for WildAware’s digital platforms, focusing on wireframing, prototyping, UX research, and UI design to create a user-centric app that encourages action.

UX Artefacts

Wire-framing, prototypes, UX Research, UI designs

Project Overview

WildAware emerged in response to the growing need for effective wildlife conservation advocacy platforms. Many existing platforms were overloaded with information, making them difficult for users to navigate and engage with. WildAware’s core mission was to simplify these platforms while creating an engaging and informative user experience.

The app’s goal is to empower individuals to take proactive roles in wildlife preservation, whether by learning about endangered species, participating in conservation efforts, or making donations to support crucial initiatives.

Initial Research and Strategy

To develop a user-friendly and effective app, we began by conducting in-depth research. This included market analysis, user surveys, and usability tests to understand the specific needs and preferences of the target audience. Our findings informed the design direction and helped us tailor the platform to meet the expectations of both wildlife enthusiasts and casual users interested in contributing to animal welfare

Market Analytics

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

World Animal Protection (WAP)

WWF has long been a leader in global conservation, offering educational resources, wildlife tracking tools, and opportunities for direct action like petitions and donations. The WWF app stands out due to its clear, actionable content and easy-to-use interface, which is well-loved by environmental enthusiasts

WAP focuses on protecting animals from cruelty and abuse, including those impacted by disasters and unsustainable farming practices. Its app emphasizes transparency, providing real-time alerts, news, and ways for users to engage with ongoing campaigns. The WAP app has been effective in driving support and involvement, thanks to its transparency and user-friendly design.

User Persona's

Ryan

Male, 28, veterinary technician, Passionate about animal welfare and volunteers at local shelters,

Challenges

A busy schedule and limited time for lengthy app navigation

Goals

Quick, seamless donations to animal rescue organizations

Chris and Claire

Married, late 30s Want to involve their children in philanthropy and support conservation efforts

Challenges

Finding an easy-to-use, family-friendly platform for regular donations

Goals

Lack of time, need for an intuitive and quick donation process

Ethan

Male, 55, environmental advocate Committed to environmental conservation, including wildlife protection

Challenges

Looking for a transparent, trustworthy app to support wildlife initiatives

Goals

Needs clarity about how funds are allocated and the app’s overall impact

Overall Challenge

Engaging users and keeping them active within the platform
Providing clear information about how donations and efforts are being used

Solutions

Streamlined Navigation: Developed a user-friendly interface with distinct sections for different activities, campaigns, and educational resources.
Transparency Features: Added features that allow users to track the impact of their donations and see how funds are being used in real-time.

User-Centered Design Philosophy

We kept the user experience at the core of our design decisions. WildAware was designed to be a platform where users could freely explore, learn, and donate without facing intrusive ads or hidden charges. This approach ensures that individuals feel comfortable navigating the app and contributing based on their interests, without pressure or limitations. WildAware’s flexibility, allowing users to donate any amount they choose, makes it accessible to a wide range of supporters, from casual users to passionate advocates.

The UI Design

After our first prototype we needed to understand what users want from a wildlife conservation app. Through surveys, user interviews, and usability testing, we discovered that users were often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information on other platforms and found it difficult to make contributions

We found that:

Clear, actionable steps to get involved
A streamlined, minimalistic design
Real-time information about how their donations were being used

The research informed our design choices, ensuring the app was not only informative but also easy to use

Design Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Engaging Users to Take Action

Many users initially signed up for the app but didn’t follow through with donations or engagement in campaigns.

Solution: We introduced a progress tracker on the home screen, where users could see how their actions were helping specific campaigns. This tracker displayed the amount of money raised, the species being helped, and the goals achieved, creating a sense of accomplishment and motivating users to return to the app and continue contributing.

We also included reminder notifications about ongoing campaigns or donation opportunities, encouraging users to take immediate action.

Challenge 2: Ensuring Transparency of Donations

Users wanted to know exactly how their donations were being used, but many other apps failed to provide this information clearly.

Solution: We created a real-time impact dashboard that showed users where their donations were going. For example, after a donation, users could immediately see how their contribution was allocated, whether it was for animal rescue, habitat restoration, or research funding. This feature was vital for building trust and encouraging repeat donations.

Apple Watch Version: Expanding Accessibility

We recognised the growing trend of wearable technology and saw an opportunity to make WildAware more accessible and user-friendly through an Apple Watch version. The Apple Watch app enables users to stay engaged with campaigns and donate on-the-go.

Why the Apple Watch Version?

Convenience: Users could quickly donate or check for new campaigns via notifications without needing to open the phone app.
Real-Time Alerts: Users could receive instant updates on new campaigns and urgent calls for action, fostering immediate responses.
Donation Tracking: The Apple Watch allowed users to easily track their donation history and stay motivated to make further contributions.

After the initial launch, WildAware saw significant improvements in user engagement and donations

Increased Monthly Active Users (MAUs): More users were actively engaging with the app each month.

Higher Retention Rate: The addition of personalised notifications and the education hub kept users returning to the app.

Final thoughts

Creating WildAware was an exciting challenge, where every design decision had to balance simplicity, engagement, and education. Through careful user research and iterative design, we were able to craft an experience that empowered individuals to take action for wildlife conservation in a way that felt meaningful and impactful. The integration of the Apple Watch version extended the app’s reach and accessibility, allowing users to engage with the platform wherever they were.

The project was a success, not just in terms of product development but also in fostering a global community committed to protecting wildlife.