first step
Client: United Way | 2017 | Research, Information Systems Design | Partner: Dana Sodd
First Step is a visualization of the process of getting the help an individual needs to begin the journey out of poverty.
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In Cincinnati, the poverty rate is almost double the
national average. Although there are hundreds of social service organizations, they do not communicate with one another in a unified language. Distributed and hung up in each organization's building, this tool brings a common language and understanding to each organization, builds empathy about the overwhelming aspect of finding out where a client is eligible to go, and builds stronger relationships between organizations and the clients they serve.
FIRST DISCOVERIES
Insights Review
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"Poverty is a multi-part equation. The hardest thing for me to hear from people is ‘if that person got a job, they would be fine. If they just got a house, they would be fine.’ You can’t just solve for one of the variables. You have to solve for them all."
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EMILY MADIGAN | UNITED WAY
Research and Prototyping​
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The concept was narrowed down to a single-paged informational poster. 100 Cincinnati based services were selected and researched, 25 for each area of need within Healthcare, Housing, Employment, and Education.
Research was done to find what each service offered; overlaps and constants were noted to use as final variables that could apply to each service on the final poster.
FIRST STEP
Final Design System​
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The final system of First Step includes icons that indicate which demographic the service organization serves, color-coded letters that correspond with a certain area of Cincinnati so users can see their proximity to where they needed to be, as well as number indicators to show certain income restrictions and levels.
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FIRST STEP
Final Design System​
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The final format is meant to flow from center to the outside edges, but can be utilized in whichever way is easiest to meet the clients need or needs. Dots within boxes show if that service fits with that variable or not, and variables are grouped by topic for easier readability and use.
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