SWApp Mobile
The School Watching Application (SWApp) is part of the Comprehensive School Safety Project implemented by Save the Children Philippines (SCP) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). Funded by the Prudence Foundation, this initiative aims to bolster the safety and preparedness of schools across the Philippines by engaging students in identifying and mitigating potential hazards within their educational environments.
The SWApp mobile app aims to enhance students’ awareness of potential hazards and risks in and around their schools, foster their participation in disaster risk reduction by addressing vulnerabilities, and embed a culture of safety in their daily experiences.
Project Overview
As a UI/UX designer, the primary objective for the SWApp mobile app was to create an intuitive and engaging user experience that empowers students to actively participate in identifying and reporting hazards, thereby enhancing school safety.
The design objective for the SWApp mobile application was to create an engaging, intuitive, and functional tool specifically tailored for students. This app aims to empower students to actively participate in identifying and reporting hazards within their school environment, thereby contributing to a safer and more prepared school community.
Gathering Inspirations
As I delved into the project requirements and other details, I began exploring UI inspirations to create an engaging and appealing design that would captivate grade school students. My objective is to craft a user interface that is both visually appealing and user-friendly, effectively drawing in young users and encouraging them to utilize the app.
Creating the Flow
After gathering UI inspirations, the next crucial step is to understand and map out the flow of the app. This involves mapping out the steps users will take to achieve their objectives within the app and ensuring a smooth and intuitive navigation experience. Organizing the app’s content and features in a logical and hierarchical manner is also essential, determining the main sections, sub-sections, and their relationships to create a clear and consistent navigation structure.
Wireframes
Now that the app flow has been established, the next step is to create wireframe sketches to visualize the content and layout of each screen. This process allows you to experiment with different ideas and refine the user interface before investing time and resources into high-fidelity designs.
Product Screens
Results
The process began with a thorough review and confirmation phase, which took less than a month. During this time, we continuously assisted the developers on the layouts and interactions needed in the app’s flow.
After the review and confirmation phase, we moved forward with the development of the app. Over the course of a couple of months, we had several discussions to refine the app’s features and ensure it met the needs of the schools. Once the app was complete, we conducted a pilot test with a select group of schools to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
The pilot test provided valuable insights into the app’s usability and effectiveness, allowing us to make necessary adjustments before a wider release. This collaborative approach ensured that the final product met the needs of both the schools and the students, ultimately leading to a successful pilot and a solid foundation for future development.
Reflections
After the initial pilot release and gathering feedback, our team has been dedicated to continuously developing and refining the app. While I do have some personal preferences for improvements, such as color schemes and UI elements, the project’s budget constraints limit the scope of these changes. Nonetheless, this experience has been invaluable in helping me refine my approach for future projects.
The video created by Save the Children Foundation Philippines showcases the SWApp’s capabilities in fostering connections and engagement among grade schoolers. It offers valuable insights into how children use the application to navigate school premises safely and efficiently, helping them identify and avoid potential hazards.
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