Design System: The Underdogs
Design a product ecosystem that extends beyond the screen. Your solution must include multiple touchpoints across multiple channels. These components must work together in supporting a user or a community of users as they attempt to achieve some practical goal.
Define and Research
I initially chose the broad problem space of conservation efforts as a focus for my project. My first step was defining the problem space by creating a territory map.
I then conducted user research to help me narrow my project focus through a survey and interviews. I realized there is a focus on "bigger" and more "charismatic" endangered animals in most media, leaving many species that are under-appreciated and not widely known. In my mind, these less talked about animals are the underdogs in conservation efforts, which led me to start imagining a team of superheroes...
The Solution
A family-oriented system that encourages the adoption of sustainable habits by creating emotional connection and continued engagement with species conservation. A humorous picture book sparks excitement for caregivers and children, which is then channeled into an app that guides users through taking actionable steps with delightful characters that represent under-acknowledged endangered species.
To demonstrate the potential of each component, I created mock-up pages of both the book and the app that establish playful yet informative language and vivid imagery. I wrote and researched the content of these mock-ups while also designing and illustrating a character from The Underdogs team - Superfrog. Additionally, I explored what the architecture of the app might look like through a flow diagram.
The Underdogs Book
The Underdogs App
