The existing website was hindering the adoption process. Users, particularly prospective adoptive parents, felt overwhelmed and disengaged while exploring profiles of foster children. The site lacked emotional depth and failed to motivate users to complete their journeys.

Adoption is an emotional, deeply personal decision. Our primary goal was to slow down the user’s thought process and create a space for reflection. By simplifying content and reducing decision fatigue, we shifted focus from overwhelming details to the child's story, promoting a more heartfelt connection.

Filters based on age, gender, and ethnicity were allowing users to exclude certain children, leading to unintended discrimination.

The youth profile page initially required a 10-second scroll, presenting too much information at once. This not only overwhelmed users but also diverted their attention from the youth's story, preventing them from engaging emotionally.

To address potential bias and create a more inclusive experience, we intentionally grouped sensitive categories such as race, culture, and ethnicity under a "More" option. This design choice was made to prevent users from making quick, biased decisions based on these factors, ensuring that the children were viewed as individuals rather than filtered by characteristics.

In line with Miller’s Law, which states that people can only remember 7±2 items at once, we limited the information on the youth profile page to just two key lines. This helped reduce cognitive overload, ensuring that users could focus on each child as an individual rather than being distracted by too much information.

The final prototype transforms the website into a space where prospective families can slow down and engage meaningfully with each child’s story. By simplifying the layout and removing bias-inducing filters, we ensured that the focus remains on each child's individuality, fostering more thoughtful and emotional connections.

We developed a comprehensive design system based on principles of user-centricity, creativity, accessibility, inclusion, emphasis, and consistency. This system ensured that every design element contributed to a cohesive and emotionally resonant user experience.

We selected a color palette that communicates brightness and warmth to evoke feelings of hope and connection. Utilizing Airbnb's Cereal font for its roundness and clarity, we enhanced readability and contributed to a friendly and approachable interface. Additionally, we ensured accessibility by maintaining adequate contrast ratios.

This project was a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with design. Every choice we make—from the layout to the colors—can influence emotions and decisions.

By prioritizing empathy and user needs, we crafted a website that not only meets functional requirements but also fosters meaningful connections. This experience has reinforced my belief in the power of design to drive positive societal change and has equipped me with valuable insights for future projects.