UI/UX Design

BC SPCA
Re-Design

BC SPCA Website Re-Design Project

The Re-Design of the BC SPCA website was a team project at Brainstation. We were to take the existing design, do a heuristic evaluation and see where room for improvement could be made. The user flow we chose was a simple process of applying to foster a cat and go through a simple application process. We made several flow improvements as well as many aesthetic and navigation changes to make the user experience more intuitive and easier.

Role

Team Project
UI/UX Designer

Software

Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator

Details

2021

BC SPCA Prototype Link

Project Goals

Create a simple process to foster animals through an application on the BC SPCA website.

Problem Space

In BC more foster families are needed as the SPCA sees a greater influx of vulnerable animals. Due to the high amount of animals needing fostering and rescuing the Fraser Valley rescue is unable to take in more cats along with other animals do to a foster home shortage.

My Role

Redesigning the SPCA website was a team project consisting of 4 people. My primary role was to create high-fidelity designs in addition to wireframes and sketches. In addition to this, we had overlapping roles for user testing the site as well as research and user interviews.

Design Challenge & Constraints

The current application process to foster and adopt an animal from the BC SPCA is a staggering 22-page application process.

Amongst these issues, we also found the fostering page is difficult to find. Based on user research we found that people wanted a hybrid approach to the application process and no more than a 10-15 minute online application combined with virtual or in-person meetings to screen and complete the application. We redesigned the user flow throughout the application process in addition to updating the website aesthetics and navigation to find the fostering and animal pages easier.

Hypothesis

We believe that improving the foster onboarding experience using digital technology will result in an increase in successful foster applications with less animals in need of a foster home.

Secondary Research

Key Findings

Social Isolation

A 2006 study highlighted social isolation as a primary stressor for dogs living in shelters.

Benefits of Foster Homes

A follow up study found that moving dogs into foster homes caused a significant drop in their cortisol levels (stress hormones)

Allows for more expression and body language

A 2019 study revealed that fostering programs produced better behavior outcomes for shelter animals, leading to higher rates of adoption overall.

In person is less rigid and systematic

Without foster programs, nearly half of the 6–8 million animals that enter rescue shelters every year are euthanized due to shelter overcrowding.

User Interview Findings

Based on secondary research we created a list of questions about the application process for the SPCA and reached out to interview individuals who have or are interested in fostering or adopting animals.

Emotionally Motivated

People are emotionally motivated to foster and want to help shelters, and prevent animals from being euthanized due to shelter overcrowding.

Applicants feel overwhelmed

Applicants feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they have to fill out upfront and lack a clear understanding of the overall application process.

Set clear expectations

Aspiring foster parents want the BC SPCA to set clear expectations around foster parent criteria, time commitments, and living space requirements.

Applications maximum of 10 minutes

Aspiring foster parents report wanting to spend a maximum of 10 minutes on an initial form, but are more willing to spend time speaking directly with shelter workers.

How Might We

How might we empower prospective foster parents throughout the application process, so that more animals can find homes.

Persona – Julie

Julie is 24 years old and an avid cat lover, but she’s never had a
pet of her own before. Julie knows that shelters have been
struggling recently, and since she now has some flexibility
working from home, she’s decided to try her hand at fostering.

Motivations & Goals

Wants a cat, but isn’t ready to commit to a long-term adoption at this stage in her life.
Loves animals and wants to help BC SPCA foster so they can continue taking in animals in need
Wants to help shelters with recent influx of rescue animals

Pain Points

Doesn’t have a good understanding of what fostering a cat entails
Struggled to find the foster page on the BC SPCA website
Overwhelmed by the BC SPCA’s fostering application

spca Application

User Flow

Process

After evaluating the SPCA we did secondary and primary research followed by a user journey map to evaluate the application process. We created several versions of sketches and wireframes based on user testing prior to creating high-fidelity designs.

Design Solution

The new application process, as well as web design, met our project goals and our original hypothesis was validated. People saw the value in the new optimized flow for the application process and the pain points were addressed.

Challenges

Primary challenges arose around the large 22-page application process and redesigning it to a hybrid model of online application and virtual meeting. In addition to this streamlining the questions and keeping the applicant updated as to the general status of where they are in the application process.

BC SPCA Wireframes V1

Landing Page

FAQ – Begin Application

Animal Selection

Application Stages

Animal Info

Completed Application

BC SPCA WebSite