CONNECT 'N' CARE
Case Study
CONNECT 'N' CARE
Visualization and Creativity, Fall 2022
Analyze and respond to current issues within a specific community through extensive research and collaboration with audiences. Create an infographic for the general public about the issue and then develop a design solution that will aid your chosen community. Gain knowledge on user-centered and socially conscious design.
RESEARCH
IDEATION
I elected to conduct research and design an infographic on Foster Care in Florida, with the objective of creating a visual representation that educates the public on the foster system and encourages support for local foster communities. I began brainstorming by utilizing the mind map technique that explored different avenues that I could research. I incorporated statistical data, key organizations within the foster community, and briefly touched on potential solutions and objectives of the infographic.
​PRIMARY RESEARCH
I conducted interviews with several individuals that I know personally who have been involved in the foster care system, either as foster parents or coordinators of wrap-around services. The interviews were designed to elicit their perspectives on the foster care system and their experiences in supporting foster families, without being intrusive.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
I collected data from various academic journals, government statistic reports, articles, and non-profit organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing issues in the foster care community. My goal was to present this information in an accessible manner that would encourage further exploration of the topic.
OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH
I conducted an analysis of publicly accessible social media accounts associated with government departments and organizations involved in foster care. This approach allowed me to gain insight into the community without compromising the sensitive and private nature of the information, or infringing on the rights to privacy of those involved. The chosen accounts are that of public organizations, which ensures that the information shared is publicly available.
INFOGRAPHIC POSTER
Infographic: A collection of imagery, data visualizations like pie charts and bar graphs, and minimal text that gives an easy-to-understand overview of a topic.
VOLUNTEER
FOSTER PARENT
SKETCHES
I began the design phase by creating sketches of various formats for presenting information about foster care in an attention-grabbing manner. I also researched various infographic examples to inform the structure and presentation of statistical data. The final design concept utilizes a house as a visual metaphor, as it aligns with the core purpose of Foster Care, which is to provide love, care, and a temporary home for children during difficult times.
DRAFTS
I developed multiple iterations of the infographic poster and evaluated various typography, information, color schemes and layouts to most effectively inform and educate the audience on the topic of the foster care system in Florida.
VISUAL LANGUAGE
COLOR SCHEME
#6CC2DE
#F2B82A
#CC6262
#90CC8D
#005178
#AF5F1B
#A62D33
#90CC8D
#FBFBFB
#3A4143
Colors: Bright and eye-catching colors welcome viewers into the "home" to learn more.
TYPOGRAPHY
Titles & Numbers
Subtitles:
Body Text:
Typography: The use of sans-serif typefaces enhances readability from a distance, while the stylized title font serves to add a touch of playfulness, complementing the design of the icons.
ICONS
Icons: Round, gender-neutral icons of both adults and children are used to visually emphasize the diversity and versatility of familial configurations.
FINAL INFOGRAPHIC
DESIGN SOLUTION
I designed an app, Connect ‘ N ‘ Care, that connect community volunteers with families that have decided to open their hearts and home to foster children.
IDEATION
During the research process and interviews conducted for the infographic, I gained an understanding of the challenges faced by foster families and the importance of a supportive community. However, I also identified a lack of resources for individuals to find or build community support systems. I, once again, used the mind mapping technique to generate ideas for the development of an app that facilitates the creation and growth of foster family support communities.
LO-FI PROTOTYPE
In my research, I discovered several mobile app that connect foster families with their caseworkers or offer information on foster care; however, none of them focused on facilitating community support. I saw the potential for an app that promotes communication among families and coordinates community care systems.
CONNECT 'N' CARE VISUAL LANGUAGE
COLOR SCHEME
#6CC2DE
#005178
#AF5F1B
#F2B82A
#D3E9EF
#999999
#A62D33
#FBFBFB
#CC6262
#FFF3D5
I selected tints and shades of the blue and yellow hues from the infographic for their symbolic significance, with blue representing sensitivity and trust, and yellow embodying happiness and hope.
APP ICON
The app icon effectively communicates the concept of support and embrace, symbolized by the arms enveloping the depicted foster family in a warm and protective hug.
ICONS
The illustrative icons found in the infographic symbolize the areas of wrap around support, and more straightforward, common icons for navigation purposes.
TYPOGRAPHY
Titles:
Primary Body Text:
Secondary Body Text:
Typographical hierarchy is created by using variations in typeface weight to convey importance and differentiation. The sans-serif font is characterized by its simplicity and legibility, contributing to the overall user experience.
HI-FI PROTOTYPE
The Hi-Fi prototype successfully established a clear and intuitive navigation flow on both the foster parent and community support facets of the app and included photographs, a message board, and a sample meal train request form for foster parents to fill out.
