Social Impact · Community · 0→1
HeartB — Designing a 0-to-1 Social Impact App
Designing and validating a comprehensive social platform from concept to investment-ready prototype as the sole product designer.
Designing and validating a comprehensive social platform from concept to investment-ready prototype as the sole product designer.
The HeartB foundation approached me with an ambitious but undefined vision: create a single app connecting people facing problems — like lack of clean water access — with those offering solutions, anchored in human rights principles.
The challenge wasn't just designing an interface — it was distilling a massive, global concept into a focused, buildable product that could attract real investment.
I was responsible for the entire design process — from distilling a massive global concept into a focused buildable product, to creating the investor-ready prototype that served as HeartB's primary fundraising asset. I used my anthropological and business skills to provide valuable strategic input alongside the UX work.
Recognizing our users would often be people in distress with varying tech literacy, I architected the "request help" flow to require a maximum of three taps — ensuring urgent problems could be reported regardless of technical skills. This constraint became the guiding principle for every subsequent design decision.
I designed three systems to build community trust: a ProductHunt-inspired voting mechanism surfacing urgent needs, an Expert Directory connecting users with verified specialists, and Community Groups fostering peer-to-peer support networks.
I created a comprehensive interactive prototype and conducted moderated usability sessions with target users, validating both usability and emotional resonance — critical for a social impact platform where connection drives engagement.
The user-validated prototype became the foundation of HeartB's investor pitch, transforming an abstract social mission into a tangible, fundable product vision that demonstrated both user value and commercial potential.