Groundcover

connnect

Ann Arbor local newspaper Groundcover News supports individuals experiencing homelessness by employing them as newspaper vendors, helping them earn a direct income. I designed Groundcover Connect, an app aimed at improving these interactions by enabling users to easily locate vendors, read their personal stories, and purchase papers directly through the app. Take a look at my first introduction to community design initiative!

Groundcover Connect

Project | March 2024 | 1 month

Project Overview

what is

groundcover?

Groundcover News is an Ann Arbor-based street newspaper dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering a more just and inclusive community. Written and sold by individuals impacted by poverty, it provides both economic opportunities and a platform for self-expression, promoting meaningful connections and positive change in Washtenaw County.

What is groundcover CONNECT ?

Groundcover News is an Ann Arbor-based street newspaper dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering a more just and inclusive community. Written and sold by individuals impacted by poverty, it provides both economic opportunities and a platform for self-expression, promoting meaningful connections and positive change in Washtenaw County.
Groundcover Connect is a digital platform designed to support Groundcover News vendors and readers by bridging gaps in accessibility and communication. The app features vendor and reader profiles, direct support to vendors, and a map to locate vendors around Ann Arbor. Focused on simplicity, usability, and security, the project aimed to empower vendors while staying true to Groundcover’s mission of fostering community and inclusion.

ROLE

Site Design

ToolS

Figma

challenges

UX methods

Surveys     Competitive Research Wireframing
Designing Groundcover Connect required balancing security concerns with accessibility to meet the unique needs of both vendors and readers. Ensuring the platform was secure while maintaining simplicity and usability was a key challenge, as it needed to empower vendors and provide a seamless experience for readers.

Key takeaways

Empathy played a huge role in designing Groundcover Connect. Hearing vendors share their experiences (like how people would not have to  buy a paper) inspired me to add Venmo links to vendor profiles, making it easier for people to support them. This whole process taught me how important it is to truly listen to users; their stories helped me create a solution that feels more personal and impactful.