Jana Buchtova
One
Helps refugees to start fresh.
Client: Private project
My Role: As the sole creator of this project, I was responsible for everything. My primary focus was on crafting a user-centered prototype that addressed the unique challenges faced by refugees, ensuring that the design was accessible, intuitive, and impactful.
Target Audience: Refugees
Project timeline: 3 weeks
Design toolkit
Figma, FigJam, Google Sheet, Airtable, Miro
Design process
Design Thinking process:
1. Empathise, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype, 5. Test
The problem
Refugees often face significant barriers when trying to access essential services such as housing, food, healthcare, and legal assistance. These challenges are compounded by language barriers, unfamiliarity with local systems, and a lack of reliable tools to navigate available resources. Current solutions are either too complex or not tailored to their specific needs, leaving refugees feeling isolated, frustrated, and unable to address their immediate concerns effectively. This results in delays in accessing critical support, increased stress, and difficulties in integrating into their new communities.
The primary goal of this project is to develop a user-centric mobile application that provides essential support for refugees by connecting them to critical resources. The app aims to empower refugees by offering an intuitive platform that addresses their immediate needs, supports their long-term stability, and fosters integration into their communities.
The
goal
Research
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A one-on-one interview- qualitative research method
7 participants
Some of the interview questions:
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How do you find information or get help with things like housing, healthcare, or food?
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Have you ever had trouble with language when trying to get the help or services you need? How do you usually manage?
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Do you use your phone or any apps to help with things like getting around, translating, or finding services? If so, which ones do you like?
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Have you been able to meet or connect with local groups or organizations for support? What was that like for you?
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What would help you feel more settled and comfortable here? Is there something that would make life a bit easier or less stressful?
Research
Qualitative & quantitative research method
3 different apps: FindHello
RefAid
Refugee Text
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Research
findings
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Finding a shelter is problematic especially for bigger families.
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Many refugees struggled with language barriers and varying levels of literacy.
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Refugees are feeling isolated and a would like to connect with others in similar situations.
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There is a lack of quick access to services categorized by urgency and relevance.
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Refugees often don't know where to seek legal assistance.
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Many refugees don't have any education.
Refugees face significant challenges with daily necessities, such as securing food, housing, and healthcare, due to language barriers, limited access to technology, and unfamiliarity with local systems. These challenges are compounded by social isolation, difficulty in accessing accurate information, and the lack of a cohesive support system. The core issue is to bridge the gap between refugees and essential services in a way that is easily accessible and culturally inclusive.
Competitor analysis
I looked at 3 different apps for refugees
Strengths:
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Provides a comprehensive directory of local services, including employment opportunities, legal assistance and healthcare.
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Features an intuitive map-based interface, allowing users to locate nearby resources easily.
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Offers multilingual support.
Weaknesses:
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Primarily focused on the United States.
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Requires internet connectivity.
FindHello
RefAid
Strengths:
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Provides real-time information on services like housing, healthcare, and legal aid.
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Features a user-friendly interface with multilingual support.
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Offers geolocation services to help users find nearby resource.
Weaknesses: -
Requires internet connectivity, which may be limited for some users.
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Information accuracy depends on regular updates from service providers.
Strengths:
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Offers information via SMS, making it accessible without a smartphone or internet connection.
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Provides timely updates on services, legal information, and safety alerts.
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Supports multiple languages to reach a broad audience.
Weaknesses: -
Limited to text-based information, lacking multimedia content.
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Dependent on mobile network availability.
Refugee Text
Affinity mapping
This categorization allowed me to focus on the most pressing user needs.

Empathy map
Understanding Refugees Through Empathy Map
Feels
Hopeful about building a stable life and connecting with the community.
Anxious about navigating unfamiliar systems and processes.
Overwhelmed by the number of things they need to learn and do in a new place.
Think
Learning new language is challenging and stressful.
I don’t want to feel lost or alone here.
It would be great if I could find everything I need in one place.
Says
I want to find work and support my family.
I need help finding food and shelter quickly.
How do I navigate legal processes here?
Who can I contact in an emergency?
Does
Searches for basic needs like food, housing, and emergency contacts.
Looks for job or education opportunities to integrate and support themselves.
Engages with local events and community groups to build social connections.
The problem statement
"Refugees are struggling to access trustworthy, relevant, and essential services efficiently because they face challenges like language barriers, inconsistent information, and lack of platforms tailored to their unique needs and situations. If we can solve this problem, it would positively impact refugees by helping them access critical resources independently and with confidence, while also benefiting this platform by becoming a trusted, user-centered solution that fosters community integration and independence."
Persona
For this project I created two personas.
SARA AND NADIA
"I want to finish my studies, find work, and support my daughter so that she can have a good life."

Goals
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Complete her bachelor's degree
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Learn Norwegian
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Access financial aid and scholarship
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Live in nice house and build social network
Language
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Arabic
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English
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Age: 36
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Country of Origin: Sudan
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Current Location: Norway
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Education: Partly completed a degree in Nutrition
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Daughter Nadia- 4 years old
Technology
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Comfortable using smartphone, social media and offline learning platforms.
Information
architecture

Task
&
User flow


Low-fidelity
wireframes
Testing
Method: In-person, Unmoderated
Number of participants: 2
Task 1: Sign up- watch introduction video- find support for asylum application.
Goal: Simplify the sign-up flow, and check the ease of finding information related to asylum help.
Task 2: Sign up- skip the introduction video- search for a shelter.
Goal: Assess how intuitive the app is without the introduction video and the ease of fanding a shelter.
After testing- findings
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Simplify the sign-up process by reducing the number of required fields.
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Improve the the introduction video to ensure users understand its purpose.
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Add a skip option for the introduction video for users who want to proceed directly to tasks.
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Use more visual icons to support users with limited literacy or language skills.
Touch & Feel
High-fidelity wireframes
This flow demonstrates how users can navigate the app to donate or access essential resources. It highlights key pathways and features without showcasing every screen.

Donate
options


Choose
amount and payment method
Sign up

Create
profile


Lear how to use the app or skip the introduction
video
Skip creating profile and introduction video. Explore the main menu.


Select Asylum process
support
and connect with US
Find all you necessities you need

Having a problem finding shelter? Go to Help and support.
Find shelter



See shelters
in your area and check availability
Colors and Font Family
