Leef & Leer
[ Type ]
UX UI Design
[ Description ]
This project focuses on designing digital solutions for the OBA’s Leef & Leer department to better support Amsterdam’s volunteer network. By mapping available resources, connecting volunteers with community needs, and identifying gaps, the initiative aims to maximize the impact of volunteer efforts.
[ Year ]
2022
In a glance
Amsterdam hosts many volunteers who, with support from the public library (OBA, Leef & Leer) and volunteer organizations, teach reading, computer skills, or Dutch. However, poor communication with these organizations often leaves volunteers’ needs unmet, impacting their work. Improving these services was crucial for enhancing quality standars for volunteers and learners.
Impact
18% CR
During user testing in real scenario within 30 min.
50 atractions
From OBA visitors within
30 min
24% ER
12 interacted with the platform within 30min.
Contribution
I led research and UX design in this project while actively contributing to UI design. Collaborating closely with the team, I conducted user research and translated insights into actionable improvements for the product. Additionally, I was responsible for defining software requirements to ensure seamless handoff to developers.



The process
Research
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Research Methods: Literature review, surveys, conducted interviews with volunteers, and facilitated focus groups to explore motivations behind prosocial behavior. We attended OBA events and spoke with volunteers and organizations.
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Key Insights: Found that most volunteers weren’t motivated by external rewards like money, but rather by a well-structured and supportive environment, along with the desire to make a positive impact.
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Outcome: Used these insights to refine our approach—not just recruiting new volunteers, but also understanding how to build a supportive environment for long-term engagement.

Ideate & prototype
We organized co-ideation sessions with volunteers and stakeholders, we simplified the volunteer registration process by designing a touchscreen display at library entrances, helping thousands of visitors learn how to get involved.
We attended OBA events, spoke with volunteers and organizations, and identified the need for an online platform to unify and streamline the volunteering network.

Test & Iteration
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User Feedback & Refinements: Tested the platform with volunteers and adjusted features based on their needs, ensuring better usability and efficiency.
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Key iteration: Removed the chat feature due to feasibility constraints and replaced it with direct email links for streamlined communication.
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Impact: Improved access to schedules, resources, and support, helping volunteers stay organized and up to date, giving away the feeling of missing information.

Conclusion
In just four weeks, we took an agile create-measure-learn approach to quickly test ideas with early adopters. By staying flexible and listening to real users, we shaped a concept with validated features that actually made sense for them. This fast, hands-on process helped us design a smoother, more accessible volunteering network.

Challenges
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Attract more people to volunteer
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Find the needs of the volunteers and try to fulfill them
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Make ‘demand and offer’ more efficient
Outcomes
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An MVP prototype to develop the product
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Handover to developers
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Implementation document




