The Gitcoin Grants redesign project was initiated to tackle significant usability and engagement challenges within the platform. As the sole product designer, I identified the need to enhance the experience for two key user groups: project creators seeking funding and community members eager to support open-source projects. The platform's navigation, project discovery, and submission processes were notably cumbersome, impacting user satisfaction and engagement.

My research focused on understanding the specific needs and frustrations of our personas: Alex, a project creator; Jordan, a community supporter; and Sofia, a hybrid user engaging in both supporting and creating projects. Through surveys and analysis, I uncovered that Alex struggled with the complex project submission process, Jordan desired a more personalized project discovery experience, and Sofia needed a seamless way to switch between her dual roles. These insights were pivotal in guiding the redesign efforts.

Armed with these insights, I defined the project's primary objectives: simplifying the submission process for creators like Alex, enhancing discovery mechanisms for supporters like Jordan, and introducing a toggle feature for hybrid users like Sofia. My aim was to create a more intuitive, engaging, and supportive platform that addressed the specific needs of these personas.

I developed key features to meet these objectives: a toggle for easy role switching, a rewards system to incentivize donations, and personalized project recommendations. Prototyping and iterative testing were crucial in refining these features, ensuring they effectively resolved the personas' pain points and improved the overall user experience.

The deliverables for this project include a detailed set of wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes showcasing the proposed improvements. While the redesigned platform has yet to be launched, these deliverables represent a comprehensive approach to addressing the identified challenges and enhancing the Gitcoin Grants experience based on targeted user needs.