Gentrifeye (Abundance of Youth)
Preserving local heritage by documenting cultural narratives and resisting displacement.
0->1 B2c tool
product design
cultural listening
Summary and Impact
Crafted with the community, not just for it
Building a 0-1 Mobile App
Residents resonated with Gentrifeye at our final exhibition, seeing it as a reflection of their identity.
User Willingness 2x'd
User adoption willingness doubled from 30% to 60%, validating the app’s value and relevance.
Thinking Long-term
Solution Preview
From news visibility to community storytelling, every design decision was implemented to build trust, spark connection, and make advocacy feel approachable, helping residents protect their cultural identity and drive real change.
preview of final hi-fi prototype
By transforming their work into a digital platform that highlights community stories and ongoing initiatives, AOY gains:
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Greater visibility, reaching smaller groups within the community.
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New partnerships or sponsorships for future work.
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Strengthened image as a trusted voice for local empowerment.
Introduction
What is "Abundance of Youth (AOY)"?
Abundance of Youth (AOY) is a San Diego based non-profit that uplifts creatives in crafting expressive, thought-provoking art pieces that shed light on various social, cultural, and economic issues faced by diverse communities.
The Problem Space
What is ‘gentrification’ and how does it apply here?
Defining the problem
Gentrification affects many areas all around the globe, and as someone whose seen culture fade first-hand, this work is a step toward visible and empowered advocacy.
Ahmed a.
“We left our home to give our kids a better life, but I'm not so sure about that anymore. The community is not what it once was.”
local mom & pop shop owner
father of 4
How might we design a platform that amplifies community voices, fosters collective courage, and safeguards cultural identity in the face of displacement and rapid development?
User Surveying / Initial Interviews
How has gentrification shaped daily life?
I began research through surveying 16 residents and interviewing 7 more. Each story revealed how isolating, exhausting, and emotionally taxing this reality is for residents fighting to stay rooted in their own neighborhoods.
mateo p.
“It’s tough to even get your voice out there. I’ve been to protests before, put up fliers, did everything I could but we still are being ignored and pushed out.”
city heights resident of 8 yrs
father of 2
History Erased
70% struggled to stay connected to their home community, with 18% feeling the loss was irreparable.
Diversity Shunned
63% said immigrants and other historically marginalized groups are targeted more often.
No one's a better storyteller than than the authors themselves
In applying cultural listening, key themes and trends in local challenges surfaced several times throughout conversations.
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Forced relocation
Rising housing costs have pushed residents out of their own neighborhoods.
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Lost connections
Community spaces began to fade, severing deep cultural and childhood ties.
Competitive Analysis
Clues are hidden in plain sight, you just have to look a bit closer
Many platforms share news and updates, but none truly confront the pressing challenges communities face head on. I wanted to bridge that gap by creating a space where residents could take immediate and focused action.
Nextdoor
✦ A local network where neighbors share updates & safety alerts.
✦ Lacks built-in tools for direct systemic advocacy.
GovOneStop
✦ A government services hub delivering alerts & resources.
✦ Not designed to facilitate community organizing.
LocalCircles
✦ Stay engaged & share local issues.
✦ Not designed to take action but instead share a collective voice.
Meetup
✦ Organize and join interest-based groups and events.
✦ Not focused on creating structural changes but rather short-term impact.
Lo-Fi Prototyping & A/B Testing
Testing is a designer’s bread and butter
Simplicity and accessibility across diverse age groups and backgrounds was essential, streamlining timelines and leaving room for further testing as I transitioned to the hi-fi stage.
Version A
✦ 42% felt iffy with how content was organized; stacked cards = overstimulation.
✦ 71% expressed this layout was easily navigable, but felt it may cause strain on the eyes over time.
Version B
✦ 37% liked the ‘Select a category’ button but felt confused with how it differs from below sections.
✦ 22% of participants wanted testimonials to be highlighted, suggesting to move it elsewhere.
Version C
✦ 83% felt the placement of both primary buttons were relevant and easy to use.
✦ 69% appreciated the dropdown ‘Select a category’ button as it's centralized and more prominent.
Minimalistic styling to reduce a steep learning curve
Each feature and CTA was crafted to empower action and rebuild community trust. I wanted to ensure that I was creating an experience that felt purposeful, human-centered, and easy to navigate through calm visuals and a logical layout.
Design System
Branding helps users resonate to a deeper meaning
AOY’s co-founders and I shared a vision of transforming Gentrifeye into a scalable digital extension of their services to reach a wider audience. To reflect this, I maintained consistency with AOY’s existing branding, including core visuals, fonts, and color schemes.
Final Solution
The light at the end of the tunnel
By sharing personal stories and staying informed on urgent local developments, locals feel less worrisome and conflicted about speaking out, enabling them to both reclaim and shape the narratives that authentically reflect who they are.
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Live search — immediate access to key resources at all times
✦ View breaking news in City Heights to stay informed and protect the community’s cultural identity.
✦ Reach out to local reps and policymakers directly to advocate for equitable change.
✦ Amplify community stories and headlines to preserve history, strengthen belonging, and resist cultural erasure.
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✦ Access helpful resources anytime, anywhere, offering users valuable materials and information on the go.
✦ Support local shops and actively engage in community spaces to help strengthen and enrich the neighborhood.
✦ Discover AOY’s story, explore current initiatives, and stay updated on future opportunities to get involved.
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✦ Highlights urgent community issues and the need for relevant tech that solves real-world problems.
✦ Elevates local voices by amplifying heartfelt testimonials that reveal daily life and build empathy.
✦ Fosters belonging and purpose by linking users to community stories, inspiring unified action against harmful projects.
Reflections & Takeaways
I was initially overwhelmed by the volume and depth of residents’ stories, so to stay grounded and design responsibly, I:
Prioritized consistent check-ins and clear documentation.
Turned insights into a steady guide for decision-making.
Led with empathy to navigate the complexity with intention.
This was my second time tackling a deep-rooted issue as the sole researcher and designer, and I:
Learned to seek support to avoid burnout.
Managed solo responsibilities but stayed open to collabing.
Set realistic timelines that allowed me to deliver a thoughtful end-to-end prototype.
