The B.A.R.N

Animal rescuers heavily rely on informal networks, such as social media threads, to communicate. Through industry research and studies from major animal welfare organizations, I identified that this lack of centralized communication directly slows down rescue operations and prevents animals from getting noticed.

To advocate for this issue, I conceptualized and built a digital 3D exhibition space. Using Blender and Photoshop, I designed low poly 2D and 3D models, including the barn architecture, cat models, and interactive pawprint stepping stones, to physically guide users through the problem space before presenting the app solution.

To address the lack of dedicated communications systems, I designed a high-fidelity mobile experience that brings all rescue networking into a single platform. The interface prioritizes rescue-specific filtering options, clear urgency status indicators, and profile verification and endorsements to ensure animals are visible and receive proper care.

While developing the wireframes, accessibility was my primary focus. The interface needed to be intuitive enough for veteran rescuers and everyday people who just found a stray kitten outside. The resulting prototype translates complex rescue communications into an accessible experience with room to scale with rescue needs.

The B.A.R.N. challenged me to design beyond a single interface by considering the entire user journey from raising awareness of the problem through an interactive exhibition to proposing a practical digital solution. The project strengthened my ability to translate qualitative research into product features, balancing the needs of experienced and first-time rescuers. In future iterations, I would expand the user research phase to test the prototype with active animal rescue volunteers and identify additional ways the platform could support emergency communication networks.