Bizdenkimvar is a Turkish professional networking platform designed for business professionals, accessible through both websites and mobile apps. It serves as a hub where Turkish individuals can effortlessly connect with like-minded professionals who share similar occupations, fostering global connections regardless of geographical location.
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Challenge
Language barriers present substantial challenges for Turkish individuals, posing a threat to their business plans when operating in a foreign country. This difficulty extends beyond business and can be encountered in various circumstances abroad. While platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn exist, there remains a substantial need for a dedicated platform that facilitates Turks in finding companions globally.
My responsibilities
Product design
Prototyping
User resting
User persona mapping
Branding
Web design
Mobile desgin
As part of the initial research, we examined similar websites (such as Google search and LinkedIn) to empathize with users and identify typical structures, layouts, and functionalities of similar sites. This process enabled us to understand what worked well and what didn't, informing our efforts to enhance the user experience.
User journey map
We are currently immersing ourselves in Selin's experiences as an exchange student in Berlin. The User Journey Map helps us understand the challenges she faces and the steps she takes to overcome them. Here is a summary of our findings:
Selin encounters difficulties in making friends on campus due to language barriers and the impact of Covid. Although she uses various platforms to meet new people, the overwhelming options make it challenging to know where to start. Time constraints further limit her ability to review all student profiles and send messages.
Selin hesitates to message unfamiliar people, fearing her actions may not be perceived as friendly.
While attempting to plan outings to a Turkish restaurant with friends from her social circle, Selin faces challenges as they are either busy or lack the same passion for Turkish food. Despite craving a taste of home, she dislikes doing things alone, leading to a weekend spent alone at home watching Turkish shows in bed.
Living away from home often induces feelings of homesickness, making it harder to forge new connections and socialize with others who share similar interests. Bizdenkimvar targets this audience, aiming to connect individuals like Selin and Ozlem.
In this scenario, Selin can search for people in Berlin working in the Science industry. If her attempt to connect with Ozlem is unsuccessful, she can easily find other Turkish individuals interested in enjoying a cup of coffee with baklava.
Facilitate user connections with others residing in the same area or with similar professions.
Empower users with the ability to customise their privacy settings.
Provide users with greater control over the sharing of personal details.
Streamline and simplify settings options, ensuring relevance to users.
Enhance communication by allowing users to chat with each other on a secure platform.
The highlight of this project was being the sole designer tasked with handling both the mobile and website aspects. Although it presented some challenges, the successful outcome proved to be a valuable career growth opportunity. I appreciated the simplicity and practicality of the business and app idea. Despite facing a significant problem, the solution was effective without unnecessarily complicating matters—keeping it simple and practical.
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