The Prototype
The Prototype
The Prototype
The Prototype
The Prototype
rirandzu.ngobeni@gmail.com
rirandzu.ngobeni@gmail.com
Why This Direction?
Why This Direction?
The visual language helps create a platform that young South Africans can trust, relate to and feel empowered. Colours and typography were deliberately used and carefully chosen
The visual language helps create a platform that young South Africans can trust, relate to and feel empowered. Colours and typography were deliberately used and carefully chosen
The visual language helps create a platform that young South Africans can trust, relate to and feel empowered. Colours and typography were deliberately used and carefully chosen
The visual language helps create a platform that young South Africans can trust, relate to and feel empowered. Colours and typography were deliberately used and carefully chosen
Your Voice
Your Voice
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
Role
Role
Role
What if understanding the voting process was as easy as using your favourite app?
What if understanding the voting process was as easy as using your favourite app?
What if understanding the voting process was as easy as using your favourite app?
What if understanding the voting process was as easy as using your favourite app?
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
4 Weeks
4 Weeks
4 Weeks
Discovery & Research
Discovery & Research
Discovery & Research
Discovery & Research
rirandzu.ngobeni@gmail.com
Get in touch
Designing for Democracy: Youth Voter Education
Overview
This project focused on designing a mobile voter education platform for South African youth. With turnout among 18–29 year-olds below 20%, the goal was to create a clear, impartial, and accessible space where young people can learn about registration, the voting process, and their rights—while encouraging greater participation in future elections.
Problem
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections—leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy
Solution
I designed a mobile-first prototype that simplifies voting information with clear flows, visual storytelling, and approachable UI to build trust and engagement among young voters
RN
Projects
Contact
Figma, Canva, Word
Figma, Canva, Word
Figma, Canva, Word
Figma, Canva, Word
Tools
Tools
Tools
Overview
Overview
Overview
This project explores how design can address youth voter apathy in South Africa by making voting information more accessible, engaging, and trustworthy.
The goal was to design a mobile-first Voter Education Platform that simplifies the voting process while encouraging young people to feel more confident and empowered to participate in elections
This project explores how design can address youth voter apathy in South Africa by making voting information more accessible, engaging, and trustworthy.
The goal was to design a mobile-first Voter Education Platform that simplifies the voting process while encouraging young people to feel more confident and empowered to participate in elections
This project explores how design can address youth voter apathy in South Africa by making voting information more accessible, engaging, and trustworthy.
The goal was to design a mobile-first Voter Education Platform that simplifies the voting process while encouraging young people to feel more confident and empowered to participate in elections
This project explores how design can address youth voter apathy in South Africa by making voting information more accessible, engaging, and trustworthy.
The goal was to design a mobile-first Voter Education Platform that simplifies the voting process while encouraging young people to feel more confident and empowered to participate in elections
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Make info easy to understand
Content is broken into small, digestable steps using plain language and clear visuals
1
Build trust through clarity
Neutral tone, transparent information and credible sources increase confidence
2
The experience is optimised for mobile devices, where young users reside
Design for mobile-frist
3
The Direction
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
The Direction
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
The Direction
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
The Direction
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
MOODBOARD
MOODBOARD
MOODBOARD
MOODBOARD
MOODBOARD
Colour Palette
Colour Palette
Primary
Primary
Secondary
Secondary
Neutral
Neutral
A balance of familiar blues based off brand identification
A balance of familiar blues based off brand identification
Typography
Typography
Aa
Aa
Inter
Inter
Aa
Aa
Roboto Flex
Roboto Flex
Clean, modern text, comprehensable by many
H1 Roboto Flex, 36px
H2 Roboto Flex, 24px
H3 Roboto Flex, 20px
Body Texts Inter, 17px
Logo
Logo
Logo for association
User Flow
Research revealed that users often felt overwhelmed and were unsure where to start
So i implemented a user flow that focused on the 3 actions users needed most: Registration, Stus check and understanding the voting process
Research revealed that users often felt overwhelmed and were unsure where to start
So i implemented a user flow that focused on the 3 actions users needed most: Registration, Stus check and understanding the voting process
Research revealed that users often felt overwhelmed and were unsure where to start
So i implemented a user flow that focused on the 3 actions users needed most: Registration, Stus check and understanding the voting process
From Wireframe
Before moving into high-fidelity designs, I explored different layouts and content structures through wireframes
This helped me prioritise ceraain information, establishing a clear journey and validate the placement of key actions before focusing on visual design
Before moving into high-fidelity designs, I explored different layouts and content structures through wireframes
This helped me prioritise ceraain information, establishing a clear journey and validate the placement of key actions before focusing on visual design
MID-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
MID-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES (Scroll >)
Key Decisions
Key Decisions
Registration, registration status and voting guidance were surfaced as primary actions based on the findings
Registration, registration status and voting guidance were surfaced as primary actions based on the findings
Prioritised core actions
Prioritised core actions
Content was organised into smaller sections and clear steps to make voting information easier to scan and understand
Content was organised into smaller sections and clear steps to make voting information easier to scan and understand
Reduce Cognitive Load
Reduce Cognitive Load
Layouts were designed around mobile usage platforms ensuring important information remained accessible even on smaller screens
Layouts were designed around mobile usage platforms ensuring important information remained accessible even on smaller screens
Mobile first structure
Mobile first structure
To Interface
Once the structure and user journey were validated through the wireframes, I translated the experience into high-fidelity screens.
I wanted to create a mobile-first platform that balanced accessibility and clarity
Once the structure and user journey were validated through the wireframes, I translated the experience into high-fidelity screens.
I wanted to create a mobile-first platform that balanced accessibility and clarity
To Interface
Once the structure and user journey were validated through the wireframes, I translated the experience into high-fidelity screens.
I wanted to create a mobile-first platform that balanced accessibility and clarity
HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
The final Prototype brings together the research, strategy and design decisions into a mobile-first experience that helps the South African youth understand the voting process with confidance.
The experience focuses on clarity, accessibility and trust, guiding users through key actions like registration, checking registration status and learning how election works
The final Prototype brings together the research, strategy and design decisions into a mobile-first experience that helps the South African youth understand the voting process with confidance.
The experience focuses on clarity, accessibility and trust, guiding users through key actions like registration, checking registration status and learning how election works
The final Prototype brings together the research, strategy and design decisions into a mobile-first experience that helps the South African youth understand the voting process with confidance.
The experience focuses on clarity, accessibility and trust, guiding users through key actions like registration, checking registration status and learning how election works
The final Prototype brings together the research, strategy and design decisions into a mobile-first experience that helps the South African youth understand the voting process with confidance.
The experience focuses on clarity, accessibility and trust, guiding users through key actions like registration, checking registration status and learning how election works
Key Features
Key Features
Simple navigation designed for quick access to essential voting information on any mobile device
Simple navigation designed for quick access to essential voting information on any mobile device
mobile-first naviagtion
Step-by-step guidance and clear instructions reduce uncertainty and make the process easier
Step-by-step guidance and clear instructions reduce uncertainty and make the process easier
Registration guidance
Clean hierarchy and official branding creates credible experiences that users rely on
Clean hierarchy and official branding creates credible experiences that users rely on
Trust-focused interface
Simple language, strong contrast and clear layouts make information easy to understand for all
Simple language, strong contrast and clear layouts make information easy to understand for all
Accessibility
Accessibility
Impact & Outcomes
Improved clarity
Mobile-first accessibility
Stronger trust & engagement
Complete voting information was broken down into easy-to follow steps, making it simpler for young voters to understand the process
The experience is optimised for mobile users, reflecting the way young South Africans generally access information
A neutral, official and youth-friendly visual language encourages confidence and empowers more young people to participate
Future Opportunities
Usability Testing
Multilingual support
Personalised reminders
Continuos Improvement
Test the prototype with first-time voters to identify pain points and refine the experience
Expand the platform to include additional South African language for broader reach
Introduce notifications and remainders for registration deadlines and election day
Analyse data and feedback to continuously improve content, navigation and accessibility
Takeaways
Takeaways
Designing for trust doesn't always mean sacrificing personality. This project taught me the importance of balancing credibility with visual language that resonates with young people. Clarity and simplicity are powerful tools in empowering communities and encouraging civic participation
Small design decisions cam make a big impact when the goal is to empower people and build a better future.
Designing for trust doesn't always mean sacrificing personality. This project taught me the importance of balancing credibility with visual language that resonates with young people. Clarity and simplicity are powerful tools in empowering communities and encouraging civic participation
Small design decisions cam make a big impact when the goal is to empower people and build a better future.
Helping youth South Africans build financial confidence throguh playful. empowering and gamified learning experience
Helping youth South Africans build financial confidence throguh playful. empowering and gamified learning experience
LET'S TALK MOOLA
LET'S TALK MOOLA
LET'S TALK MOOLA
© 2025 RANDZU NGOBENI - UX DESIGNER - PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
Ready when you are
Ready when you are
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Desgn Strategy
Desgn Strategy
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
Primary Research
Primary Research
Primary Research
Primary Research
short interviews were conducted with individuals aged 18–29 to understand their attitudes toward voting, their level of knowledge about the process, and what might motivate them to engage more actively.
short interviews were conducted with individuals aged 18–29 to understand their attitudes toward voting, their level of knowledge about the process, and what might motivate them to engage more actively.
short interviews were conducted with individuals aged 18–29 to understand their attitudes toward voting, their level of knowledge about the process, and what might motivate them to engage more actively.
short interviews were conducted with individuals aged 18–29 to understand their attitudes toward voting, their level of knowledge about the process, and what might motivate them to engage more actively.
short interviews were conducted with individuals aged 18–29 to understand their attitudes toward voting, their level of knowledge about the process, and what might motivate them to engage more actively.
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Young South Africans often feel their vote doesn’t matter and struggle to access reliable, engaging information about elections, leading to low turnout and ongoing apathy.
The challenge was not just informational, It was emotional and trust-based
Secondary Research
“
“
Voting feels like this huge thing no one ever actually properly explains to us
Voting feels like this huge thing no one ever actually properly explains to us
Voting feels like this huge thing no one ever actually properly explains to us
Voting feels like this huge thing no one ever actually properly explains to us
“
“
It’s not that I don’t care. I just don’t know enough about how it all works.
It’s not that I don’t care. I just don’t know enough about how it all works.
It’s not that I don’t care. I just don’t know enough about how it all works.
Overwhelmed & Confused
Overwhelmed & Confused
Overwhelmed & Confused
Overwhelmed & Confused
Voting information is scattered, complex and hard to understand
Voting information is scattered, complex and hard to understand
Voting information is scattered, complex and hard to understand
Low trust
Low trust
Low trust
Low trust
Low trust
Many young people do not trust political parties or the system
Many young people do not trust political parties or the system
Many young people do not trust political parties or the system
Mobile is the preference
Mobile is the preference
Mobile is the preference
Mobile is the preference
Young users want quick, clear and accessible information on their phones
Young users want quick, clear and accessible information on their phones
Young users want quick, clear and accessible information on their phones
© 2025 RANDZU NGOBENI - UX DESIGNER - PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
The Direction
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
User Flow
Research revealed that users often felt overwhelmed and were unsure where to start
So i implemented a user flow that focused on the 3 actions users needed most: Registration, Stus check and understanding the voting process
From Wireframe
Before moving into high-fidelity designs, I explored different layouts and content structures through wireframes
This helped me prioritise ceraain information, establishing a clear journey and validate the placement of key actions before focusing on visual design
To Interface
Once the structure and user journey were validated through the wireframes, i translated the experience into high-fidelity screens.
I wanted to create a mobile-first platform that balanced accessibility and clarity
Key Decisions
Registration, registration status and voting guidance were surfaced as primary actions based on the findings
Prioritised core actions
Content was organised into smaller sections and clear steps to make voting information easier to scan and understand
Reduce Cognitive Load
Layouts were designed around mobile usage platforms ensuring important information remained accessible even on smaller screens
Mobile first structure
Key Features
Simple navigation designed for quick access to essential voting information on any mobile device
mobile-first naviagtion
Step-by-step guidance and clear instructions reduce uncertainty and make the process easier
Registration guidance
Clean hierarchy and official branding creates credible experiences that users rely on
Trust-focused interface
Simple language, strong contrast and clear layouts make information easy to understand for all
Accessibility
Impact & Outcomes
Improved clarity
Mobile-first accessibility
Stronger trust & engagement
Complete voting information was broken down into easy-to follow steps, making it simpler for young voters to understand the process
The experience is optimised for mobile users, reflecting the way young South Africans generally access information
A neutral, official and youth-friendly visual language encourages confidence and empowers more young people to participate
Future Opportunities
Usability Testing
Multilingual support
Personalised reminders
Continuos Improvement
Test the prototype with first-time voters to identify pain points and refine the experience
Expand the platform to include additional South African language for broader reach
Introduce notifications and remainders for registration deadlines and election day
Analyse data and feedback to continuously improve content, navigation and accessibility
Takeaways
HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES (Scroll >)
Make info easy to understand
Content is broken into small, digestable steps using plain language and clear visuals
1
Build trust through clarity
Neutral tone, transparent information and credible sources increase confidence
2
The experience is optimised for mobile devices, where young users reside
Design for mobile-frist
3
The Process
The Process
The Process
Desgn Strategy
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
MID-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
Helping youth South Africans build financial confidence throguh playful. empowering and gamified learning experience
LET'S TALK MOOLA
Ready when you are
© 2025 RANDZU NGOBENI - UX DESIGNER - PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
Back to top
The final Prototype brings together the research, strategy and design decisions into a mobile-first experience that helps the South African youth understand the voting process with confidance.
The experience focuses on clarity, accessibility and trust, guiding users through key actions like registration, checking registration status and learning how election works