rirandzu.ngobeni@gmail.com
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
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?
rirandzu.ngobeni@gmail.com
Designing for Democracy: Youth Voter Education
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.
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
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
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.
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, digestible steps using plain language and clear visuals
Build trust through clarity
Neutral tone, transparent information and credible sources increase confidence
The experience is optimised for mobile devices, where young users already are
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
The visual direction i had in mind was modern, approachable and youth-focused, without compromising the credibility of the information
A balance of familiar blues based off brand identification
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
Clean, modern text, comprehensable by many
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
Before moving into high-fidelity designs, i explroed 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 explroed 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Clean hierarchy and official branding creates credible experiences that users rely on
Clean hierarchy and official branding creates credible experiences that users rely on
Simple language, strong contrast and clear layouts make information easy to understand for all
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
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
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
© 2025 RANDZU NGOBENI - UX DESIGNER - PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
© 2025 RANDZU NGOBENI - UX DESIGNER - PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
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
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.
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
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.
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 information is scattered, complex and hard to understand
Many young people do not trust political parties or the system
Young users want quick. clear and accessible information on their phones
Young users want quick. clear and accessible information on their phones
From the insights, i defined three principles that shaped every decision in the solution
Voting information is scattered, complex and hard to understand
Many young people do not trust political parties or the system
Young users want quick. clear and accessible information on their phones
