Hi, I’m Hani, a design student passionate about accessibility. With a background in Philosophy and Art History, I blend critical thinking and visual aesthetics to create inclusive, innovative user experiences, aiming to bridge the digital divide and empower individuals.
With a strong foundation in user-centred design and a passion for creating accessible experiences, I’m excited to keep pushing boundaries and contributing to projects that make a real difference.
Key methods and processes I prefer include user-centred design approaches, engaging with users at every stage to ensure their needs are at the forefront. I employ techniques such as user research, usability testing, persona development, and iterative prototyping to gather insights and refine solutions. Additionally, I focus on empathy mapping and journey mapping to understand user pain points and create more intuitive, accessible designs.
My aspiration is to continue developing as a designer who balances creativity with practical problem-solving. I want to work on projects that genuinely improve the user experience and make technology more approachable. I’m driven by curiosity and a desire to learn, and I hope to collaborate with others to create solutions that feel meaningful and lasting.
As someone from Somalia, the issue of low female political participation has long been a concern for me. Driven by a desire to address this challenge, I set out to investigate and develop solutions to increase female political engagement in Somalia. Located on the east coast of Africa, Somalia is a predominantly Muslim country with a history marked by colonisation and conflict, making it relatively young compared to other nations. Despite a 30% quota for female politicians, this target remains unmet. Elected female officials frequently face violence and lack the support needed to thrive in their roles. This context underscores the urgency of finding effective strategies to empower and support Somali women in politics.
I started by examining the low female political participation in Somalia through secondary research. While low literacy is a contributing factor, restricted mobility proves to be a more significant barrier. Furthermore, Somali women encounter social repercussions when they engage in politics, revealing a critical need for tailored political education and engagement initiatives to address these challenges and support their involvement.
When ideating on a solution, I had several factors to consider. Somalia, being relatively new to technological adoption, had high mobile phone usage, primarily for social media and communication. Therefore, the solution needed to be familiar yet innovative enough to encourage both engagement and education in political discourse. Additionally, cultural considerations were crucial to ensure the solution was respectful and effective within the local context. For example, with the low mobility rates and in person solution wouldn’t work.
I developed my concept using three key principles: Action-Oriented Learning (AOL), which combines theory with practical tasks to actively engage users; Community of Practice (CoP), which fosters collective learning and knowledge sharing among individuals with common interests; and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), which emphasises learning through observation and modelling within a social context.
Safar is a mobile application designed to address low female political participation in Somalia. It features personalised AI onboarding to tailor content and action group recommendations. New user’s complete tasks to earn a “Newcomer Badge,” which facilitates further engagement. The “Learn” page provides a personalised syllabus and relevant content, while the “Safar” page allows for anonymous user-generated content. Action groups support activism with diverse tasks to maintain motivation, and settings enable users to adjust privacy options. The app guides users from education to engagement, connecting them with communities of practice and action groups through action-oriented learning.
An app that enables users to monitor and analyse their digital footprint.
A service that allows allotment renters who grow produce to donate their excess harvest to food banks.
An app that ensures bike riders in London can always find secure parking solutions for their bikes.
