Always App
Indigenous Australian Digital Hub Concept
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples creative works were scattered across the internet with no trusted central platform. I designed a concept mobile app and consulted with Ingeous Studios to explore whether this approach could address real community needs.
Role
UX Designer
Tools
Figma
Adobe XD
Timeline
University Project
1 -week design sprint
Exploring a potential solution to fragmented Indigenous content
Always App is a concept platform designed to showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creative works, businesses, and advocacy causes in one trusted space. During the design sprint, I reached out to Ingeous Studios (an Indigenous-led Design Studio) to validate the concept. As a non-Indigenous designer, I wanted to ensure the idea was culturally appropriate and addressed genuine community needs before developing it further. They confirmed the need existed and agreed to collaborate, helping shape the design direction to better serve Indigenous communities and their supporters.
Fragmented content, fake products, and unclear pathways for support
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had no digital hub they endorsed. Content, businesses, and causes were scattered, making discovery difficult. As one survey respondent put it: "I think having a space where you can find all sorts of information educational or otherwise on Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islanders could help entice individuals that may not have before educated themselves."
Fake Indigenous products flooded tourist markets, with non-Indigenous sellers profiting while real Indigenous artists lost income. Supporters had no way to verify which businesses were legitimately Indigenous-owned. Well-meaning allies wanted to help but didn't know where to start: which businesses to trust, which causes were important, and how to engage without cultural missteps.
The design challenge: Explore whether a centralized platform could verify authenticity and provide clear guidance for allies without being performative or extractive.
Three pathways that could bridge cultural celebration with meaningful action
I organized the app around how people engage (Discover, Support, Act) rather than content type. Users can find content by format (videos, podcasts, articles), purchase from verified Indigenous businesses, or take action through petitions and volunteering.
The "Ally Friendly" filter addresses two challenges: it could help supporters buy from real Indigenous artists (tackling the fake product problem), while respecting cultural protocols about which products are appropriate for non-Indigenous buyers. Every business on the platform would be verified as Indigenous-owned, ensuring authenticity.
Through iterative wireframing and feedback, I simplified the busy home screen into clear pathways with featured content and strategic calls-to-action that guide users from passive consumption to active support.
User-validated need through survey of 17 respondents (94% said the concept would be helpful). Collaborative validation with Indigenous-led organisation confirming the concept addressed real community needs. Culturally-informed features like "Ally Friendly" filter developed through consultation. Clear user pathways reducing friction between interest and action.
