📌 Project Context
Salesforce acquired Slack in 2021 and every product team had the challenge to develop the Slack version of their product. It was essential to maintain the core functionalities and adhered to the Slack design and technical guidelines. The release of these apps in the Slack app directory was planed for September of the same year.
As part of the company's goal of generating collective inspiration and visibility across industries, every month the design proposals had to be presented in a virtual team meeting with other product teams and Salesforce directors.
Salesforce acquired Slack Technologies, Inc. in 2021.
👩🏻💻 My Role
Philanthropy Cloud UX directors gave me the leadership of the project, with the support of my colleagues whenever needed. Design proposals had to be presented every two weeks in feedback sessions with PM, Engineers and UX Directors.
🤓 The outsider, Understanding Slack (in record-time)
As part of my research into the technical features of the Slack platform, I attended study sessions with the team's engineers. These sessions helped me understand how far we could go. It was critical for us designers and engineers to have a solid understanding of the Slack functionalities.
I took a step further and decided to make a deep analysis of the apps already in the Slack app directory. I studied their flows, design solutions and how innovative they were.
Engineers communicated to the team that, because of time constraints and technical difficulties customizations of existing components wouldn't be possible. As a result, I had to learn the visual language of Slack in record time and design every prototype using the existing components.
Documents for context, Slack Patterns & Best Practices
🧪 UCD Methodology | Research
The next step was to identify which features were essential, since the Slack app was intended to be a summary of the existing product, a simple but effective solution.
I partnered with the Salesforce.org research team to understand which functionalities were fundamental for our users and to identify the flows that needed to be in our Slack app.
I also worked closely with my PM to interpret our analytics and provide design proposals based on real data.
FYI: This app was intended for Donors, not Admins*
*Admins: People who create content in Philanthropy Cloud such as, donation campaigns, volunteer opportunities, etc.
🎨 Prototypes & Testing Sessions
The next step was to create rapid prototypes to present them in front of our users and receive feedback to iterate based on findings.
First Prototype | Analysis
Content of the following images:
This prototype was experimental. The navigational flow displayed here was based on the core functionality of the product (Donate) and the social capabilities Slack provides that are relevant to SPC (Sharing Content). Only one proposal was created at this time.
Second Prototype | Analysis
A few months after presenting the first draft to the UX Director and other team members, I continue the design exploration and created more proposals combining the original product with the Slack capabilities. For this next presentation, more options were designed and analyzed with the team.
Social Sharing
Ideas and explorations
Slack as an amplifier. Using Slack to enhance SPC
Ideas and explorations
🔄 Iteration Process
After meeting with our Donors and working with team members from research and design, I had the necessary data to start the iteration process based on:
Findings from research sessions with our Donors.
Technical constrains based on Engineers' feedback.
Accessibility issues.
Content of the following images:
Home Tab, Problems faced + Final solution.
Donate in Slack, Problems faced + Final solution.
Volunteer in Slack, Problems faced + Final solution.
The improvements shared in these images are based on real customer feedback provided in research sessions.
Home Tab | Problems faced + Final Solution
Previous Design
Design Improvement, based on user feedback
Donate in Slack | Problems faced + Final Solution
Previous Design
Design Improvement, based on user feedback
Volunteering in Slack | Problems faced + Final Solution
Previous Design
Design Improvement, based on user feedback
🛠️ Design Software
🎆 Final Demo | Virtual Dreamforce 2021
The entire team worked on this project for more than 10 months. After completing the designs and getting the approval of the organization, the product was presented at Dreamforce 2021.
The product team received tons of positive reviews and everyone saw the potential of having the app running in Slack, but the best part was that our customers were happy and excited for this new chapter in the history of Philanthropy Cloud.
Philanthropy Cloud xSlack Dreamforce demo 2021.
To view the full presentation, click on the link below:
⛰️ Conclusion. The importance of innovation
The project was completed in record time and it was clear from the start that I needed to work quickly and proactively. My favorite part of the project was learning the functionalities and technical aspects of a product that was completely new to me.
I understood that Slack is a powerful platform that connects many people, which is essential for Philanthropy Cloud, since we know that Giving is Social. We quickly recognized how Slack could enhance our product, so we decided to innovate and implement solutions using our expertise as a team, and above all, considering our users' needs.