Open Up
Open Up is a digital platform designed to build community resilience and inclusivity in Middelland, a neighborhood in Rotterdam — developed in partnership with Digital Society School, De Middellander Het Wijkbedrijf, and Stichting CAAT Projects. I led the project as Product Owner and Digital Transformation Designer, guiding and coaching a team of trainees through the full research, design, and development process.
Year
2020-2021
Scope
UX & Product Design
Client
De Middellander Het Wijkbedrijf & Stichting CAAT Projects
As remote life accelerated during the pandemic, communities faced a growing disconnect in physical neighborhoods. In Middelland, residents and local initiatives alike struggled with a lack of engagement and connection — raising the question: How can we build community resilience and inclusivity?
Through resident interviews, neighborhood research, and a 20-week design sprint process using Design Thinking and SCREAM methodology, we narrowed this wicked problem into a more actionable question: how can we create playful social interaction based on shared values and interests? The result is Open Up — a mobile application that helps residents get to know their neighbors through storytelling, avatar creation, and a local event and support system. Designed to be playful, inclusive, and expandable to other neighborhoods across the Netherlands.
Trainees I coached:
UX Design: Sofia Gomez, Richie Elia.
Research: Ini Kong, Krista Agbayani.
