Simpulmadani

An Innovation and Knowledge Hub Platform

Client

KM4NGO, FHI360 MADANI

Platform

Desktop, Mobile & App

Tools

Figma, Figjam, Miro

Role

UI/UX Designer

timeline

5 months
Preview responsive design on laptop and mobile

Background

Simpulmadani is an integrated learning center for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Indonesia, developed by AtmaGo with support from USAID.

The Simpulmadani platform, an open-source innovation and knowledge hub, was developed by FHI360 under the USAID-funded MADANI Civil Society Support Initiative. Designed by Saraswati, it is now managed by KM4NGO—a consortium of four Indonesian organizations: Penabulu Foundation, Satu Dunia, Sinergantara, and PIRAC.Launched in 2020 following a user-centered design process, Simpulmadani continues to evolve to meet the needs of civil society organizations.

Preview design homepage after login

Logo Philosophy

As a locally-driven, open-source Indonesian platform, simpulmadani transcends individual projects, striving to enhance the quality of civil society through innovative learning, knowledge sharing, and collaborative networking. The name "simpul," meaning "knot," symbolizes connection, while "madani" reflects the vision of a democratic, autonomous, and empowered society. The all-lowercase, spaceless writing style represents the ethos of an egalitarian community.

Shape and Form

The brand embraces a clean, minimalist, and lightweight design to highlight the unique identity of simpulmadani. The logo features a knot shaped like a four-cornered flower combined with an infinity symbol, representing the vision of a collaborative, accessible, and sustainable platform for individuals and organizations in Indonesia and beyond.

Typography

The typography features a rounded geometric sans-serif design, embodying the values of comfort and user-centeredness. The two contrasting colors emphasize the balanced approach of this open-source platform: navy blue symbolizes integrity and trust among stakeholders, including users, while magenta represents innovation and imagination, driving progress and forward-thinking.

Colour

The colors used are a combination of those from the logos of KM4NGO, FHI 360 MADANI, USAID, and Saraswati.

Logo design in Horizontal and Vertical lookLogo guideline, include margin, typography and colour

Comprehensive Design Process

Ideation and Design Sprint

A collaborative process to rapidly generate, prototype, and validate innovative solutions. Using techniques like Crazy 8, participants sketch eight ideas in eight minutes, fostering creativity and refining concepts during the sprint.

Ideation and design sprint process
User flow process

Determine the User Flow

Analyzing user needs, behaviors, and goals to create a seamless journey through a website. This process ensures that navigation is intuitive, tasks are easy to complete, and the overall design aligns with user expectations and business objectives.

Sketching and Wireframing

Early wireframes led to interactive prototypes, which were tested and iterated on. This phase was crucial for refining user flows and interface elements.

Simple wireframing low fidelity process
Prototyping high fidelity process

Prototyping

Focused on creating a visually appealing and emotionally engaging experience. The design incorporated nature-inspired themes, intuitive icons, and an easy-to-navigate layout.

Special attention was given to making the app accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Features like screen reader compatibility, color blindness modes, and scalable text were included.

User Testing

During user testing, participants expressed enthusiasm and satisfaction as the platform enabled interactive discussions and seamless online learning. The opportunity to connect, share insights, and access knowledge in real-time contributed significantly to their positive experience. It emphasizes the collaborative and educational benefits experienced during the testing.

People conduct user testing.via online

Design Solutions

User-Centered Navigation

Simplify the navigation by categorizing content such as Learning Resources, Discussion Forums, and Organizational Performance Index, making it more intuitive for users to find relevant materials and engage with the platform.

Interactive Dashboard

Create an interactive dashboard for users to easily track their learning progress, participation in discussions, and any tests or certifications completed. This could offer a personalized experience based on user activity.

Responsive Mobile Experience

Optimize the site for mobile devices, ensuring that users can easily access resources, take tests, and participate in discussions on the go.

Gamification

Integrate gamified elements, like badges or leaderboards, to encourage users to engage more with the content and complete learning modules, discussions, or tests.

Discussion forum. Engage in dialogues, share insights, and collaborate on various topics. It serves as a centralized hub where members can initiate discussions, seek advice, and exchange experiences to strengthen their collective impact. Enabling CSOs to connect, learn, and work together towards common goals.Learning Resources. A comprehensive hub of e-books, videos, live streams, and tests designed to enhance CSO capacities, fostering growth and effective community engagement.Organizational Performance Index. Assess and measure an organization's effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability, helping identify areas for improvement and track performance over time.Gamification. The integration of game elements—such as points, badges, and leaderboards—into non-game contexts to enhance user engagement and motivation. By applying these elements, platforms can make tasks more enjoyable and encourage active participation.