At Feeling Blessed, I took on the role of Principal Product Designer and Mobile App Developer with a mission to transform private charitable giving for eight million Muslims in the United States. Recognizing the challenges inherent in traditional methods of donating, I led the design and development of innovative mobile applications aimed at simplifying and enhancing the charitable experience, particularly during significant periods like Ramadan, Hajj, and end-of-year donations. My goal was to create a platform that not only made giving efficient and transparent but also respected user privacy while fostering a sense of community and healthy competition to maximize charitable contributions.

From the outset, the project demanded a deep understanding of the cultural and religious nuances that guide charitable practices within the Muslim community. Designing both iOS and Android applications from scratch, I focused on integrating modern technology with the spiritual principles of Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The journey was fraught with challenges, from ensuring accurate Zakat calculations to building trust in the platform’s transparency. However, my commitment to empowering donors and facilitating impactful giving kept me motivated to overcome these obstacles and drive meaningful change.

Feeling Blessed was envisioned not just as an app but as a movement to reimagine charitable giving. By leveraging cutting-edge design strategies and user-centric development, I aimed to create a platform that connected donors with trustworthy charities, streamlined the donation process, and maintained high levels of user engagement throughout the year. This holistic approach ensured that Feeling Blessed stood out as a leading fintech solution dedicated to Muslim philanthropic innovation.

At Feeling Blessed, I took on the role of Principal Product Designer and Mobile App Developer with a mission to transform private charitable giving for eight million Muslims in the United States. Recognizing the challenges inherent in traditional methods of donating, I led the design and development of innovative mobile applications aimed at simplifying and enhancing the charitable experience, particularly during significant periods like Ramadan, Hajj, and end-of-year donations. My goal was to create a platform that not only made giving efficient and transparent but also respected user privacy while fostering a sense of community and healthy competition to maximize charitable contributions.

From the outset, the project demanded a deep understanding of the cultural and religious nuances that guide charitable practices within the Muslim community. Designing both iOS and Android applications from scratch, I focused on integrating modern technology with the spiritual principles of Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The journey was fraught with challenges, from ensuring accurate Zakat calculations to building trust in the platform’s transparency. However, my commitment to empowering donors and facilitating impactful giving kept me motivated to overcome these obstacles and drive meaningful change.

Feeling Blessed was envisioned not just as an app but as a movement to reimagine charitable giving. By leveraging cutting-edge design strategies and user-centric development, I aimed to create a platform that connected donors with trustworthy charities, streamlined the donation process, and maintained high levels of user engagement throughout the year. This holistic approach ensured that Feeling Blessed stood out as a leading fintech solution dedicated to Muslim philanthropic innovation.

Developing a platform tailored to the unique needs of the Muslim community presented several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles was the complexity of giving. Many users found it difficult to identify trustworthy charities and accurately calculate their Zakat, leading to frustration and sometimes discouraging regular donations. Simplifying these processes without compromising their integrity was essential to ensure widespread adoption and sustained use of the platform.

Transparency and trust were paramount concerns. Donors needed assurance that their contributions were reaching the intended beneficiaries and being utilized effectively. Building a system that provided detailed donation tracking and direct connections between donors and charities was crucial to address these concerns. Without this level of accountability, even well-intentioned donors might hesitate to fully engage with the platform, undermining its effectiveness and mission.

Engagement and motivation throughout the year also posed a challenge. While the desire to give was particularly strong during Ramadan and Hajj, maintaining donor engagement during other times required innovative solutions. Users sought more than just a transactional experience; they wanted an engaging platform that fostered a sense of community and offered incentives to encourage continued participation. Designing features that could sustain interest and motivate ongoing contributions was essential to the platform’s long-term success.

Developing a platform tailored to the unique needs of the Muslim community presented several significant challenges. One of the primary hurdles was the complexity of giving. Many users found it difficult to identify trustworthy charities and accurately calculate their Zakat, leading to frustration and sometimes discouraging regular donations. Simplifying these processes without compromising their integrity was essential to ensure widespread adoption and sustained use of the platform.

Transparency and trust were paramount concerns. Donors needed assurance that their contributions were reaching the intended beneficiaries and being utilized effectively. Building a system that provided detailed donation tracking and direct connections between donors and charities was crucial to address these concerns. Without this level of accountability, even well-intentioned donors might hesitate to fully engage with the platform, undermining its effectiveness and mission.

Engagement and motivation throughout the year also posed a challenge. While the desire to give was particularly strong during Ramadan and Hajj, maintaining donor engagement during other times required innovative solutions. Users sought more than just a transactional experience; they wanted an engaging platform that fostered a sense of community and offered incentives to encourage continued participation. Designing features that could sustain interest and motivate ongoing contributions was essential to the platform’s long-term success.

• Complexity of Giving Identifying trustworthy charities and calculating Zakat accurately can be cumbersome for many users.
• Transparency and Trust Ensuring donations reach the intended beneficiaries and are used effectively is a significant concern for donors.
• Engagement and Motivation While the intent to give is strong, maintaining donor engagement and motivating sustained giving throughout the year required innovative solutions.

• Complexity of Giving Identifying trustworthy charities and calculating Zakat accurately can be cumbersome for many users.
• Transparency and Trust Ensuring donations reach the intended beneficiaries and are used effectively is a significant concern for donors.
• Engagement and Motivation While the intent to give is strong, maintaining donor engagement and motivating sustained giving throughout the year required innovative solutions.

As the Principal Product Designer and Mobile App Developer at Feeling Blessed, I was at the forefront of shaping the platform’s vision and execution. My responsibilities spanned the entire design and development lifecycle, from conducting user research to crafting intuitive user interfaces and leading a team of engineers to bring the app to life. I was dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of the platform met the highest standards of usability, functionality, and cultural sensitivity.

Conducting extensive user research was a cornerstone of my role. I organized and led interviews and surveys to gain deep insights into the motivations and pain points of potential donors. This research was instrumental in developing detailed user personas, which guided the design strategy and ensured that the platform addressed the real needs of our target audience. Understanding the spiritual and emotional drivers behind charitable giving allowed me to create features that resonated deeply with users.

In addition to research, I spearheaded the design strategy by creating wireframes, visual designs, and a comprehensive transactional design system. These elements worked together to streamline the user experience, making it straightforward for users to calculate Zakat, select charities, and complete donations with ease. Collaborating with stakeholders, I facilitated workshops to define the brand identity and leverage motivational frameworks like Octalysis and Dhikr Vision to drive user engagement. This holistic approach ensured that Feeling Blessed was not only functional but also inspiring and engaging for its users.

As the Principal Product Designer and Mobile App Developer at Feeling Blessed, I was at the forefront of shaping the platform’s vision and execution. My responsibilities spanned the entire design and development lifecycle, from conducting user research to crafting intuitive user interfaces and leading a team of engineers to bring the app to life. I was dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of the platform met the highest standards of usability, functionality, and cultural sensitivity.

Conducting extensive user research was a cornerstone of my role. I organized and led interviews and surveys to gain deep insights into the motivations and pain points of potential donors. This research was instrumental in developing detailed user personas, which guided the design strategy and ensured that the platform addressed the real needs of our target audience. Understanding the spiritual and emotional drivers behind charitable giving allowed me to create features that resonated deeply with users.

In addition to research, I spearheaded the design strategy by creating wireframes, visual designs, and a comprehensive transactional design system. These elements worked together to streamline the user experience, making it straightforward for users to calculate Zakat, select charities, and complete donations with ease. Collaborating with stakeholders, I facilitated workshops to define the brand identity and leverage motivational frameworks like Octalysis and Dhikr Vision to drive user engagement. This holistic approach ensured that Feeling Blessed was not only functional but also inspiring and engaging for its users.

To create a platform that truly resonated with our users, I immersed myself deeply in their experiences and communities. This hands-on approach involved attending religious gatherings, participating in charity events, and engaging directly with donors and charity organizations. By being present in the environments where our users lived and gave, I gained invaluable insights into their needs, preferences, and the emotional significance of their charitable actions.

Through this immersion, I mapped out the user journey, identifying the emotional highs and lows that donors experienced throughout the giving process. For many, the act of giving was not just a duty but a spiritually rewarding experience, especially during sacred times like Ramadan and Hajj. By visualizing these touchpoints, I was able to design solutions that enhanced positive experiences while mitigating the challenges users faced.

Engaging with the community also highlighted the importance of privacy and simplicity in the donation process. Users valued discreet and secure transactions, desiring an interface that was both user-friendly and respectful of their privacy. These insights guided the development of features that ensured ease of use, such as a straightforward Zakat calculator and secure donation mechanisms. Additionally, fostering a sense of community through features that allowed users to share their giving experiences and track their contributions helped build a loyal and engaged user base.

To create a platform that truly resonated with our users, I immersed myself deeply in their experiences and communities. This hands-on approach involved attending religious gatherings, participating in charity events, and engaging directly with donors and charity organizations. By being present in the environments where our users lived and gave, I gained invaluable insights into their needs, preferences, and the emotional significance of their charitable actions.

Through this immersion, I mapped out the user journey, identifying the emotional highs and lows that donors experienced throughout the giving process. For many, the act of giving was not just a duty but a spiritually rewarding experience, especially during sacred times like Ramadan and Hajj. By visualizing these touchpoints, I was able to design solutions that enhanced positive experiences while mitigating the challenges users faced.

Engaging with the community also highlighted the importance of privacy and simplicity in the donation process. Users valued discreet and secure transactions, desiring an interface that was both user-friendly and respectful of their privacy. These insights guided the development of features that ensured ease of use, such as a straightforward Zakat calculator and secure donation mechanisms. Additionally, fostering a sense of community through features that allowed users to share their giving experiences and track their contributions helped build a loyal and engaged user base.

I mapped out the user journey, identifying the emotional highs and lows across different touchpoints in the giving process. This helped in visualizing the overall experience and ensuring that the app catered to the specific needs of each persona.

Through workshops with stakeholders, we defined the brand values and attributes and positioned Feeling Blessed as a leading fintech institution dedicated to Muslim philanthropic innovation. This strong brand identity was essential in establishing trust and credibility among donors. Through interviews and surveys, key insights into how users approached charitable giving were identified.

I mapped out the user journey, identifying the emotional highs and lows across different touchpoints in the giving process. This helped in visualizing the overall experience and ensuring that the app catered to the specific needs of each persona.

Through workshops with stakeholders, we defined the brand values and attributes and positioned Feeling Blessed as a leading fintech institution dedicated to Muslim philanthropic innovation. This strong brand identity was essential in establishing trust and credibility among donors. Through interviews and surveys, key insights into how users approached charitable giving were identified.

• Emotional Motivation Donors are deeply motivated by the spiritual rewards associated with giving, particularly during Ramadan and Hajj.
• Need for Simplicity Users sought a straightforward, user-friendly interface that made it easy to calculate Zakat, select charities, and send their donations.
• Desire for Privacy While transparency was essential, users also valued privacy in their charitable activities, preferring discreet and secure transactions.

• Emotional Motivation Donors are deeply motivated by the spiritual rewards associated with giving, particularly during Ramadan and Hajj.
• Need for Simplicity Users sought a straightforward, user-friendly interface that made it easy to calculate Zakat, select charities, and send their donations.
• Desire for Privacy While transparency was essential, users also valued privacy in their charitable activities, preferring discreet and secure transactions.

I started with sketches to define and streamline the user flow, mapping each step of the donation process. These sketches were then developed into detailed wireframes, and various fidelity stages from low to high. A key part of the project was the creation of a transactional design system that ensured consistency across the app, making the experience smooth and visually cohesive.

The visual design focused on clarity and simplicity, using a calming color palette and prescriptive iconography to guide users through the app. Interaction designs were crafted to minimize friction, allowing users to increase donations with a single tap, and complete donations quickly and easily.

I started with sketches to define and streamline the user flow, mapping each step of the donation process. These sketches were then developed into detailed wireframes, and various fidelity stages from low to high. A key part of the project was the creation of a transactional design system that ensured consistency across the app, making the experience smooth and visually cohesive.

The visual design focused on clarity and simplicity, using a calming color palette and prescriptive iconography to guide users through the app. Interaction designs were crafted to minimize friction, allowing users to increase donations with a single tap, and complete donations quickly and easily.

• Increased Donation Efficiency The app streamlined the donation process, making it easier for users to fulfill their Zakat obligations and contribute to other charitable causes
• Enhanced User Engagement The integration of motivational frameworks led to higher user engagement, particularly during Ramadan, with a significant increase in repeat donations
• Transparency and Trust By connecting users directly with charities and providing detailed donation tracking, the app built trust and fostered long-term relationships between donors and charities

• Increased Donation Efficiency The app streamlined the donation process, making it easier for users to fulfill their Zakat obligations and contribute to other charitable causes
• Enhanced User Engagement The integration of motivational frameworks led to higher user engagement, particularly during Ramadan, with a significant increase in repeat donations
• Transparency and Trust By connecting users directly with charities and providing detailed donation tracking, the app built trust and fostered long-term relationships between donors and charities

In the fast-paced world of app development, speed and agility were crucial to refining Feeling Blessed and meeting user expectations. I adopted a rapid iteration approach, continuously testing designs in real-world settings and making swift improvements based on user feedback. This method allowed us to identify and address issues early, ensuring that the platform evolved in line with user needs and preferences.

Developing quick prototypes was a key aspect of this iterative process. By creating mock-ups and wireframes, I was able to visualize new ideas and gather immediate feedback from users. User testing sessions provided insights into what worked well and what needed improvement, enabling us to refine features and enhance the overall user experience efficiently. This responsiveness ensured that we stayed aligned with user expectations and maintained a high level of satisfaction.

Agile development methodologies further supported our ability to iterate quickly. Working in short sprints, the team could adapt to changes and incorporate feedback seamlessly. Collaborative workflows ensured that designers and developers were always in sync, while continuous deployment allowed us to release updates regularly. This approach not only accelerated the development process but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that Feeling Blessed remained relevant and effective in meeting its mission.

In the fast-paced world of app development, speed and agility were crucial to refining Feeling Blessed and meeting user expectations. I adopted a rapid iteration approach, continuously testing designs in real-world settings and making swift improvements based on user feedback. This method allowed us to identify and address issues early, ensuring that the platform evolved in line with user needs and preferences.

Developing quick prototypes was a key aspect of this iterative process. By creating mock-ups and wireframes, I was able to visualize new ideas and gather immediate feedback from users. User testing sessions provided insights into what worked well and what needed improvement, enabling us to refine features and enhance the overall user experience efficiently. This responsiveness ensured that we stayed aligned with user expectations and maintained a high level of satisfaction.

Agile development methodologies further supported our ability to iterate quickly. Working in short sprints, the team could adapt to changes and incorporate feedback seamlessly. Collaborative workflows ensured that designers and developers were always in sync, while continuous deployment allowed us to release updates regularly. This approach not only accelerated the development process but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that Feeling Blessed remained relevant and effective in meeting its mission.

Innovation was the driving force behind Feeling Blessed's evolution. I sought to redefine traditional charitable giving by integrating modern technologies and motivational frameworks that set our platform apart. Leveraging the Octalysis Framework, I incorporated game-like elements such as progress tracking, leaderboards, and achievement badges to increase user engagement and foster a sense of competition and accomplishment among donors.

The integration of Dhikr Vision further aligned the app’s features with spiritual practices, enhancing the emotional connection users felt with their charitable actions. By reminding users of the spiritual rewards associated with giving, especially during key periods like Ramadan, the platform motivated sustained engagement and increased contributions. This blend of technology and spirituality created a unique and compelling user experience that resonated deeply with our audience, and positioned Feeling Blessed as a leader in fintech solutions for Muslim philanthropic activities.

Innovation was the driving force behind Feeling Blessed's evolution. I sought to redefine traditional charitable giving by integrating modern technologies and motivational frameworks that set our platform apart. Leveraging the Octalysis Framework, I incorporated game-like elements such as progress tracking, leaderboards, and achievement badges to increase user engagement and foster a sense of competition and accomplishment among donors.

The integration of Dhikr Vision further aligned the app’s features with spiritual practices, enhancing the emotional connection users felt with their charitable actions. By reminding users of the spiritual rewards associated with giving, especially during key periods like Ramadan, the platform motivated sustained engagement and increased contributions. This blend of technology and spirituality created a unique and compelling user experience that resonated deeply with our audience, and positioned Feeling Blessed as a leader in fintech solutions for Muslim philanthropic activities.

Ensuring that Feeling Blessed met the highest standards of usability and functionality required rigorous testing and validation processes. I prioritized collecting comprehensive feedback from users and making data-driven improvements to refine the platform continuously. This commitment to quality assurance was essential in building a reliable and trustworthy app that users could depend on for their charitable needs.

Extensive user testing was conducted to evaluate every aspect of the app. Beta launches allowed us to release features to a select group of users for initial feedback, while surveys and polls gathered valuable opinions on specific functionalities. Usability studies provided real-time observations of how users interacted with the platform, highlighting areas for improvement and guiding subsequent design iterations. This multifaceted testing approach ensured that we addressed user concerns effectively and enhanced the overall user experience.

Performance monitoring was another critical component of our validation strategy. Utilizing analytics tools, I tracked key performance indicators such as user engagement rates, donation volumes, and repeat usage. Load testing ensured that the platform could handle increasing traffic without compromising performance, while error tracking enabled the swift identification and resolution of technical issues. These measures maintained high service quality and reliability, fostering trust and confidence among our users. Continuous improvement through feedback loops allowed us to adapt the platform to evolving user needs, ensuring that Feeling Blessed remained a valuable and effective tool for charitable giving.

Ensuring that Feeling Blessed met the highest standards of usability and functionality required rigorous testing and validation processes. I prioritized collecting comprehensive feedback from users and making data-driven improvements to refine the platform continuously. This commitment to quality assurance was essential in building a reliable and trustworthy app that users could depend on for their charitable needs.

Extensive user testing was conducted to evaluate every aspect of the app. Beta launches allowed us to release features to a select group of users for initial feedback, while surveys and polls gathered valuable opinions on specific functionalities. Usability studies provided real-time observations of how users interacted with the platform, highlighting areas for improvement and guiding subsequent design iterations. This multifaceted testing approach ensured that we addressed user concerns effectively and enhanced the overall user experience.

Performance monitoring was another critical component of our validation strategy. Utilizing analytics tools, I tracked key performance indicators such as user engagement rates, donation volumes, and repeat usage. Load testing ensured that the platform could handle increasing traffic without compromising performance, while error tracking enabled the swift identification and resolution of technical issues. These measures maintained high service quality and reliability, fostering trust and confidence among our users. Continuous improvement through feedback loops allowed us to adapt the platform to evolving user needs, ensuring that Feeling Blessed remained a valuable and effective tool for charitable giving.

The culmination of our efforts at Feeling Blessed led to significant positive outcomes for both users and the broader community. The app streamlined the donation process, making it easier for users to fulfill their Zakat obligations and contribute to various charitable causes with confidence. By simplifying complex tasks like calculating Zakat and selecting trustworthy charities, we removed barriers that previously hindered regular giving, resulting in higher donation efficiency and user satisfaction.

User engagement saw a marked increase, particularly during Ramadan, with a significant rise in repeat donations. The integration of motivational frameworks and community-building features fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged sustained participation throughout the year. Users appreciated the app's ease of use and the emotional connection it facilitated with their charitable actions, leading to a loyal and active user base.

Transparency and trust were greatly enhanced through detailed donation tracking and direct connections between donors and charities. This transparency built long-term relationships and increased donor confidence in the impact of their contributions. Feeling Blessed not only transformed how people gave but also strengthened the philanthropic ecosystem within the Muslim community, fostering greater mutual understanding and support among donors and beneficiaries alike.

The culmination of our efforts at Feeling Blessed led to significant positive outcomes for both users and the broader community. The app streamlined the donation process, making it easier for users to fulfill their Zakat obligations and contribute to various charitable causes with confidence. By simplifying complex tasks like calculating Zakat and selecting trustworthy charities, we removed barriers that previously hindered regular giving, resulting in higher donation efficiency and user satisfaction.

User engagement saw a marked increase, particularly during Ramadan, with a significant rise in repeat donations. The integration of motivational frameworks and community-building features fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged sustained participation throughout the year. Users appreciated the app's ease of use and the emotional connection it facilitated with their charitable actions, leading to a loyal and active user base.

Transparency and trust were greatly enhanced through detailed donation tracking and direct connections between donors and charities. This transparency built long-term relationships and increased donor confidence in the impact of their contributions. Feeling Blessed not only transformed how people gave but also strengthened the philanthropic ecosystem within the Muslim community, fostering greater mutual understanding and support among donors and beneficiaries alike.