Project Type
User Research, Business Development Strategy, User Interface Development
Duration
8 Weeks
Role
Design Strategist, User Experience Researcher, Interviewer, Project Manager
A community building strategy and digital platform to scale SWAN 3G, a multi generational mentoring program founded by Sesame Workshop Retirees.
Tools
User Personas, Customer Journey Mapping, Prototype Development, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator,
Team
Bhumika Keswani
Berni Lira
Camila Ordonez
Anaab Ibrahim
Louisa Buck
Client Partner
About
America has a loneliness epidemic, according to a report by Harvard Graduate School of Education , 36% of all Americans feel “serious loneliness".
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That is precisely what 3G Mentoring - SWAN 3G aim to address with their one of a kind program. In a world where preschoolers, high school students, and older adults are increasingly isolated, their mission is to deepen connections, grow confidence, and strengthen communication—using the joy of Sesame Street to build intergenerational relationships.
The Challenge
Help SWAN 3G create a scalable platform with accessible curriculum, mentoring, and training, so that partners and end users are able to easily adopt the solution as well as customize it for their particular context.
Exploring the current landscape
During the pilot phase, the founders shared extensive insights that highlighted foundational challenges within the organization. Before developing a go-to-market (GTM) strategy, it became evident that the core issues, ultimate goals, and the impact of the three-generational mentoring program needed to be clearly defined and addressed.
Before developing a go-to-market (GTM) strategy, it was crucial to help SWAN 3G understand the core issue they were tackling, their ultimate goal, and how their three-generational program could achieve it. Through thorough analysis, our team recognized that it was pivotal to strengthen the existing mentoring program first, ensuring a solid foundation before strategizing for expansion.
Re-framing the brief
Help SWAN 3G create a scalable platform with accessible curriculum, mentoring, and training, so that partners and end users are able to easily adopt the solution as well as customize it for their particular context.
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How might we enhance the community building experience to strengthen connections between members, creating a solid foundation for the overall journey and program growth?
Despite a limited 8-week design sprint, we engaged with nine users, including seniors, teenagers, and preschoolers' parents and teachers.
This helped us understand their motivations, concerns, and needs, enabling us to align our design solutions effectively with the expectations of those participating in the SWAN 3G mentoring program.
Developing a human centered strategy
Identified Areas Of Interventions
Senior
Teenager
Pre-Schooler
Vocabulary Gap
Calendar Invites & Reminders
Mentoring prep and technology tools
Handle tricky situations
Navigate ice breakers
Vocabulary Gap
Calendar Invites & Reminders
Mentoring/mentee prep tools
Space to explore Impact beyond SEL
Sense of leadership & confidence
Vocabulary Gap
Focus & Concentration Tactics
Cognitive Engagement for Retention
Incentivize talking about content
Tactile experience
Identifying Our North Star
Community
Building
Clear mission
& Engagement strategy
Onboarding
& Training
Personalized
Training Sessions
Curriculum
Design
Content Structure
Syllabus
Recruiting
& Matching
Strategic Partnerships
Matching Process
KPI
Definition
Monetization
Techniques
North Star
Baseline KPIs Definition
Behavioral & SEL Outcomes
Business Model
Partnerships
A 3G community founded on trust & safety that strengthens human connection & leads to building a better society to help them thrive.
Strategic Priorities
Community Building + Onboarding & Training
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Effective community communication and training are essential for success.
Well-prepared mentors engage better during sessions and handle situations proficiently.
Clear guidelines, specific goals, and communicated expectations foster community and belonging.
Community Purpose
& Agreements
Recognition
& Awards
Regular
Group Activities
Program
Ambassadors
Community Building
Vision
A society where individuals of all ages come together to learn, grow, and support one another, using technology to build authentic relationships and create a compassionate, interconnected world.
Mission
Our mission is to create an inclusive, cross-generational mentorship community that combats loneliness by fostering genuine connections. Individuals of all ages can learn, share experiences, and build lasting relationships in a safe, respectful environment.
Values
Inclusivity
Respect and empathy
Intergenerational Learning
Safety
Accountability
Commitment
Feedback
Code of Conduct
Openness to Learning
Community Building
Respect Differences
Active Listening
Be Patient
Celebrate Achievements
Brand Identity
Features
01.
User Friendly Interface
02.
Age Appropriate Content
03.
Gamified Experience
04.
Training Resources
05.
Support
Roadmap
Onboarding
1-2 Days
Orientation
Mission & Vision of SWAN 3G
Community Values & Code of Conduct
Age-specific Guide to use the platform
Training
1-2 Weeks
Step-by-step age-specific Handbook
Training resources + Toolkits
Support
Skills Development
Key Questions
1-2 Days
Post-session Impact Evaluation
Debrief with their generational cohort
Option to extend Training
Insights and Learnings
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While developing a Lo-Fi prototype for an exclusive matching and onboarding platform for SWAN 3G we discovered some key learnings and insights.
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Understanding the Problem:
Continuously evolve your knowledge to stay relevant and understand the problem deeply.
Apply new developments to understand their impact on users or customers.
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Engage with the Target Audience:
Maintain constant contact to gain insights into their needs, pains, and passions.
Use these insights to guide decision-making and ensure solutions address real challenges.
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Customer-Centric Approach:
Create products that resonate by mastering the audience's true needs.
Build strong connections and trust, laying the foundation for long-term success.
A customer-centric approach drives project success and makes a lasting impact.