Deeproot

AI-Powered Source Comparison

Role

UX, UI, UXR, Branding

and Design System

UX, UI, UXR, Branding

and Design System

Tools

Figma, OpenAI,

Adobe Illustrator,

Figma, OpenAI,

Adobe Illustrator,

Timeline

10 weeks

Year

2024

Overview

DeepRoot is a mobile app designed to tackle misinformation, accessibility issues, and the emotional toll of learning Black history. It empowers young adults with a trustworthy, user-friendly resource for deeper understanding.

Please click here to view to use the prototype.

The Challenge

Despite the internet’s vast information, young adults struggle to find trustworthy Black history resources due to:

Distrust in sources

Emotional fatigue when engaging with the topic
Lack of content variety that aligns with different learning styles

Problem Statement

Problem
Statement

Young adults who wish to learn about Black history often encounter challenges in finding credible, accurate resources. This lack of trustworthy information leads to gaps in knowledge and erodes confidence in what they learn, making it difficult for them to engage deeply and confidently with Black history outside of formal education.

How Might We?

How might we create accessible, trustworthy Black history resources that empower young adults to feel confident in their understanding and engage more fully with their heritage?

The Solution

✅ Source Comparison Tool – Cross-checks historical content for accuracy.
✅ Curated Library – Peer-reviewed articles and trusted blogs.
✅ Adaptable Learning Formats – Summaries, deep dives, and interactive elements.

2/3

Nearly two-thirds of Black Americans say the news they see or hear about Black people is usually more negative compared to coverage of other demographic groups

80%

of Black Americans report encountering news coverage about Black people that is racist or racially insensitive at least sometimes

14%

Only 14% of Black Americans believe it is extremely or very likely that Black people will be covered fairly in the news in their lifetime

Research & Insights

I followed the Double Diamond Method to deeply understand user needs and iterate on solutions.

2/3

Nearly two-thirds of Black Americans say the news they see or hear about Black people is usually more negative compared to coverage of other demographic groups

80%

of Black Americans report encountering news coverage about Black people that is racist or racially insensitive at least sometimes

14%

Only 14% of Black Americans believe it is extremely or very likely that Black people will be covered fairly in the news in their lifetime

DeepRoot is a mobile app designed to address the challenges of misinformation, accessibility, and emotional labor in learning Black history. My goal was to create a trustworthy, user-friendly resource that young adults could turn to for deeper understanding. Please click here to view to use the prototype.

2/3

Nearly two-thirds of Black Americans say the news they see or hear about Black people is usually more negative compared to coverage of other demographic groups

80%

of Black Americans report encountering news coverage about Black people that is racist or racially insensitive at least sometimes

14%

Only 14% of Black Americans believe it is extremely or very likely that Black people will be covered fairly in the news in their lifetime

Next Steps

Moving forward, I plan to expand the functionality of the source search screen to make it even more user-friendly and informative. Additionally, I’ll implement a new AI feature that scans images and videos to provide a reliability score, empowering users to evaluate visual content critically. Finally, I’ll continue conducting user testing to refine these features and ensure DeepRoot meets user needs effectively.

Research Methodology: Interview

Joi

"I’m a visual learner, so documentaries hit different, but sometimes I need something shorter to hold my attention."

Alicia

"Podcasts are my go-to, but it’s hard to know what’s reliable."

Tabitha

"Shows like The Boondocks hold a mirror to society with a touch of comedy and I would love for more shows to do that"

These comments highlighted the variety of ways people prefer to learn about Black history—through videos, podcasts, books, or even interactive formats. It became clear that accessibility wasn’t just about availability; it was about offering information in formats that resonated with how people naturally absorb knowledge.

Affinity Map

I started with the theme of diverse learning formats because it felt rich with possibilities. From interviews, it was clear that people crave variety in how they engage with Black history—whether through books, films, or interactive experiences. But as I delved deeper, I realized that while the idea was compelling, it wasn't directly addressing the core issue. The sheer scope of tackling diverse learning formats would be challenging to accomplish within a 10-week timeline. click here to view the affinity map

Themes - Pivot to Distrust in Media

Diverse Learning Formats

Diverse Learning
Formats

Participants prefer diverse formats based on their learning styles, favoring visual content like documentaries, animations, and interactive media, along with books, podcasts, and videos.

Distrust of Media and
Information Sources

Distrust of Media
and Information
Sources

Participants feel Black history is misrepresented in media, criticizing practices like casting non-American Black actors for U.S. historical roles and "whitewashing" Black events.

Emotional Toll of Learning
Black History

Emotional Toll
of Learning
Black History

Participants noted the emotional challenge of learning about slavery and racial violence, with some struggling to stay engaged and others seeking supportive spaces to process these feelings.

Further research and reflection showed me that 'Distrust in Media' was a recurring concern. Interviewees expressed skepticism about the accuracy and framing of Black history in mainstream sources. This distrust wasn't just a pain point—it was a barrier to engaging with Black history at all. Shifting the focus to this theme allowed me to hone in on solving a more urgent and specific problem: how to equip young adults with trustworthy, accessible knowledge about Black history.

In retrospect, this pivot was essential. It not only grounded the project in a more actionable problem but also aligned with my personal motivation to address gaps in Black history education. By narrowing the scope, I could develop a solution that felt both impactful and achievable within the given timeframe.

How Might We

How might we create accessible, trustworthy Black history resources that empower young adults to feel confident in their understanding and engage more fully with their heritage?

Persona

User Stories

By creating user stories, I empathized with users and better understood their experiences. This process helped me prioritize features, make informed design decisions, and ensure that the final product met user expectations and effectively solved their problems.

Main User Story

As a knowledge seeker, I want to compare sources on the same topic to identify consistencies and discrepancies.

Task Flow

Initially this task flow involved the user going through the process of checking their citations, but this wasn't addressing my users main pain point. I then simplified this process by removing one step and focusing on the source comparison feature.

UI Inspiration Board

Here, the outcomes and achievements of the project are highlighted, including user feedback, adoption rates, and industry recognition.

Sketches

For my sketches I took heavy inspiration from platforms that offers a clean and easy to read article

To develop a cohesive brand, I created a mood board inspired by keywords like rooted, inspiring, and academic. This process helped me craft a color palette and typography that align with DeepRoot’s values. Peer feedback ensured the visuals resonated with my target audience.

Low Fidelity Wireframes

After gathering feedback from the first usability test, I identified key areas for improvement and made significant updates to enhance the user experience. I added an option to copy article citations in MLA format, making it easier for users to reference their findings. To improve navigation, I introduced a table of contents feature, allowing users to quickly scroll through articles and locate specific sections.

The source results screen underwent a complete rework, focusing on presenting information in a more digestible and visually clear format. These updates, along with refining button functionality and improving visual alignment, shaped Version 2 of the DeepRoot prototype. This iteration delivers a smoother, more intuitive experience, empowering users to explore Black history resources with confidence and ease.

User Stories

Main User Story

As a knowledge seeker, I want to compare sources on the same topic to identify consistencies and discrepancies.

Main Epic

Verify And Validate Historical Content

Task Flow

UI Inspiration Board

Here, the outcomes and achievements of the project are highlighted, including user feedback, adoption rates, and industry recognition.

Please click this link to view the UI Library

Sketches

For my sketches I took heavy inspiration from platforms that offers a clean and easy to read article

Low Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Mockups

Please click here to view to use the prototype.

Brand Development

To save time and effort I decided to curate a mood board. This will help me get inspired, find the right color palette, and find a style. The mood board will allow me to develop a Visual Identity. First I’ll identify some keywords, phrases, or metaphors that define the visual experience, and the values of my brand. I’ll draw inspiration from graphic landscapes, textures, fonts, and images that describe the ambiance. Lastly, I’ll turn to my peers for feedback.

Wordmark

Here, the outcomes and achievements of the project are highlighted, including user feedback, adoption rates, and industry recognition.

UI Library

Install the plugin and convert your designs to a responsive site.

Please click this link to view the UI Library

Alternate Platform Devices

Browse dozens of templates. Click, duplicate, customize.

Marketing Device

Install the plugin and convert your designs to a responsive site.

Key Learnings

During the research phase, I found myself overwhelmed, often overthinking simple steps, which led to a few backtracks along the way. These moments taught me the value of stepping back, reassessing, and staying grounded in the problem at hand.

As I moved into the design phase, I gained a deeper understanding of how crucial research is to the process. I realized that aesthetics alone cannot carry a product—solid research provides the foundation for design decisions that truly resonate with users. This experience reinforced the importance of balancing creativity with strategy to create meaningful, user-centered solutions.