HeartB Case Study: 0-to-1 App Design | Sanne van der Wal

The Challenge

The HeartB foundation approached me with an ambitious but undefined vision: create a single app connecting people facing problems (like lack of clean water access) with those offering solutions, anchored in human rights principles. The challenge wasn't just designing an interface—it was distilling a massive, global concept into a focused, buildable product that could attract real investment.

My role

As the sole Product Designer, I was responsible for the entire design process. Besides creating the UI/UX for the app of the foundation, I used my anthropological and business skills to provide valuable and strategic input.

The Process in Action

Phase 1: Defining the Core Experience ("Getting Help" vs. "Giving Help")

Recognizing our users would often be people in distress with varying tech literacy, I architected the "request help" flow to require maximum three taps—ensuring urgent problems could be reported regardless of technical skills.

Phase 2: Building Trust & Engagement

I designed three systems to build community trust: a ProductHunt-inspired voting mechanism surfacing urgent needs, an Expert Directory connecting users with verified specialists, and Community Groups fostering peer-to-peer support networks.

Phase 3: Validation & Refinement

I created a comprehensive interactive prototype and conducted moderated usability sessions with target users, validating both usability and emotional resonance—critical for a social impact platform where connection drives engagement.

The Outcome & Impact

The user-validated prototype became the foundation of HeartB's investor pitch, transforming an abstract social mission into a tangible, fundable product vision that demonstrated both user value and commercial potential.
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‍Transformed complex vision into intuitive three-tap user experience
‍Validated product-market fit through user testing and positive feedback
‍Enabled successful fundraising with investor-ready prototype as primary pitch asset

HeartB: Designing a 0-to-1 Social Impact App from Concept to Investment

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