The 20th Presidential Election in South Korea
Leading election reporting system design: a civic engagement milestone
The product
Naver News
My role
Product designer
Responsibilities
UX/UI Design
Project duration
Dec. 2021 - Mar. 2022
The problem
During the pandemic period in 2022, South Korea saw nearly 50,000 new COVID-19 cases daily. Social distancing measures posed significant challenges for voting, particularly for those diagnosed with or in self-quarantine. In this situation, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all voters was crucial.
The goal
Our election reporting system provided users with accurate, real-time information and combated misinformation, which promoted fair voter engagement and maintained user safety and trust. We measured the impact by analyzing the main and search page views and search query count.
Achievements
All-time high record metric
Mobile Search PV
Mobile Search QC
Understanding the user
From these personas, I aimed to ensure that the system addresses diverse needs, improves accessibility, and enhances user trust and engagement. I focused on improving the existing system into an inclusive election reporting system by considering users' age and accessibility needs.
User Context - Pandemic
COVID-confirmed cases voters: Lack government guidelines.
I've tested positive for COVID and am currently in self-quarantine... Yet, there are no clear government guidelines for COVID-infected voters. This is so confusing for me.
User Context - By Generation
I particularly want information on the nearby polling station... I'll be going alone with a stroller and am worried because I'm not familiar with using navigation apps.
User Context - By Generation 2
Portals like NAVER, with significant influence, must establish a fact-checking system that ensures objectivity to demonstrate a minimum moral responsibility.
Opportunities to address: Reveal strategic possibilities
I established personas by highlighting various aspects and challenges faced by each voter, and suggested features that align with these personas through a risk and certainty matrix.
How might we provide updated government guidelines to COVID-infected voters?
Provide voting guidance for COVID-19 voters
How might we ease access to local polling stations for elderly voters?
Guide to Location-Based Polling Stations
How might we enable Gen Z to easily verify the factual accuracy of political news?
Fact-Checking: Compare media checks and sources.
Starting the design
As one of the two lead designers for the special election page, I was responsible for news, polls, debates, and real-time voting status. Our team, based on user research, developed key features to provide voters with essential election-related information. We communicated closely with the election commission and released these features to users in three phases, aligned with the progression of the election.
Hi-fi prototype: Special election page provision
The special election page provided a comprehensive infrastructure with verified election content, including the latest news, poll results, and debate schedules, as well as informative infographics on past elections.
Hi-fi prototype: Real-time voting data visualization
During the election period, when users searched for a candidate's name, we provided information from the Central Election Management Committee. I led the data visualization efforts to offer concise and accurate real-time updates on voter turnout and ballot counting on the main page. This ensured users had instant access to essential voting information through real-time infographics reflecting the current voting stage.
Enhanced search results
Users could access detailed election information through concise data visualizations on the main page and search results for related presidential election keywords. Before Election Day, we ensured users could gain comprehensive election information. On Election Day, we provided real-time visualizations of voting and counting statuses, with candidate-specific and region-specific data to enhance understanding.
20-Shaped Identity
I designed the shape of the number '20' to emphasize and celebrate the election of South Korea's 20th president.
Takeaways
Participating as a designer in a project that provided crucial voting information to South Korean voters during a national event was incredibly valuable. We achieved record-high mobile main page views. During the pandemic, with strict self-quarantine measures in place, the election caused significant confusion. Quickly conveying government guidelines and creating personas to meet distinct generational needs were key to our success.