Homeward Scoring Platform

Redesigned Homeward's scoring platform from Excel to a streamlined digital experience, using user research and iterative prototyping to balance player needs with client objectives.

PROJECT DETAILS

Role

UX Designer

Team

Homeward UX Team

Timeline

Spring 2026

Overview

Homeward is an educational board game that teaches urban planning professionals the fundamentals of residential housing development.

I conducted user interviews, designed the visual style guide, and built the high-fidelity prototype. Working alongside three teammates who created user personas and journey maps, we transformed the Excel-based system into an intuitive digital experience.

PROBLEM

The existing scoring system relied on a clunky Excel spreadsheet that slowed gameplay and frustrated users. Players struggled to navigate complex formulas and track progress efficiently.

Before

After

Niki Taradash

RESEARCH & DISCOVERY

We used a three-phase research strategy to understand the current experience and identify opportunities for improvement.

Phase 1

Before conducting new research, we reviewed feedback forms from previous Homeward players to identify patterns.

What players struggled with:

• Excel spreadsheet was confusing and hard to navigate

• Difficult to visualize goal progress and tradeoffs


What players struggled with:

• Excel spreadsheet was confusing and hard to navigate

• Difficult to visualize goal progress and tradeoffs


What players struggled with:

• Excel spreadsheet was confusing and hard to navigate

• Difficult to visualize goal progress and tradeoffs


Phase 2

To dig deeper into the Excel pain points, we interviewed 2 urban development professionals who represent the type of people Homeward is designed for.

What we learned:

• Bar graphs are the most intuitive way to show goal achieved and progress

• Discovered the standard color palette used in urban development professional settings


What we learned:

• Bar graphs are the most intuitive way to show goal achieved and progress

• Discovered the standard color palette used in urban development professional settings


What we learned:

• Bar graphs are the most intuitive way to show goal achieved and progress

• Discovered the standard color palette used in urban development professional settings


Phase 3

From our feedback analysis and interviews, we developed two user personas representing our primary audiences.

John Smith

Boston City Council Member (District 7)

Age36
LocationDorchester, MA

Bio

John Smith is serving his second term as a District 7 councilman. He ran unopposed after his first term.

Goals

•Improve affordability, safety, and education
•Lack of seamless handoff between design and development
•Time-consuming repetitive tasks

Frustrations

•Regulatory stagnation leads to frustration regarding lack of change
•Massachusetts's restrictive zoning policies

Margaret Callahoun

Brookline Representative Town Meeting Member

Age58
LocationBrookline, MA

Bio

Margaret is a retired public school teacher, volunteers part-time for the non-profit Rosie’s Place.

Goals

•Improve Brookline’s housing shortage and affordability issues
•Ensure neighborhood character, protecting historic zones
•Increase political awareness and transparency of youth and adolescents

Frustrations

•Open Town Meetings can last hours, causing voter fatigue and lack of political interest
•Position is volunteer-based, so lacks representation of working class individuals
•Most zoning changes require a 2/3 majority, increasing the difficulty to enact changes

DEFINING THE SOLUTION

User Journey

What players struggled with:

• Excel spreadsheet was confusing and hard to navigate

• Difficult to visualize goal progress and tradeoffs


User Flow

This ideal experience informed our information architecture and navigation structure.


SOLUTIONS IN ACTION

Goal Cards

Intentional Pacing Through Prompts

Pop-up prompts throughout the flow remind players to return to the board and discuss decisions with their team.


DESIGN DIRECTION

We received ULI's brand kit.

Visual Style Guide

RESULTS

  • Selecting Goal Cards

  • Housing Goals

  • Disruptor Cards

  • Selecting Goal Cards

  • Housing Goals

  • Disruptor Cards

APPLICATION

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