Designing a Stigma-Free Donation Platform to Improve Access to Period Care
As team lead and UX designer, I initiated the concept and led the project from ideation to execution—shaping user flows, information architecture, and brand storytelling across digital and physical touchpoints.
Concept Design, Research, UX Design
Team
Uijin Yang, Seongjun Jeon, Geon Kim
5 months
Recognition
Red Dot Design Awards
UX Design Awards
We created a mobile platform that works as a both period tracker and a place to help people in need of menstrual products.
Final Design
Community
Share your concerns or get right information about female health in this safe, no-judgement community.
Period Calendar
Track your period cycle and record physical and emotional symptoms to identify your own patterns!
Donation Map
Donate cash or items to girls and women nearby. You’ll get thank you message from supportees, create stronger emotional bond between you two.
Period Products Taxed as Luxury
Every month, 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate according to Unicef. As period supplies like tampons and sanitary towels are necessity for women, it is taxed in many countries with the name of “tampon tax.”
It is no exception in developed countries. In fact, the stigma of menstruation remains even in more advanced nations.
Who are the competitors?
To address the issue from my end, I conducted competitive research on how different organizations are contributing to tackle the period poverty. Based on transparency and ease of use, two core principles for digital donation platform, I was able to map out the competitors in the matrix.
Disconnected from support that exists
With various approaches to solve the issue - period supply drive, free product dispenser, and donation - I have discovered issues from current solution:
We’ve all been there. You, Me, and Her.
After identifying problems that current solution have, I came up with a solution to close the both gaps - a period tracker app as a primary platform with an additional feature to donate products or cash.
According to BMC Women’s Health, unpredicted nature of periods and common experience of not having a menstrual product available when needed resulted in the culture of product sharing.
I focused on this common experience and designed an app to trigger users of bonding experience as well as sense of community by sharing.
23% of donors drop out after their first donation
From prior research, we have identified the consistent drop-out of donors. According to Fundraising Effectiveness Project: around 23% of donors churn just 6 months after their first donation, which means almost 70% of donors
give only once to an organization.
To prevent these common friction points from donation system, we have added features to strengthen emotional connection between donors and donees.
We’ve all been there. You, Me, and Her.
Based on the donation system, we set two separate user personas - supporter who take interest in period poverty issue and donate & supportee who is looking for help to get period supplies.
With details in our user persona, we were able to thoroughly create the system that both target users can be benefited from.
A safe space without stigma or the stress of affording menstruation
Through an intuitive donation flow and community-focused UX, Code Red helps users give or receive period care without fear of stigma or financial burden. Beyond the app, we designed campaign posters and a vending machine concept to create visibility in real-world spaces for whom don’t have access to mobile devices.
Building a Brand Identity
We created a comprehensive design system that goes beyond what is used in the final design. We built this following WCAG AA accessibility guidelines.
Where It Landed
Code Red was awarded the Red Dot Junior Award, recognizing our ability to turn a socially driven concept into a functional, emotionally resonant product. More importantly, the process deepened my belief that constant communication and iteration are essential not just for alignment, but for unlocking unexpected ideas. It taught me how to grow a concept from spark to system, balancing impact, usability, and collaboration skills I now bring into every team I join.
What did I learn from this project?
As a team lead and a UX designer who initiated this project, I have gained valuable insights and knowledge through the design process. Some of the key things I have learned are:
From Concept to Clarity
Our original idea for Code Red barely scratched the surface. Through rounds of ideation, feedback, and prototyping, the concept grew into something far more powerful. Every iteration unlocked new perspectives—not just on the product, but on the real needs we were trying to meet.
Speak Early, Move Faster
One of the biggest lessons was internal: clear communication is everything. Even when I hesitated to speak up, thinking I might slow things down, being open actually made our process smoother and more aligned. Collaboration only works when everyone feels informed and involved—and I’ll carry that into every team I join.