Creating a mobile solution to enhance safety measures for marginalized communities in Los Angeles
ui/ux design
designathon
Create a prototype that creates a solution promoting safety for all students within the Los Angeles communities. Consider the diversity of backgrounds, circumstances, and resources of these students as you prepare your final submission.
To enhance safety and inclusivity for Los Angeles citizens we ideated a solution that created an alliance between citizens and stores.
Convert stores into safe spaces ⇆ Convert people into conscious travelers
7 hr designathon + 4 wk redesign
Lead Product Designer, Lead UX Researcher
Figma
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
82% of college students reported feeling concerned about their personal safety on campus in a 2021 study by ADT and Clery Center. With many opportunities to venture out within the college culture, safety must be kept in mind, especially for students who identify to be part of marginalized groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, people with disabilities, etc. Scalable, sustainable, and accessible resources for a large number of university students are in need.
To get a baseline understanding of the demographic in a short amount of time, we conducted a survey with 48 respondents and 3 semi-structured interviews. As the prompt was targeted toward UCLA students, we had a wide user pool that could bring rich insight into exploring the problem.
We wanted to figure out how we could make this app more positive and community-building than another safety app
Reoccurring factors that fueled this anxiety included a prevalence in dimly-lit, unkept areas and not having appropriate protective measures (tasers or pepper spray)
Participants agreed that even small group settings don't feel safe. They felt safest in crowded areas with large groups of people
There was an overwhelming agreement that safety was a halting factor in venturing out in Los Angeles.
To align what the problem is and understand what problems to solve for, we conducted a simple competitive analysis
Furthermore we created user personas by using the information we gathered from our research.
A emergency dispatch app that saves details to your timeline just in case anything happens.
However you cannot hide your pin and must pay to connect the features with other apps
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A GPS tracking app that also offers features such as bluetooth trackers and roadside assistant calls
Features such as bubble mode or ghost mode may tow the line between helping and hindering the purpose of the app
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An app that provides live news and real-time safety alerts. You can connect with loved ones and alert them
Paid subscription is needed to see the descriptions of what is occurring. It also relies on user updates leading to unmonitored alerts.
1. Students do not feel current measures are keeping them safe yet know which factors help them feel at ease
2. Current solutions offer diverse solutions in multiple apps but none cater to the demographic we are tackling
3. The issue of safety is causing concerns and even prohibiting the exploration of campus and the city
In order to encourage safety measures that can be used in emergencies with minimal friction and include features that encourage exploration/discover we needed to create a balanced user flow which incorporated both aspects.
In order to collaborate ideas in a group quickly and efficiently, we used paper prototyping to illustrate our ideas. This way we were able to picture the users needs with low cost.
I created a comprehensive design system that goes beyond what is used in the final design. This helped me understand the intricacies of design systems and build screens faster. Specific use cases were assigned to differentiate between interfaces. Furthermore, with the feedback on accessibility in mind, the font, colors, buttons, etc. were all redefined from the competition iteration.
In order to explore solidified ideas and solutions, I used the feedback to create a stronger final product after the designathon.
The final iteration tackles all research takeaways created with accessibility and community building integrated.
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The main page provides reminders for preventive measures to increase safety prior to going out. Users can rate their overall feelings of safety in an area and self-report whether an area is crowded, well-lit, and more based on their locations. Self-reporting and check-ins are rewarded with points that can be used to compete with friends. The UI is playful and gamified in order to encourage use.
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Users can silently summon help to their exact location with the tap of a button which protects and comforts people so they can explore freely. Alternative options such as alerting friends instead of 911 dispatchers are also available.
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Before being recommended to users, businesses are converted into safe spaces through a certification system that covers information such as, security systems, lighting for well-lit areas, secure entrances and exits, employee training on recognizing suspicious activity, and protocol on emergency response.
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The map interface uses your location to determine recommended stores and businesses that are certified as safe spaces. Businesses are also encouraged to gather points through the self-report game system in order to increase visibility to users.
This project was intense given the limited time we had to ideate and build. I learned how to prioritize and balance multiple aspects from creativity, functionality, and solving the problem
Although our team had several ideas for other prompts, choosing the one that resonated and affected us helped build the motivation we needed to develop creative solutions.
Using the feedback we received from the judges, I found direction in strengths and weaknesses. Combining the feedback of our team members and the judges allowed me to build a strong prototype. However, I also learned to take autonomy when suggestions collide.
