Saturn
Personal Safety System
Contribution
Summary
I lead development in the early stages, beginning with the initial problem statement and proposed solution. I completed the storyboarding, lead the Lo-Fi wire framing process, and designed the landing page. My teammate Olivia lead research, initial and iterative sketches, and the Hi-Fi prototyping process. Each other stage of the process was equally collaborative.
Proposed Solution
Our solution is to create an app that gathers and stores information pertinent to the user’s outing. This would include identifying information of any individuals they plan to meet, Information about travel plans and venue, and the contact information for users’ support systems. This app would work alongside a wearable button device that signals the user’s support system when pressed. The button would be programmable to function differently depending on the number and length of presses. When activated, the button device would prompt the app to distribute the user’s location and information regarding the event to the user’s support system.
The primary goal of this project was to determine a problem and solve it by developing a ubiquitous system incorporating an app and an external device. Together, my project partner and I decided to focus on the safety concerns surrounding online dating.
Problem Statement
Online dating has created a new opportunity for people to socialize and pursue relationships in a more convenient and accessible way. However, it has also created a greater risk of harm, violence, and assault for all individuals. Currently, there’s no reliable way to discreetly ask for help.
A solution would be most beneficial if it included the person’s location, plan for the event, and other pertinent information, as well as being delivered directly to trusted individuals.
Design Thinking Process
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Secondary Analysis
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Task Analysis
Storyboarding
Technology
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Userflow
Sketches
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Wireframes v1
Peer Evaluation
Wireframes v2
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Moodboard
Hi-Fi Prototype v1
Heuristic Evaluation
Hi-Fi Prototype v2
Discover
Secondary Research
Define
Task Analysis
From the information we gathered through our secondary research, we were able to create a task analysis diagram to better conceptualize the steps that would be necessary for users to achieve their goals.
Technology
Our button technology is based on the existing product Flic Buttons. A Flic Button is a small programmable device that accomplishes different tasks depending on actions taken by the user. Our product uses this technology in a discreet and minimalistic pendant. This allows the user to easily activate the button without drawing attention to the action. Additionally, the simplistic style keeps the device inconspicuous while seamlessly fitting into any outfit.
User Flow
In order to begin designing the app, we created a user flow diagram. This diagram maps out the steps a user would take to complete a common or basic task within the app. This gave us a starting point for screen development. As shown in the diagram, the user would begin by creating an account and adding basic information to create their user profile. Then, they would create their primary and secondary contact profiles. Once these steps are complete, the user would be able to create events by adding information such as location, people they are meeting, who they are travelling and a general time frame.
Sketches
After finalizing the user flow diagram, we began creating sketches to visualize user interaction with the app.
Storyboard
Similar to the task analysis, we created a storyboard that allowed us to illustrate the context in which our design would be beneficial. This allowed us to identify subtle differences and points of user interaction with our product.
The images displayed show both sketches and a completed storyboard depicting a user learning about our product and using it at an event.
Scenario:
Sarah is nervous for a date so her roommate shows her an app and safety device that can help in a bad situation. The date ultimately does not go well and Sarah utilizes the system for her own safety.
Personas:
Sarah - Single college student
Sarah’s roomate - User of our proposed system
Chris - Sarah’s date, who has been dishonest before meeting in person
Ideate
Privacy
Information provided about other individuals would primarily be things already given to the public, such as age and gender, or visible observations, such as hair and eye color. Additionally the passive data collected by the app would be continuous tracking of the user’s location while an event is occurring. Our app would also collect active non-user data and information from other apps and digital sources. This would primarily include dating apps and Google Maps. There are always privacy concerns when an app collects information about the user, which is why the app is password protected and distribution of information is limited to a small pool of trusted individuals or EMS.
Lo-Fi Prototype & Test
Wireframes
The sketches we created gave us a guideline for our app’s development. We then iteratively developed our app’s screens.
Evaluation
Once our low-fidelity prototype was completed, it was reviewed by other UX designers. Collectively we decided that the primary area of correction was the format in which users input information. In the low-fi stage there were too many consecutive fields to fill which would have been overwhelming to the user. This also prompted us to revisit our color scheme and overall visual style.
These changes were then implemented in our high-fidelity prototype.
Hi-Fi Prototype & Test
Testing
We then developed our Hi-Fi prototype which allowed us to evaluate the heuristic properties of our app.
Iteration
Following testing and feedback, we continued to iterate our Hi-Fi prototype into a final interactive experience.
Our secondary research led us to investigate other apps that aim to solve this problem. The first app we reviewed was Noonlight. Noonlight connects to Tinder and allows people to track dates and connect other user profiles to the date. When Noonlight is used, it is shown on the user’s profile, which preemptively dissuades potential threats. The next app we reviewed was Safedate, which encompasses many of the features that were implemented in our app. These include setting dates and times of a predetermined event, adding friends as part of a safety net, and reminders to check-in. Safedate Includes some safety features but relies on using or having access to a phone. It does not include any additional devices to send necessary information externally. Finally, we reviewed Circle of Six. In this app, the user recruits six friends to be part of the circle. Three button options within the app result in different outcomes, including sending the person’s location and a predetermined message to all six people. However, the main issue that we found was that it requires six people and is not customizable enough with how information is shared. It also relies on using the app and phone directly.
Interactive Prototype
Landing Page
The Team
Jarrett Garza – Designer & Creative Lead
Olivia Land – Designer & Technical Lead