Intercultural Design - Task 1: Proposal
Cher Pei Ying (0389055)
Intercultural Design
Task 1: Proposal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Design
3.1 Ideas
3.2 Research Process
3.2.1 Problem Statement
3.2.2 Case Study
3.3.3 Design Direction
3.2.4 Refining Idea
3.3 Submission
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
1. LECTURES
My lecture notes:
2. INSTRUCTIONS
This task is to investigate urban mobility experiences within a
chosen city and their existing systems that succeed or fail. After that, we are required to develop a human-centered design intervention that respond to real urban challenges in the specific city.
Project brief: link
Submission Requirements:
A PowerPoint presentation of the proposal that contains:
• 200-word write-up defining and interpreting the theme in relation
to the chosen elements.
• Citation is necessary as evidence to the research.
• A minimum of 3 preliminary ideas in detailed sketches, each with
individual rationale.
• Visual references (visuals that inspire/influence those ideas).
• Reference list
• Picture credits
3. Design
3.1 Ideas
After discussing with my group members, we chose to do our research on
Kuala Lumpur.
We came up with four ideas:
Figure 3.1.1 Proposal Ideas
3.2 Research Process
3.2.1 Problem Statement
I first compiled the problems faced by the blind community to show the
difficulties they face when travelling in the city, and searched for some news
online to support my research.
Problems:
- Street navigation: Tactile paving are frequently blocked by street
stalls, motorcycles, tables and other obstacles and sometimes ends suddenly or
leads into poles, drains or roads.
- Wayfinding & Information: Kuala Lumpur has very limited braille
signage, tactile maps and audio-based navigation aids.
- Public transport accessibility issues: Inconsistent tactile guidance,
limited safety barriers at train platform edges, poor audio announcements and
the bus numbers are not announced clearly and drivers may stop far from the
curb.
Supporting news:
3.2.2 Case Study
Then, I did some case studies to study the currently available apps, systems
and devices used around the world to compare their strengths and weaknesses
to use the insights as references to further enhance our own design.
- Eye Navi: A Japanese app that gives audio guidance and obstacle
detection as a walking support tool for the visually impaired.
Reference Link: Eye Navi
- BeMyEyes: Offers valuable remote visual assistance, but its
limitations in connectivity, reliability, local transit knowledge and outdoor
navigation
Reference Link: BeMyEyes
3.2.3 Design Direction
After referring to the existing examples, I proceeded to work on my
design, which is a localised mobility support system. This system is a
hybrid system combining audio based wayfinding, local human assistance and
context aware information to support independent navigation for the blind
community in Kuala Lumpur.
Design Opportunities:
- The existing apps are reactive (help is provided only when asked) We
should build a continuous audio based navigation system embedded into
urban walking routes, like google maps, but more specific and accurate.
- Have trained staffs to help out in more specific areas such as the
public transport stations by giving audio informations.
- As Malaysia often rains, the system should have a real-time
environmental awareness weather forecast to remind the user of the
weather.
After receiving feedback from our lecturer, we made some changes to our ideas.
Idea 1: We changed the solution from redesigning a map to The "Cool-Path"
Integrated System
Idea 2: Installing a physical smart help beacon instead of creating a hybrid
system
Idea 3: Changed to crowd indicator in train stations
Idea 4 was approved and further on continued for more research.
3.2.4 Refining Idea
As the feedback I received is to focus on creating a real design rather
than a community service, I did more research on how to make my idea become
a physical thing. I discussed with my group mates and we agreed to change
the idea to installing smart help beacons like a directory, but it will be
audio based to ease the use of the blind community.
I did some research on Totupoint, a beacon that is installed at strategic locations in Poland, forming a
navigation and information system that enhances spatial awareness. By emitting
sound signals, the beacons allow users to precisely determine the direction
they need to follow to reach their destination. Additional space descriptions
are displayed in the Totupoint mobile app at each location where a beacon is
installed, providing further orientation and context.
Reference link: akustyk.pl
Then, I wanted to combine
Eye Navi, Be My Eyes and Totupoint key features into a single and cohesive
solution that is efficient in actual urban settings and effective at
delivering precise navigation. The suggested design aims to provide a more
consistent and user-centered experience by fusing the advantages of existing
applications, beacon systems and assistive technology.
Design Direction:
The above existing applications are only accessible through mobile phones,
which limits their usability as many visually impaired individuals do not
have access to a mobile device. Therefore, the idea is to combine the three
into a physical smart help beacon and include their characteristics:
- Be My
Eyes: Responsive assistance
- Eye Navi: Audio based navigation
- Totupoint: Physical beacon
By designing a physical interactive device installed in public spaces
combining local human assistance, audio based wayfinding and context aware
information, it supports independent navigation for the blind community in
Kuala Lumpur.
Design Details:
- The beacon panel: Install braille labels for activation panels on
the beacon, include different textures to represent different functions and add strong vibration feedback when pressed.
- Audio direction: Have smart AI or trained staffs to give out
spatial instructions through the beacon by giving audio informations and
instructions.
- Weather information: As Malaysia often rains, the system should
have a real-time environmental awareness weather forecast to remind the user
of the weather.
- Emergency Help Mode: Long press connects to nearby station staffs
and help desks.
This idea is then dropped out as the other three ideas suggested by my group mates were better. Therefore I focused on completing the other ideas in our PowerPoint.
3.3 Submission
Google drive link to recorded presentation and PowerPoint:
4. FEEDBACK
Week 2
We made a mistake in the PowerPoint, the theme is "Designing Urban Futures"
not "Designing Urban Features". For idea 1, the problem statement talks
about the difficulties of people living in the area, but in our solution the
focus shifted to tourisms. There is also no solution for the rain and heat
mentioned in the problem statement. The objective of the map in "Why use
this map" also doesn't relate back to the problem statement. Idea 2 need to
be more 'design' than a community service. Idea 3 is an already-implemented
solution. Idea 4 can be proceeded.
Week 3
Idea 1, 3 and 4 is good to proceed. For idea 1, we should take the
rapid-on-demand out as it is more of an offering of service rather than
a visually-related solution and it will confuse the design direction.
5. REFLECTION
This task was quite challenging to me as I am not good on research based work. It is also hard to keep track of the theme as I sometimes get out of topic when I conduct research, causing my final idea to be incorrect or at the wrong direction. I learnt a lot from my group mates after looking through their idea. I especially like the crowd indicator idea as I often use the train as my transportation vehicle, and I feel like this system can bring a lot of benefits if interpreted in real life. As for the presentation, I feel like I could have explain more in detail but I was limited to fulfill the time limit given.
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