Out-of-this-world personal safety
Saturn
Summary
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
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.
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.
My Contribution
Throughout the design process, I primarily contributed to the design of the app screens during the high-fidelity stage of development. This included creating a consistent design system, and visual language.
Design Process
Discover
Secondary Research
Define
Task Analysis
Storyboard
Technology
Ideate
Userflow
Sketches
Prototype (Low-fi)
Wireframes V.1
Wireframes V.2
Prototype (Hi-fi)
Moodboard
Hi-fi V.1
Hi-fi V.2
Discover
Secondary Research
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.
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.
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.
Ideate
Technology
Our button technology is based on the existing product Flic Buttons. A Flic Button is a small programable 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.
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.
Sketches
After finalizing the user flow diagram, we began creating sketches to visualize user interaction with the app
Low-fi Prototype
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
Wireframes
We then developed our interactive prototype, which allowed us to evaluate the heuristic properties of our prototype
Landing Page
Finally we developed a landing page to promote our product.
Conclusion and Reflection
This project produced many opportunities for problem-solving, critical thinking, and expanding my understanding of UX design. I believe the overall visual design of Saturn was successful and appropriately handled the seriousness of the subject while maintaining a level of interest and appeal. There are still many areas that I would like to develop further, specifically the connection between dating apps such as Tinder and the event creation process.
This project was another great opportunity to improve my collaborative working skills. As always, working as part of a team comes with its own challenges, but this project allowed me to work through new experiences and learn how to best communicate expectations, boundaries, and other vital aspects of completing a project.
Meet the Team
I worked closely with my peer Jarrett Garza for the duration of this project.
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Graphic DesignerUpcoming OU graduate with an BFA in Visual Communications.
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Graphic DesignerUpcoming OU graduate with a BFA in Visual Communications