About the project
Problem
Natural disasters are very unpredictable and the ways information is spread and communication is handled only make a bad situation worse. On top of that, when the power goes out and cell service is down people are left without the use of the technology they depend on so much.
Solution
Node uses mesh network technology to form a self-sufficient wireless network that users can access even when normal systems fail. Using our network, users can send emergency messages, see up-to-date news and alerts, find important resources, and find the safest routes all on one, reliable platform.
Role: Product Designer
Year: September 2021 - March 2022
Node
(Target Audience)
-Communities-
Organizations do not properly provide the help and information people need, so they look to their communities for assistance
Stakeholder Map
Why Communities?
"People are hard-wired to come together as a community after disasters... most search and rescue after a disaster is done by people in their communities, long before professionals arrive."
- Mitch Stripling, assistant commissioner of Agency Preparedness and Response
Secondary Research
Why Communication breaks down?
After a disaster, so many people are trying to contact loved ones and get emergency help that it causes a lot of congestion and stops people from being able to use cell service.
Congestion
Cell phones depend on a network of receivers and transmitters which relies on power systems and computers.
Lack of Electricity
Losing just one cell phone tower site can cause localized dead spots in the area where you need to communicate.
Replace Cellular Towers
Key Takeaways
Primary Research
Hypothesis
Improving disaster communication will help people feel safer
and better prepared before, during, and after natural disasters
Research
Questions
🔵 How do people plan for natural disasters? (e.g. supplies, evacuation e.t.c.)
🔵 How do people communicate during a natural disaster?
🔵 Where do they get information from?
🔵 How intense does a situation have to be in order to need communication support?
🔵 How can we help give people a safe environment during natural disasters?
Primary Research Methods
🔵 We conducted a survey specifically designed for college students when they were our target audience. Because the information was so specific to them we decided to disregard the insights we got from these responses
Insights -
🔵 People don’t feel prepared for natural disasters
🔵 Most people feel scared and concerned about natural disasters
🔵 They don’t know where to find resources or help
🔵 Family and close friends typically make up someone’s support system
🔵 People wish they received disaster education, as well as information and resources when a disaster hits
🔵 Most rely on their friends for help and guidance
Insights -
🔵 Local volunteers and organizations are the true first responders
🔵 The relief and recovery process takes a very long time to start
🔵 Information from the top is ineffectively spread to the general population
🔵 The relief and recovery process takes a very long time to start
🔵 Planning is extremely important
🔵 There is a lot of good information out there, but it’s hard to find what you need
Insights -
🔵 Getting in contact with family and friends is
important to people
🔵 Gathering as much information as possible is a top priority for people
🔵 Most people don’t own or use a secondary
a device that does not rely on cell service, but
would be willing to use a radio device
🔵 People lean on their community for information and support before, during, and after natural disasters
Affinitization
We took all of the insights and affinitized them down to our key insights. We then used these key insights to create our HMW’s and guide our ideation.
🔵 Lack of communication results in many issues, especially for rescue and relief efforts
🔵 Having a plan beforehand and preparing sooner would make a big difference and is crucial for safety
🔵 People want quick, concise, trustworthy information that actually applies to them
🔵 People look to local volunteers and organizations to find information and get help
🔵 People lack knowledge on how to get through natural disasters and where to find resources and information
🔵 Most people don’t have a secondary communication device, but would be willing to try a radio device
Overall Research
Takeaways
How
Might
We?
Umbrella
How
Might
We?
Persona
User Journey Map
We wanted to evaluate all of the different factors before, during, and after a disaster to see where all of the problems lie at each step of the disaster process, so can get a better understanding and accurately form Monica’s journey
Competitive Analysis
Opportunity Area
A reliable, cost-effective product that provides accurate, real-time information to help users navigate through a natural disaster
Lo-Fi
News Updates screen (LO-FI)
Guide (LO-FI)
Planning Checklist (LO-FI)
Profile (LO-FI)
The name of our product was Ezra but after receiving feedback, we realized Ezra had too many features. Therefore, we decided to cut the excess and focus on core features that are most significant in natural disaster communication
Mid-Fi
Recieve up-to-date news alerts on both the app and device
Find necessary resources in their area vetted by members of the community
Provide users with shareable checklists to help them plan
Save important personal data to their app and device
We did our Lo-Fi app test with experts and other users using Figma prototype and we made changes to our mid-fi from the insights we got.
Product Lo-Fi
-
Cylinder with ridges to prevent rolling
-
Pop-up antenna
-
Full twist to send SOS message
-
Acts as a node for the mesh network
Product User Testing
Positive
-
Small enough to carry, but not too small
-
Simple, clean design
-
Twisting creates a fun, unique interaction
Negative
-
Cylindrical shape can slip from hand
-
Rectangular design is easier to put in your pocket and carry
-
Skinny antenna in the middle looks weird
Final Product
Devices
-
Create a decentralized, self-sufficient wireless network
-
Secondary form of emergency communication
Application
-
Emergency messages
-
Up-to-date news and alerts
-
Important resource mapping and navigation
-
Connection to volunteers and community
Node
-
0.3 - 0.6 miles (Range)
-
Always stays connected to other nodes and beacons
-
Can work as a stand-alone voice communication device
-
Twist to contact emergency help
Beacon
-
Organizations set up beacons around
the area -
Set up in Public spaces(schools, libraries,...)
-
1 - 2 miles(range)
-
Always connected to nearby Nodes
-
Battery Powered
-
Easy to install at any location
Interaction Model
Branding
Business Model
