THE NEXT BEST THING
Context: As an Experience Designer, I'm creating "The Next Best Thing," a user-friendly digital solution. The focus is on understanding users, using quick prototypes for testing, and ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Now take a look at the problem that Im making the solution for:
My brief translation: "When I was on my way to Budd Kitchen, I crossed an elder lady who lived in the retirement house. She was frustrated because she couldn’t keep the door open because of her rollator. When I helped her she was happy"
Let's observate it using the HMW Technique:
1.How might we make it easier for grandma to open doors with her walker?
2.How might we design a door handle that's easy for grandma to use with her walker and doesn't need a lot of strength?
3.How might we create a system that grandma can use to ask for help when she needs it, without feeling like she's bothering anyone?
4.How might we change the doors to make it simple for people with walkers to go through?
5.How might we use technology to help grandma open doors without any trouble, like maybe talking to the door or using a phone?
6.How might we make sure people around grandma know she might need help opening doors, so they can offer a hand?
7.How might we teach grandma to use her walker to open doors better, so she feels more confident?
8.How might we help grandma feel better about opening doors, so it doesn't make her upset?
9.How might we redesign doors at grandma's place to make it easy for her to get through with her walker?
10.How might we get people to help grandma open doors, not just doors, but make it like a friendly community thing?
After brainstorming using the SCAMPER and MIND-MAPPING TECHNIQUES
https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVNECmOKs=/?share_link_id=245183010747
Based on this my Digital Solution consists of:
Introducing the Responsive Passage Portal—a uniquely designed solution to redefine the way we navigate spaces, especially for our elders.
What's Cool About It:
Intelligent Motion Sensing:
The portal senses Grandma's presence and gracefully swings open, adapting to her natural movements.
Personalized Greeting:
A gentle acknowledgment lightens the doorway, making her entrance feel like a personalized welcome.
Adaptive Speed Control:
The portal adjusts its speed based on Grandma's pace, ensuring a comfortable and secure passage.
Intuitive Gesture Control:
A simple wave guides the portal, offering Grandma a touch-free experience, as if it's dancing to her command.
Interactive Assistance:
The portal communicates with Grandma through subtle visual cues, ensuring she feels supported and in control.
The Responsive Passage Portal goes beyond mere automation—it creates an interactive, almost magical experience, turning each door into a personalized gateway tailored to Grandma's unique needs and preferences.
Welcome to a future where doors are more than just barriers
This innovative portal is not just an automatic door opener, it's a personalized, user-friendly experience tailored to Grandma's needs.
The portal is smart, responding to Grandma's presence and gestures with ease. No need for special instructions,she can open the door at her own pace with a simple wave. What makes it even more special is the friendly greeting and subtle support, creating a positive experience each time Grandma passes through.
This isn't just about technology,it's about making Grandma's daily routine easier and more enjoyable.It's a step towards a more accessible future, where even passing through a door becomes a more pleasing experience for everyone and especially those with special needs.
As another solution we can use:
The Pressure Button Solution:
How It Works:
Install a pressure-sensitive button near the door, positioned at a convenient height for Grandma to press with minimal effort.
Grandma applies gentle pressure to the button using her hand or any part of her body, activating the mechanism.
Movement Sensor Solution:
How It Works:
Install a motion or movement sensor near the door, capable of detecting Grandma's movements as she approaches.
Upon detection, the sensor triggers the door to open automatically, eliminating the need for Grandma to physically interact with the door.
In this project, I learned that it's super important to think about what people really need and keep things simple and easy. Using technology in smart ways can be cool, but it's crucial to make sure it's practical and not too complicated. Friends and neighbors can be a big help, creating a sense of community support. Challenges like making ideas practical and affordable were there, but we solved them by listening to people's feedback and choosing solutions that are easy, helpful, and don't cost too much. These lessons will help me do better in the future when working on projects like this.
