Design Phase: Ideation & Frustration

Identifying the solution of the bike theft problem is becoming a convoluted, painstaking, time-intensive challenge.
I've uploaded one of my design phase presentations for anyone to check out. It contains some of my sketches at the end, as well as the wireframes I'm working on for the website.

I think the best approach is to create a system that encompasses all aspects of education, awareness, community involvement and awesome hotness, but not everyone agrees with me. I presented the initial design work to the class and got some interesting responses, including, a) "Your approach is definitely one I wouldn't have taken," b) "Why do you think people are asking questions now? It's because they don't get it," and, c) "How how how is it going to be funded? What's the incentive? Who is going to be interested in this?"

I think the last questions (c) are the most valid ones and have led me to realize I still have some gaps to fill in, markets to pinpoint, and traditional cost analysis to do.

So just to clarify, comment a) was a reaction to my system approach of identifying touchpoints and tackling this large problem from a holistic perspective instead of through a direct, single-function product that "solves" bike theft. We're trying to educate and prevent bike theft here too you know. Question b) was probably out of pure frustration after my ideation presentation yesterday. People in my class have an infuriating tendency to question the most obscure, inane, irrelevant aspects of my work, leading me to believe they only pay attention when it benefits their personal agendas. Go figure, I know I do that some times, I just try to keep my mouth shut. But more importantly, is it an appropriate teaching tactic to corner a student and attack the work as if she's really the only one that cares about it? I understand it probably isn't as interesting to everybody as it is to me, but I appreciate some freaking guidance from my freaking professor. Constructive criticism and critique is what I prepare these presentations for, is it not? That's why I go to class, no? That's why we pay the $$$, and for what? ROR Moving on, c) is the real work I have to do to substantiate and validate what's being designed this week. Great.

First draft of the booklet, side one

First iteration of the wireframe

One of the first sketches of the wireframes for the website/forum/community/database

Design Opportunities

The sketch:


The presentation:
I identified 4 domains in which an appropriate solution can exist. The catch is that all the domains work interdependently with each other and any effective solution must incorporate all aspects of the domains. Basically that means a very big, very service design solution that includes everything I love times 1000.
Physical: an object or product that is made for specific users, lives in a specific location and is intended to be usable, accessible, useful and valuable to the user.
Digital: part of the solution incorporates an internet aspect in the form of a user-created-content forum, social network, database or all three. The digital aspect will work seamlessly with the other three domains to create a well-rounded tool and experience.
Education: awareness is created through accessible information. Giving users the tools and info needed to improve their lives is the best way to enable cultural or behavioral change. The education aspect will empower the community from the bottom-up.
Community: the support of neighborhoods, city government, local businesses and individuals will tie the domains together and create a successful solution that lives physically and digitally to promote the awareness of its people. The solutions exist within the community and for the community.

One idea/component for the solution is a physical booklet, a pocket-sized "manual" that gives the tools needed to promote strong biking practices in terms of registering a bike, how to lock up, what to do if it's stolen, et cetera.
The second page outline the contents of the manual and are a starting point for the final product. The manual will live in bike shops and community centers and serve as a physical aspect in the multiple-domain approach to solving bike theft in Savannah. Hell yes.

There's more on these sketches on my flickr. enjoy!

Research Presentation

I was the first to give my research presentation to my peers this week. I went over the time limit but people were interested and since I went first no one seemed concerned.  I presented my research through quotes and key findings in an effort to make it as contextual and real as possible.  Closing with my design opportunities, I discussed the directions I want to go for the solution.  Check out the whole presentation HERE.