design thinking portfolio

Natasha KoshyBhoomika GhagadaVarsha Vishnu Prasad Farah Ibrahim

Design Thinking Portfolio

37505405213183741964

Fall’13DES 394Professor Gaurang Desai

The BriefThe forces of globalization are reshaping cities by making them a hub for economic and cultural exchange. This has resulted in cities actively competing with each other to become a favored hub for the networked economy. One of the most common strategies employed by politicians, urban designers and policy makers towards achieving this has been a program of massive and systematic investments in the urban environment to build cultural, economic and entertainment spaces. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in a growing sense of placelessness or the McDonaldization of the urban environment wherein lay people feel left out and unable to voice their opinion on how the urban spaces they have grown up with, should evolve.

The enormous growth of innovative uses of computing, mobile devices, and rich sources of data however provide us with a voice. The urban spaces of the future will be saturated with both visible and hidden media that gather and transmit information. How can we as designers help lay users to gain a voice for themselves? How can we help them reclaim their cities? How can cities accommodate both the local and the global? You will research how urban spaces are represented in the popular press (meant for global consumption) and research unique perspectives of those who live within it. You will then match the users views to a designed artifact that maps, annotates, allows users to build relationships and build an alternate, more local image of their cities.

Reclaiming and Redefining Urban Spaces

1 Domain MappingTo gain a sound understanding of the chosen domain, and to conduct thorough research of the popular trends as well as artifacts/ services designed to cater to those trends.

We researched current design trends in four different areas: Art Installations, Digital Innovation,Architectural Reclamation and Community Engagement on a global level. We then grouped problems sharing a similar theme as shown on the left, before summarizing and analysing our findings, as reflected on our Tumblr blog entry on the left.

2 User EmpathyRecruiting and interviewing subjects on the selected domain.

Engagement and Activities

- sheesha cafe- hockey- parties

- clubbing- shopping

Where to go?

Consults with

Convenience in Transportation

- Car is important -Driving or call a friend

- Does not use public transport

Evane

Friends

- social interaction- college friends and lifestyle-opinions and personalities

- Some like to go out more than others

Emotional Attachment

- memories at certain places and favorite

spots are the most frequently visitied - CASA sheesha cafe

Sometimes tra�c is worth it

Technology

- Refers to Foursquare suggestions and reviews

Weather

- incredibly hot - everything is built aroung the

concept of convenience- indoor culture - everything

is air-conditioned- cultural restrictions on clothing

makes the weather worse

Infrastructure of Dubai

Culture

- There’s a culutre of jaywalking - lack of walking tracks

and bicycles lanes- driving is a priority

Infrastructure of Dubai

Transport

- Not the most economical - Transport is time-consuming- No cabs during prayer times

- Tra�c is a pain- Really di�cult to live without a car

Friends and Family

- the ones in Dubai are easier to relate to than the

ones living abroad because Dubai culture is di�erent

Locals

- have adapted to expatriate culture

- for instance, can speak Hindi

- Makes expatriates feel welcome

Interaction with People

Friends from di�erent cultures

- get to learn about di�erent traditions and values - Evane celebrates Eid

Evane’s Interaction with people in Dubai

Daily interaction with diverse people

- Philipino ladies at Mc’Donald’s, Pakistani friends, American professors

- makes Dubai a tolerant and friendly place to live

Friends and Family

- the ones in Dubai are easier to relate to than the

ones living abroad because Dubai culture is di�erent

Parents

- Moved here from India to earn a living but still want to work here

-Fond of the city

Multicultural Environment

- tolerance for other cultures

Things change very quickly in Dubai

- demolishing places and reconstruction

Identity of Dubai

Image of progress and industrialization

Di�erence in mindset

- easier to meet new people than

India but not as open as USA

Architecture is very di�erent

- they try to incorporate the old- everything is �ashy and bright

Identity of Dubai

Home

Luxury

Hot weather

Expensive and Convenient

Sheesha culture

Multicultural - Metropolitan

- many subcultures

Strong Cultural Rules -

Restrictions on clothingRestrictions on expression-

limits the experience of the citizens

Culture of Dubai

High Life- Wealthy people

- Expensive and luxurious- The experience you have depends on the amount of money you have

Highly Advertised

Man-made - Charming but

pretentiousDUBAI

- according to Tarun

Home

Convenient Lifestyle

Fast- paced life

-health concsious living

Desert

Tarun

What is the purpose of the outing?

- entertainment- food - social life- shopping

Friends

- frequent weekend hangouts- amount of money they have

Tra�c

- most important thing to take into consideration- tra�c plays a massive role - would rather take salik than get stuck in tra�c. - FrIends carpool with each other

Where to go?

Consults with

Advertised as a pretty picture for tourists

Ostentatious Architecture

Identi�cation with Dubai

High Life

- Search to look for signs of poverty even though there’s plenty

Public Transport - should connect to other emirates

- more convenienceIdentifying with DUBAI

Home

Lack of authenticity

- because all cultures cannot organically express themselves.

- Like New York

Tarun ShyamGraduate of American University of SharjahAge: 23 yearsLived in Dubai for 14 years

Evane D’SouzaStudent at American University of SharjahAge: 21 yearsBorn and raised in Dubai

Person

Transporatation“not always have a car”

Place“decent and nice”

Friends“To go with them”

Parents“permission to go out”

Interview 2Cultural model

Person: - Civil engineer

- masters- Owns a car

Conditons- easy to drive to

- close to work/university- weather

Family- Go for dinner

- family gathering

Friends- to hang out with

- if they need a ride

Cafe- indoor shisha

- to meet friends- have lunch or dinner

Malls- for shopping- walk around- there is a/c

Interview1�ow model

BBM/Call

Person: - Student

- architecture

Transport- needs a car- what is close

Malls- shopping- restaurant

Friends- to hang out with

- if they need a ride- sit and talk

Parks- prefer park in nice

weather- park where the car can

go inside

Meseum- to see art work

- new art intallments

Interview2�ow model

Interviewee #1

-

Dad

-

Mother

-

Car -

Dad

Intervewiee # 1

Friends

CostTime

Intervewiee # 2

DadMother

Friends-

-

-

Siblings

-

-

Intervewiee # 2

Dad

-

Appearance-

Place

Friends

People (Fear of opinion)-

Interviewee # 1

Flow Model Cultural Model

Flow Model Cultural Model

Interviewee # 2

Manju - 21 years old

- 5th year Architecture Student - Food Lover

WORK

- University Assignmentsdecide the outing schedules/ pref-

erences

FOOD / RESTAURANTS- Type of food

- Location of Restaurant

PARKING- Parking spaces are important

to her- Inadequate parking spaces discourage her subsequent

visitsPREFERRED PLACES - JBR Walks

- Downtown areas- Qasba

- Majaz waterfront area

FAVOURITE PLACE- Mirdi� City Center

- instant liking to the area- familiar with almost all shops

- has a set route that she always follows

- store employees recognize her

- visits every week

INDOOR CULTURE- Prefers indoor intimate

settings more- Not an active outdoor

person

FRIENDS

- Always meets in Dubai

- More places and entertainment

TRAFFIC

- Choice of restaurant a�ected by the time she may have to

spend on road , stuck in tra�c to Dubai

CLIMATE- Days are too hot

- Prefers to go out at evening or at night

FAMILY

- Prefers to go to places in Sharjah

Manju- drives own car

- does not generally use public transport

FRIENDS

- Always meets in Dubai

- More places and entertainment

TRAFFIC

- Choice of restaurant a�ected by the time she may have to

spend on road , stuck in tra�c to Dubai

SOCIAL MEDIA

- Checks reviews on Zomato, TimeOutDubai and Facebook

to �nd restaurants

FAMILY

- Prefers to go to places in Sharjah to avoid

tra�c

Meets them at destination

Takes them to restaurants in Sharjah

to avoid tra�c



Bhoomika Ashvinkumar | ID # 40521 Farah Ibrahim | ID # 39421 Natasha Koshy | ID # 37505 Varsha Vishnu Prasad | ID # 31837

Roshni

- 24 yrs old- Architecture

student at AUS

WORK

- University Assignmentsdecide the outing schedules/ pref-

erences



PREFERRED PLACES - JBR Walks

- Beache areas- Qasba

- Majaz waterfront area-Bastakiya

OUTDOOR CULTURE

- Prefers outdoor settings more

- Visits parks and beaches when climate is good

CLIMATE- Days are too hot

- Prefers to go out at evening or at night

FRIENDS

- takes her when free- they decide the loca-

tions , because they drive

HOPES-would like to go to smaller souq like areas more , pre-

fers if such trend would emerge, where she can feel

more connected to the place she shops from or visit

Roshni- do not own car

- generally use public transport

FRIENDS

- takes her when free DESTINATION

- generally like to go to beaches and JBR walks - do not like malls, but

forced to spend time due to lack of opporunities

TRAFFIC

- Choice of destinations a�ected by the time she may have to spend on road , stuck

in tra�c to Dubai

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-has to consider bus timings

from AUS- buy tickets to Rashidiya

- use Metro

from university to destination

Person

Weather“determines where to go”

Malls/cafe’s“if shisha is there”

Family“To go with them”

Friends“where to go”

Interview 1Cultural model CULTURAL MODEL

CULTURAL MODEL

FLOW MODEL

FLOW MODEL

Using the city of Dubai as our domain, we conducted interviews of two subjects each. The information was then analysed and represented in the form of work models, mainly flow and cultural models,. These depict the specific factors influencing the decision making process of going out, spending leisure time and the like in Dubai.

3 Interpretation & AffinitiesBreakdown and resynthesis of interview information in the form of newer models, in addition to grouping similar themes/ factors as a method of sharing information and gaining group input.

The interpretation process involved a physical sorting and categorizing of ideas after a detailed recap of each member’s interviews. The result was groups of ideas with the same affinities to one particular theme. These were summarized, given insights and used as bases for design ideas.

3 Affinities

SummaryFirstly, we found a huge distinction between how people spend their weekends and weekdays.

The access to technology and the ease with which they can use it, determines their interest to explore the city. People plan outings amongst friends using instant chat forums like bbm, whatsapp and foursquare.

InsightsUnanimously, Friday was a family day which means that the family (mainly the father) dictates where to go. Since Friday tends to be a family day, the hectic lifestyle of the working members of the family limits exploration and the interest to do so. Because of their busy schedules, they find themselves at familiar places due to indecision.

Exploration tends to be greater during the weekends specifically with friends because time available on weekdays is limited by their schedules. Weekdays are dominated by visiting familiar and convenient places.

Design IdeasIncrease people’s convenience to explore during weekdays and families’ convenience to explore during weekends.

SummaryThe lifestyle of people living in Dubai revolves around whether or not they have access to a car, their ability to navigate and traffic.

InsightThere seems to be a growing culture of carpooling amongst friends because of traffic and poor direction sense.

Lack of a car and the inconvenience of public transport create a dependency on the driver, giving him decision-making power.

Social life improves with car access.

Design IdeaTravelling marketplace (during Fridays)

SummaryThe manner in which the space in Dubai is designed lacks a sense of intimacy.

InsightsHot weather leads to indoor culture, where people do not get a sense of liberation. Outings do not provide the release people look for in terms of personal interaction with spaces and people. There is also an overstimulation of the senses, which contributes to this frustration.

People yearn for more intimate and open spaces, not standardized designs.

Design ideasAlternative routes to a place through cute streets smaller streets, alternative routes. Giving everyone diff routes- through apps. To get to the same place.

SummaryThere seems to be a single-minded focus on appearances in all aspects of Dubai culture.

InsightsThere is a strong class hierarchy that influences people, pressurizing them to keep up appearances regardless of the their financial background. They therefore choose places depending on their adaptability to that particular class environment.

Dubai is viewed as a city built to impress and solely for economic progress. This particular tendency has created a cold, impersonal atmosphere in popular haunts like malls, hotels, etc.

The decision making of where to go is influenced by popular trends and places visited on social media.

The subcultures are not allowed to blossom organically, like in other cities [New York]. There is a homogeneity in culture- a hybrid of Western culture and a dash of other cultures just in order to ‘fit in’.

SummaryThe face of Dubai is constantly changing- constant demolition and reconstruction.

InsightMemories are being formed but emotional attachments aren’t with newer places. Emotional attachments are stronger with places linked with old Dubai.

Constant change is causing frustration in the decision making process, leading people to resort to the familiar.

Culture and heritage of the place is used for aesthetic appeal but is not an element which is deeply rooted in the city. The face of Dubai is constantly changing according to expatriates’ standards, imitating the western culture which causes it to lose its authenticity.

Citizens do not get a say in what should change and if it should change- wholly the government’s decision.

Design IdeaUsing old spaces for new uses or recreating a cultural space with modern principles.

4 Ideation & PrototypingThis phase involved the creation of a systemic chart in order to map the existing system and locate the problems contained therein. Small scale solutions were then developed to modify the system by addresing most, if not all problems. Scenarios were also created in order to place the proposed product in context, in addition to wireframes that outlines the solution in a detailed manner.

The systemic chart was created to identify the gaps between demand and supply of urban spaces in Dubai. The analysis revealed a sizeable gap between the demand for intimate, environmentally friendly places that are time efficient to reach and the resultant zoning of a supply of separate work, leisure and residential spaces. The implications created by this include inefficient infrastructure, lack of emotional attachment and a rigid power structure with no space for the public voice. Our solution aims to combat these three implications with three phases of an App that aids in the reporting of community problems, sharing of memories and public opinion to target each issue respectively.

4 Ideation & PrototypingSystemic Chart

4 Ideation & PrototypingThe Solution: Phone App

The solution consists of a phone App that will be released in 3 phases: Memories, Opinions & Problems. This project only tackles the first phase, however. Residents’ identity with Dubai is fortified via their ability to share memories, post problems and share opinions on changes in their community and city via this app. Moreover, they will be able to view the pace of change in terms of these three parameters physically and with the help of gradient color changes with the 3 respective heatmaps, as sharing is done on the basis of location. Thus, each category will be color coded throughout, especially on the heat map, as users can easily filter and ditinguish between the three on the map itself. The app also has its own social network in terms of the newsfeed that can be filtered according to the category, and always displays trending topics.Users can also post pictures as a way to better visualize and describe memories or problems. Finally, conversations are two way as public authorities and builders may reply to problems and ideas via the comments section of the newsfeed, which allows healthy progress toward change on whatever scale it may be. This app may merely deepen the residents’ bond and sense of responsibility toward the city, or may actually lead to tangible and sizeable changes in the community. Either situation satisfies the brief’s requirements.

MemoriesOpinionsProblems






4 Ideation & PrototypingThe Solution: App Wireframe Sketches

4 Ideation & PrototypingThe Solution: App Scenario Sketches

Phase 1: MemoriesAlicia uses the ‘memories’ category of the app to record a memorable time she just shared with her friends at a restaurant in JBR. She uses the app to write a review for the restaurant, her experience with her friends, and add a picture of her friends to the location on the heatmap. She can go home to review her entry and view her friend’s experiences at the same location on the heatmap.

Phase 2: OpinionsWhen Alicia notices a new building site in her area, she logs on to the ‘opinions’ category of the app and looks for a discussion and poll on this site in her area. She clicks on it in the newsfeed, adds her poll opinion and comment, and folllows the developments of the project via comments form the builders and other users. When a building is built taking into consideration her opinion, she feels empowered.

Phase 3: ProblemsWhen Alicia notices a street lamp that is not working in her neighbourhood, she speedily reports the problem via her phone app using the ‘problems’ category by marking its location on the heatmap and adding a picture of the broken street lamp. The authorities reply in the comments section, ensuring her that the situation is being taken care of. She feels happy to have contributed to her neughbourhood.

4 Ideation & PrototypingThe Solution: App Prototype

4 Testing

The prototype was tested using a heuristic evaluation technique where users are meant to test the app and rank it in a severity report according to 10 design heuristics. Phase 1 (Memories) was tested as it was the introductory phase developed. Three functions were tested in this category, with 3 users for each. These 3 functions were: registering as a user, publishing a memory without uploading a picture and publishing a memory with an uploaded picture. The following severity reports reflect the results of the testing.

1. Registering as a User

User 1

User 2

User 3

4 TestingHeuristic Evaluation of Prototype

After an analysis of all the severity reports, the following were the implemented changes to the final prototype above:

• Status bar for picture uploading in terms of percentage uploaded• Tag users option added whilst uploading• Help (question mark icon) option added on each page with respect to each step of

the process. User is directed to a help page where the function of that process is described, including future steps for reference as a way ahead.

2. Publishing a Memory Alone

User 1

User 2

User 3

4 Testing2. Publishing a Memory Alone & Uploading a Relevant Picture

User 1

User 2

User 3

4 Testing

Natasha KoshyBhoomika GhagadaVarsha Vishnu Prasad Farah Ibrahim

37505405213183741964

Documents

design thinking portfolio