A systems design concept project that addresses a "City-Wide" problem that can be fixed with a connected device. Together, with Yuvi, we can decrease the rates of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths. Let’s help take away worries and illness to help citizens live happier and healthier lives.
MY ROLE
Product Designer
PROJECT TYPE
Interaction Design & Prototyping Final Project
TIMEFRAME
December 2021 (Three Weeks)
PROJECT SUMMARY
After research and prototyping, I have developed a new solution to help citizens protect themselves and protect others from COVID-19. Using Bluetooth, smartphones, UVC light and UVC protective material, I have created a face mask that can inactivate COVID-19 from entering one’s mask as well as leaving one’s mask. Energy from UVC light is absorbed by COVID-19 virus and quickly destroys the genetic material inside the COVID-19 virus making COVID-19 inactive. This UVC face mask uses special cloth to protect citizens from being exposed to the UVC light, therefore, there are no short or long-term negative effects from using this face mask.
Additionally, the UVC face masks are connected via Bluetooth to smartphones. When users download and connect with the UVC face mask app, they will be notified to put on their mask when approaching large groups of people so they can better protect themselves and others. The UVC face mask also displays users’ vaccination status, and their temperature to others. This can help city employees, like restaurant workers, identify who they need to decline service to, to protect unmasked customers. The user can also view their own biometrics in the UVC face mask app as well as others around them to better educate themselves about the people in their surroundings.
THE CHALLENGE
At the time of this project, 2,041 lives in King County alone were taken away due to COVID-19. In just King County, there are 160,454 confirmed positive cases and the number continues to rise daily. Despite lockdowns, face masks, air purifiers, and vaccinations, it feels like there are no other options to fight against COVID-19 and to protect the citizens from contracting COVID-19.
THE SOLUTION
Problem Statement
The first part of this concept project was to come up with a problem statement that relates to a "city wide" problem that can be addressed through connected devices. Since COVID-19 was still very much in it's peak at the time of this project, especially in large cities, I decided to focus on a solution to decrease the spread of COVID-19 through connected devices.
Storyboards
The second step for this project was to create storyboards of the product in real life scenarios. The first step I took to accomplish this task was to create a persona.
After creating a persona for this product, the next step was to create two different scenarios along with a description of the sensors, processors, and output in relation to the product.
THE RESULTS
The third and final step for this project was to create a video prototype. Over a one week period I put together the final video prototype for Yuvi based on my problem statement and storyboarding. See below for the full video prototype.
Reflections
This project was fast paced and helped me understand what it might look like working in the industry. Having to create deliverables quickly and high quality was a challenge, but this process showed me it's possible as long as you have the right system. In this case, it was a three step process of identifying a problem, brainstorming through storyboarding and creating a video prototype to present your ideas.
