AN INTERACTIVE INTERFACE

A Community stated problem

Created by:

Saakshi Dixit

Facilitated by:
D r. D y u t i m a n M u k h o p a d h y a y
BACKGROUND
Most senior citizens and new residents in housing complexes of
metropolitan cities often tend to remain looped out of
information and communication in their neighbourhood.

If we were to sort of take a step back and analyse how we could

improve that for the unity and wellness of the complex is an
intervention here.

Keeping up with events, news, and activities through timely,

accessible, and practical information is an important part of
active ageing, especially given the trend of information
overload in urbanised cities. Technology can be used to quickly
spread information, but it can also play a role in social
exclusion. Cities must provide seniors with accessible
information while keeping in mind the wide range of needs and
resources that older people have.
Problem Statement:

To design a reliable and Accessible Communication System in a

community which functions across language barriers, age

groups and family units.

Exclusion Criteria:

a design for communities with constant economic status

designed for normal or corrected to normal vision.

WHY this project? WHAT do I want to achieve? HOW to go about this project?

The communication in an An interactive interface with a

Primary Research would play a

apartment complex, is visual assets, to ensure vital role for tailoring a system

restricted to the people who inclusivity.To overcome the that works in the touchpoint

are technologically equipt or language barrier forms of (reality).

know the English.

translation could be used.

Already existing communication

Often times, just word of mouth The outcome shall also contain platforms will still be in use

does not always do justice to text for people proficient with while a few modifications shall

the event. reading English. be made

Design thinking Process
Double-Diamond

Discover Define Develop Deliver

Researching and brainstorming about the problems Building the hypothesis for the chosen problem Execution of the solution
around. setting a background

Understanding & empathising with the Coming up with a tangible outcome that
users prioritises user needs and goals

Tentative
days 5 days 3 days 3 days

Research Ideation concretise idea sketch prototype define test

Already existing modes of communication
Interview questions division
User phases

Problem Awareness Consideration Solution

Problem Awareness
When there’s an event in the apartment what’s your source of getting to know about it?
What problems do you think the current platforms made to gain information have ?

Consideration
Would you consider your source of information reliable?

Solution

What elements would be nice if an age inclusive platform was being made?
Would the visual information bank about the events (say previous year photographs and videos), change the
probability of people attending the event?

Primary Research User Interview transcript

When there’s an event in the Would you consider your source of What elements would be nice if an 03

apartment what’s your source of information reliable? age inclusive platform was being “It would help to catch the right
getting to know about it?
01
04
made? audience for right events, it
“Yes it works most of the time, unless i “Yes, it is a good way of 01
would help directing it to age
01
groups in itself rather than
miss the emails out sometimes“ communicating , as our “Yes. I would obviously love
“Mostly it is through our friends “ word of mouth”

02
apartment has a small crowd”
that, it would make navigating
02
“Whatsapp- very reliable through the upcoming events 04

“Fatest by Whatsapp groups, especially initiated by a member easy“ “As there is no ease of
05

Family & Friends

of the community.
“If they let us know only then 02
technology , so maybe it
But very slowly by Group mails My Gate App- isn’t reliable as it we get to know about it”
“Whatsapp is very effective for becomes a barrier, a
rarely noticeboard” is very cluttered” group communication,it’d be representative for another
03
nice but restricting as no. of block. Child is well versed but
03

“No, most of the times email groups, elders and children old people will be complicating”

“My parents tell me about the would miss out. Communication

event , or friends or people i notifications go unnoticed and
without tech could be looked 05

meet downstairs , mostly word whatsapp has alot of gossip and

into ” “yes, we would love to support
of mouth, initially the whatsapp unwanted information more
young children and watch them
group and email”
than event updates.”

perform. it would make us

happy”

04

“Sometimes it is in the group, or

posters outside the lifts”

05

“From my senior citizens group

or aunties walking around”

What problems do you think the Would the visual information bank 03

current platforms made to gain about the events (say previous “Yes, having a it would help. Kids and
information have ?
year photographs and videos) , grandparents would have a great
change the probability of people picture of how the event is going to
01
04
be. A way to remind a person of the
attending the event?

“Mostly it is through our friends, “Online is essentially restricting event could also be looked into”
so sometimes we miss out “ In terms of- no emotions going 01

02
thru text. No personal touch”
“Depends on situation.It can help
04

me understand the event better.“

“It gets lost in series of multiple “Yes, because someone new to the
messages of all types & 05
02

apartment would get to make sense

continuity or updates or changes “I only see all updates through “YES ! anything got to do with of the apartment- enthusiastic ,
gets lost resulting in husband’s whatsapp, it is not emotional connect , memories of enjoying”

communication getting lost ” directly”

past events would make it
03
looking forward to attend
“Parents tend to forget to tell events especially if its thru an 05

their kids about events, this event website for the “Yes, because i think I would also like
hinders with the flow of community” to go back and see some events’
information.
videos and pictures”

Event organizers don't keep

reminding residents often about
the upcoming events.”

User Interview insights

Exisiting communication systems are not Older people get looped out of the
accesible to all communication channels

Most of the updates are mostly done Having a bank of memories created during
through word of mouth the event might help with the emotional
connect to the event

Most notifications in the current platforms go People new to the apartment too become
unnoticed or are missed out aware of the events’ festivities

Some users do find the current system Whatsapp has limited number of people in a
reliable, and works fairly well group so not everybody can be connected in
a group
User Personas Empathy Mapping
SAYS
“ the current communication channel works for me”
“My wife only gets to know of the events when I tell her
about them”

FEELS
Self Sufficient ( is technologically equipt)
Current email communition system is reliable

THINKS
“ Adding an archive with previous years events would help me decide
if I want to go to the event better”
“People do tend to miss out on emails sometimes”

DOES
01
Attend most gatherings in the apartment
B.R Dodderi
Offers to be of little help wherever possible
Age: 87 years
Informs his wife , about events coming up
Profession: Retired- Medical

Charateristic: Tech Savvy, A perfectionist

Hobbies: Loves to play the Harmonium, Loves

Natya Sangeet
User Personas Empathy Mapping
SAYS
“ Whatsapp is the quickest mode of update for events”
“ Existing app is very cluttered and not user friendly”

FEELS
“Pictures from the previous year events can help with
making sure people get connected emotionally”
“Communication without complex tech could help”

THINKS
“The slowest mode of communication is email”

“Noticeboards are barely looked at, as they are mostly

cluttered “

DOES
02
Feel like adding an emotional connect to the events would increase the
Amit Mahesh
likelyhood of someone wanting to attend an event more

Age: 45 years
Attend most events if a family member is performing
Profession: Business- Co.Founder

Charateristic: Humble, Avid Learner

Hobbies: Enjoys watching cricket, loves stand up

comedy
Secondary Research insights

Terms like “seniors” and “senior citizens” carry a stigma, are ambiguous, and can be confused with other

meanings, such as the level in school.

Avoid associating certain behaviors or attitudes with age, and choose language that will reflect the diverse

identities, experiences, and interests that exist at all ages

Challenges faced by people older people

Ageism: A stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination based on age. As with any identity based prejudice, it works under
the assumption that it is possible to judge someone knowing one thing about them – in this case, their age. Not only is it
inaccurate, it’s damaging.

Physical limitations: Many older individuals may experience physical limitations that make it difficult to engage with
certain communication channels, such as using a computer or mobile device.

Cognitive decline: As individuals age, they may experience cognitive decline that affects their ability to process
information and understand complex communications.

Technological illiteracy: Many older individuals may not be familiar with technology and may struggle to use new

communication channels, such as email or social media.

Visual or auditory impairments: Some older individuals may experience visual or auditory impairments that make it

difficult to read or hear information.

Language barriers: Older individuals who speak a different language or who are non-native speakers may struggle

to understand information presented in a language they are not familiar with.

Social isolation: Older individuals may experience social isolation and may have limited opportunities to engage

with others and receive information about their community.

Inadequate communication design: Communication materials that are not designed with accessibility in mind, such

as using small font sizes or complex language, can be difficult for older individuals to understand.
Hypothesis

Providing multiple communication channels will increase accessibility and

understanding of information for all residents, regardless of age

-
Offering communications in multiple languages will improve the ability of

residents who speak different languages to understand and engage with

information

Clear and simple language in communications will improve the ability of older

residents to understand and engage with information

Hosting events and activities that cater to different age groups will increase

social interaction and communication among residents of different ages

Encouraging active participation in decision-making and community-building

activities will foster a culture of collaboration and communication among

residents of all ages.

 CONSTANTS
Factors leading to
The economic status

exclusion

After analysing majority families VARIABLES

in the apartment community

Age group

Language

Ease of use of

Technolog

Family units

Drawing specifics to my community alone

Ideation
 Vehicle Path

Sketches (WIP)

Basic Plan

Most Populated lesser populated

Populated areas
Prototype

01
02

Layer 1
Layer 2

This is the basic layout of the apartment for one This helps identify the venues at which different
to understand how to blocks are place events take place through the year.

The pinks depict the places of event. While the

blue is specific to children
 1= one child from the age 8 -18

2= one adult above the age of 60

03

Layer 3
04

The layer depicts how the population of the Layer 4

apartment has been over two consecutive The QR codes to the posters are put on this
evenings at 5 pm.
layer.

An average is taken as 5 pm is the time when

most people tend to come out of thier houses.

THE SOLUTION
These posters go up on interactive boards with audio interface that can help translate into common
languages catering to the environment it is placed in- An additional audio interface
The advertisements play either split screen or till the user is at a distance.
 THE DISPLAY
Representation when the event takes place

An visual corresponding Name of the Event

to what the event will
have.
Map of the apartment
with the location
placement

Basic information

QR CODE

direction of the location from the board

These posters go up on interactive boards with audio interface

that can help translate into common languages catering to the
enronment it is placed in- An additional audio interface
The QR on the
posters

The QR codes on the

posters further lead to a
website more like an archive
if youd like to call it .
Essentially , a collection of MOBILE SITE
photos, and videos previous
year celebration to increase
the likelyhood of someone
attending the event

DESKTOP SITE
 Solution User Flow
VISUALS Helps understand
at a glance
Time

TEXT Simple information Date

of the event Venue

Can comprehend QR CODE Helps understand the
basic English spirit of the event
Older Residents

The Digital Board

Newer Residents
Cannot comprehend VISUALS Helps understand
basic English at a glance

AUDIO Breaks language Makes it age

INTERFACE barriers inclusive- Hindi,
Tamil,
Kannada,Bengali
QR CODE Helps understand the
spirit of the event
Storyboarding

Reflection

Initially i felt pretty lost as to where the class was going but i think eventually we all got a hang
of it.

Dr.Dyutiman gave us just the right insights which helped in really getting the right results.

As far as the scope of the project goes, i think i got to learn alot about my apartment itself,
while doing it. It was one of those draft projects in my head that i could finally put out.And i am
grateful.

Although, i think as this was my first exploration i have not gone all in, I would love to revisit
this project maybe to see what potential it has, to make it a real solution to the problem.

Improvement areas identified

Initially I was being over ambitious so I ended up trying to make it completely age inclusive
(children too).

Then I realised children will eventually learn to read and write and will begin to understand but
focussing on the elderly in itself could be a big chunk of problem I can try solving

If I were to revisit this project I woul

Conduct user testing to get better insight
Take more insights from people , due to limited time the people involved were also a few so
that would help me widen my perspectiv
Since my target audience is now completely defined I can look into interviewing and testing
more people of the given age range.