Hi, I'm Codie
Mood Board
Design Sketch; First Draft
Updated Mood Board with Feedback
Design Sketch Version 2 - Updated with information from research and Community Partners
Prototype: Cardboard and Paper
Prototype: with Features
Please Note: The following user persona images and backgrounds were aided by the use of AI technology
User Personas
Empathy Map
User Journeys
Testing in Progress! Does it work?
Tester Feedback
1. How will users know about the other features?
a. Easy and straightforward to use, very clear and understandable.
b. Instructions and emergency button use are not clear.
c. Make the screen square, and more understandable.
2. How can users get immediate assonance?
a. Machine was easy to use, maps could be clearer, needs a way to gain immediacy assistances - hospital contact and support numbers on the bulletin board, specifics.
3. What time and how often do machines get refilled?
a. Machine should offer different clothing sizes, clearly labeled,
Final Prototype
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Storyboard; Intended Use
User Personas, in detail
Persona 1: Barret - The Elderly Veteran
Background:
- Age: 65 years old
- Background: A veteran who has fallen on hard times due to a combination of health issues, lack of family support, and difficulty navigating veteran benefits.
- Current Situation: Lives in a makeshift shelter in a city park. Struggles with mobility and chronic health conditions.
Needs:
- Warm clothing and blankets to cope with the cold nights.
- Basic first aid supplies for managing his chronic conditions.
- Information on accessing veteran-specific support services, including healthcare and housing.
Interaction with the Machine:
John would use his tap access card, provided by an outreach team that visits the park regularly, to obtain a blanket and some first aid supplies. He would also use the machine's interface to print out information on the nearest veteran support center, including directions and contact details. The machine's simple interface and voice guidance feature would be crucial for him, given his difficulty with technology and impaired vision.
Persona 2: Elliot - Living with Schizophrenia
Background:
- Age: 34 years old
- Background: Elliot has been living with schizophrenia for over a decade. The complexity of managing his condition, alongside societal stigma, has made steady employment and housing stability challenging.
- Current Situation: Elliot moves between temporary shelters, sometimes spending nights outdoors when he feels overwhelmed by crowded spaces. He has sporadic contact with mental health services due to mistrust and past negative experiences.
Needs:
- Access to medication and medical supplies to manage his schizophrenia and any associated conditions.
- Nutritious food options that can be easily prepared and are compatible with his medication regimen.
- Information on mental health support services that are accessible and schizophrenia-friendly, including crisis intervention teams and peer support groups.
Interaction with the Machine:
Elliot would use his tap access card primarily to obtain his medication, which is crucial for managing his condition. Given his struggles with complex interactions, the machine would need to have a straightforward, intuitive interface, potentially with voice guidance or a simple touchscreen with large icons. Elliot might also benefit from an emergency button or feature on the machine that could directly connect him with a local mental health crisis team or hotline.
For food, he would select options that are easy to prepare and don't require kitchen facilities, such as ready-to-eat meals or snacks that meet his dietary needs. Due to his condition, Elliot might experience paranoia or delusions, making him hesitant to interact with the machine in crowded areas. Therefore, placing the machine in a discreet, quiet location would be important.
Additionally, Elliot would access a directory of mental health services tailored for individuals with severe mental illnesses. This directory could include information on how to reach out to peer support groups, where to find affordable counseling, and how to navigate mental health crises. The machine could offer a way to print this information discreetly or view it in a privacy-focused manner on the screen.
Persona 3: Jamie - LGBTQ+ Youth Facing Homelessness
Background:
- Age: 19 years old
- Background: Jamie is a transgender individual who recently came out to their family and, as a result, faced rejection and was forced to leave their home. With limited support networks and facing discrimination, Jamie struggles to find safe housing and employment.
- Current Situation: Jamie alternates between staying with friends and spending nights in public spaces or LGBTQ+ friendly shelters when available. They are wary of traditional shelters due to past experiences of discrimination and are in urgent need of supportive services tailored to their needs.
Needs:
- Access to transgender-friendly healthcare services, including mental health support and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which are critical for their well-being.
- Information on shelters and housing options that are safe and accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, to avoid discrimination and violence.
- Resources for legal support to understand their rights and protections under the law, especially concerning discrimination based on gender identity.
Interaction with the Machine:
Jamie would use the tap access card to discreetly access healthcare information specifically tailored to transgender individuals, including local clinics that provide HRT and mental health support with respect for their gender identity. The machine's interface would need to be intuitive and reassuring, possibly offering a step-by-step guide or direct contact options for these services.
They would also seek information on LGBTQ+ friendly shelters and housing programs, prioritizing those known for their inclusivity and safety for transgender youth. An interactive map or a list of contact details for these shelters, along with user reviews or endorsements from LGBTQ+ organizations, would be particularly useful.
For legal support, Jamie would look for resources that explain their rights as a transgender person facing homelessness, including how to report discrimination and access legal aid. The machine could provide brochures or links to reputable websites offering free legal advice and support services dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Persona 4: Maria - The Single Mother
Background:
- Age: 29 years old
- Background: Left an abusive relationship and is currently without a stable home for herself and her 5-year-old daughter.
- Current Situation: Stays in various shelters and sometimes spends nights in public spaces when shelters are full.
Needs:
- Nutritious snacks and baby care products for her daughter.
- Warm clothing for both herself and her child.
- Information on shelters that accept mothers with children and services for domestic abuse survivors.
Interaction with the Machine:
Maria would use her tap access card to get nutritious snacks that are child-friendly, along with diapers and a small toy to comfort her daughter. She would navigate the machine's menu to find a list of nearby shelters that are safe for women and children, as well as contact information for domestic violence support services. A feature that allows her to send this information to her phone or print it would be beneficial.
Persona 5: Grace - The Elderly Widow
Background:
- Age: 72 years old
- Background: After the passing of her spouse, Grace struggled to keep up with the cost of living on a fixed income. Eventually, she lost her home due to unpaid bills and taxes.
- Current Situation: Grace spends her days in community centers and nights at various shelters. She has limited mobility and struggles with the digital divide, finding it hard to access online resources.
Needs:
- Easy-to-consume, nutritious food that accommodates her dietary restrictions.
- Warm clothing and a blanket that are lightweight yet effective against the cold.
- Information on senior services, including housing, healthcare, and social activities to combat loneliness.
Interaction with the Machine:
Grace would use her tap access card to obtain meals that are suitable for her dietary needs, such as low-sodium canned soups or diabetic-friendly snacks. She would also get a lightweight yet warm blanket and a jacket. Grace might find it challenging to interact with a digital interface, so the machine would need to have an easy-to-use design, possibly with voice assistance. She would print out information on senior support services, including how to apply for subsidized housing and where to find social activities tailored for seniors.
Persona 6: Alex - The Young Adult
Background:
- Age: 22 years old
- Background: Recently homeless due to job loss and eviction. Struggling with the new reality of homelessness and feeling very isolated.
- Current Situation: Moves between shelters and occasionally sleeps in public areas. Has a smartphone but limited access to charging.
Needs:
- Access to job listings and resources for resume building and job interviews.
- Basic hygiene products and a place to shower.
- A way to charge their phone and access the internet to reach out to potential employers and support networks.
Interaction with the Machine:
Alex would use the tap access card to obtain a hygiene kit and information on local employment resources and public facilities where they could shower and prepare for job interviews. The machine would also offer a charging station for homeless individuals to charge their devices, allowing Alex to maintain communication with potential employers and access online resources. An interactive map showing locations for job centers, public libraries, and free Wi-Fi spots would be immensely
helpful.
Mind Map
Importance / Difficulty Matrix
What's On You Radar?
Design Challenge: Round 1
What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
There is a significant gap between healthcare and accessibility for homeless individuals with mental illness. Despite the pressing need for mental health services among the homeless population, there exists systemic barriers preventing effective connections between healthcare resources and this vulnerable group.
Take a stab at framing this challenge as a question
How might be break systemic barriers and establish a stronger connection between healthcare resources and the homeless population?
Now state the key outcome you’re trying to achieve:
A way to work around the systemic barriers and create more meaningful connections between healthcare resources and rough sleepers
Write down important aspects of the context or constraints that you need to consider
Rough sleepers may resist. Mistrust between rough sleepers and health care professionals. Technology not available. Community backlash against the installation. Public opinion. Infighting among rough sleepers for cards. Rough sleepers will not go to shelters and just collect cards from the street teams. Rebellion / violence against street team members.
What are some possible solutions to your design question?
Vending machines filled with essentials needed to survive on the street that also enocure rough sleepers to seek shelters.
Design Challenge: Round 2
What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
Ensuring that homeless individuals struggling with mental illness have a means to access to health services while taking into account the socioeconomic factors contributing to homelessness.
Take a stab at framing this challenge as a question
How might we ensure access to health services that addresses the unique needs of homeless individuals struggling with mental illness, while considering systemic barriers contributing to homelessness?
Now state the key outcome you’re trying to achieve:
The key outcome would be to establish a system that effectively addresses the specific needs of homeless individuals with mental illness while ensuring access to mental health and other health services while considering and mitigating systemic barriers to. healthcare.
Write down important aspects of the context or constraints that you need to consider
Limited Resources, Stigma and Discrimination, Fragmented Systems, Legal and Ethical Challenges, Access Barriers, Data Privacy Concerns
What are some possible solutions to your design question?
Foster better collaboration between healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations to create a cohesive approach to getting the homeless to the mental and other health care they need.
Design Challenge: Round 3
What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
Those living with severemental illness and homelessness must have the medical, psychological, andsocial support they need. These individuals often lack the capabilities toretain employment and lack income. They also exhibit delusional thinking andemotional outbursts which lead to being brushed off, ignored, or viewed asdangerous by society. The needs of people experiencing homelessness with mentalillnesses “are similar to those without mental illnesses: physical safety,education, transportation, affordable housing, and affordable medical/dentaltreatment” (Mental Health, 2023). However, getting treatment whenstruggling with homelessness in combination with mental illness adds additionalbarriers to accessing care.
Take a stab at framing this challenge as a question
How mightwe address the additional barriers to accessing care for those experiencinghomelessness and mental illness, especially when their needs align with thosewithout mental illnesses?
Now state the key outcome you’re trying to achieve:
The key outcome is to ensure that individuals facing homelessness and mental health issues have a lifeline to support, allowing them to access necessary resources and improve their overall well-being.
Write down important aspects of the context or constraints that you need to consider
Transportation / Accessibility, Trust between health providers and homeless individuals, Resistance to change
What are some possible solutions to your design question?
Introduce mobile mental health clinics to reach individuals where they are, especially those experiencing homelessness. This can help overcome barriers related to transportation and increase access to necessary care.
