Timeline
07/2020 - 08/2020 (6 weeks)
Team
Daisy Lu, Anissa Rashid, Ryan Steffens, Charlie Xiao
My Role
Interviews, 2*2 Matrix, Ideation, UI Design, User Testings, Persona, Storyboard
The Ask
This is an envisioning project about privacy and security in smart cities. There is a disconnect between user perceptions and expectations, their understanding of smart city systems and their privacy and security, and the intentions and goals of key stakeholders, such as city government and technology firms. The initial HMW statement: how might we reconcile differing perceptions of smart city security and privacy among residents, government, and other stakeholders?
Part I. Research & Analysis
Interviews
In order to narrow down the key problem space of smart cities, we interviewed 5 experts in cybersecurity, sustainability, and blockchain, as well as 3 stakeholders, and 5 users. We recorded key quotes to see what aspects are they most interested in or concerned about in the setting of a smart city.
We then listed 6 potential areas that we could focus on 1) GPS tracking, 2) transportation systems, 3) environmental sensors, 4) blockchain applications, 5) cryptocurrency, 6) payment systems.
Analysis with 2x2 Matrix
From our interviews and research, we compiled a list of potential features of a smart city. We assessed their feasibility and how risky these are in terms of security and privacy using a 2x2 matrix.
Key Insights
- Transparency: Both end-users and experts have emphasized the importance for products and services to be transparent in how they collect and what they do with user data.
- Trust: Products and services need to earn trust through being transparent and communicating the costs and benefits of using a product from both a security and privacy perspective.
- Convenience: Smart cities are trying to optimize efficiency and improve the quality of life for their residents. In order to design an efficient service, transparency and trust need to be at the center.
Part II. Ideation
After individual brainstorming, we used the clustering method to group our ideas for a final solution
After voting, we selected our final concept: Smart Wallet
Part III. Functional Prototyping & Wireframing
Determining the shape of the smart wallet
Laser-cut acrylic prototype
Wireframe - sketch
Interface concept
We then conducted user testings with 4 people and summarized key insights. We incorporated feedback into our designs and made necessary changes.
Our Secure Technology - personal info is never revealed, and transactions remain only between you and your network. We never store or have access to your card numbers or credentials.
Final Designs
Part IV. Communicate & Experiential Prototype
We illustrated persona and storyboard to help create an envisionment video.
Persona
Storyboard
Next Step & Key Questions
- Making a website: If we had more time, we would have made a website for users to use to log in and find more information.
- More user testing: With more time, we also would have been able to do more user testing with our final design and make any needed changes from there.
- Looking forward: Knowing what we do know now about cybersecurity and smart cities, how will we take this knowledge into the technology space to ensure that companies are being ethical and responsible with user data?
Reflection
This is the last design course I took at Berkeley as an undergrad. As a chemical engineering student trying to go into design, I had to explore different areas because I didn’t know what I would be interested in. Instead of a career as a design engineer or an industrial designer, I became more interested in HCI, UX/UI, and human-centered design. I also learned a lot of skills, which I can use from the class going forward. I become better at giving presentations, more knowledgeable with design methods, gained more experience in completing challenging design projects as a team, and refined my skills in Figma.
This was my first time doing competitive analysis, a 2*2 matrix, developing HMW statements, and learning about laser cut/water jet; while also practicing more with interviewing, ideation, creating a persona, storyboards, wireframe, prototype, and user testing, which I had done in my past design projects. Moreover, I learned a lot about cybersecurity in design. Achieving a balance point between smartness and data privacy/security is important for designers. It is our responsibility to be ethical with user data, to consider data vulnerability, and to incorporate the cybersecurity aspect into designs.
