An interactive map service that, with just one click, shows the nearest shelter. Designed to meet users' needs wherever they are, it enhances safety awareness and guides users in preparing for a crisis.
UI/UX Designer
Beredd
5 months, January - June 2024
Figma, Invision, Illustrator, After Effect, Premiere Pro
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and Sweden's membership in NATO, the security level in Sweden has heightened. Despite the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)'s efforts to inform and prepare citizens for potential crises and emergencies through the booklet "In case of crisis or war," statistics reveal a significant gap in knowledge among the Swedish population regarding preparedness and response measures.
Despite the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)'s efforts to inform and prepare Swedish citizens, there is still limited knowledge on how to handle a crisis. A majority of the population is unaware of where to find the nearest shelter, hasn't prepared an emergency kit, nor doesn't know what items should be included in a crisis box. Surveys reveal a lack of awareness regarding important messages sent through the Swedish warning systems (VMA).
Enhance knowledge and accessibility for Swedish citizens by making critical information more accessible and engaging. The goal is to ensure that citizens are well-prepared in the event of a crisis or war, can quickly locate the nearest shelter, and have a clear understanding of the Swedish warning system.
Ultimately, our aim is to make a difference for Swedish citizens and save lives during a crisis.
Based on the research and analysis of current media, it has become clear that the age group 18-34 has less knowledge about crisis and preparedness. Additionally, the demand and interest in seeking information about nearby shelters have increased. We found that there is limited information on where a person can search for and find shelters, as well as a lack of knowledge on how to act in crisis situations.
We aimed to assess the overall knowledge and preparedness of potential users. In our initial round of surveys, research, and focus groups, we discovered that most participants have not prepared an emergency kit, and more than half are unaware of where to find the nearest shelter.
Through contextual inquiry, we observed and interviewed participants in their natural environments while they completed given tasks. This method allowed us to understand the users' behaviors, processes, goals, and pain points related to preparedness and crisis situations.
The phases of the contextual inquiry included:
We conducted semi-structured interviews with each participant to delve deeper into their thoughts, opinions, and experiences regarding the tasks. Participants were encouraged to share their feelings about the current crisis situation and discuss what would motivate them to prepare more effectively for an emergency.
After speaking with participants and users, were we able to create and identify two personas that represent the target group, and were used as a guidance during the design process. Karin and Nils are two Swedish citizens with different characters and lifestyles. Karin represents a woman in her early 60s who sees her home as a safe place, while Nils is a typical student in his mid-20s who loves to socialize and doesn't worry much about an upcoming crisis.
Creating a mobile app that both informs and supports users in preparation for and during emergencies requires careful planning and extensive user testing. We based the project on Maslow's hierarchy of needs and incorporated social computing to promote collaboration, ensuring that loved ones can share their location and confirm each other’s safety.
Utilizing social computing to engage and encourage collaborative work, we designed a digital list of emergency items that can be shared with family and friends.
The first prototypes that we created, focused on how each side of the mobile application was perceived by users, prioritizing the users' flow and understanding of the page's content. Based on the feedback from these usability tests (A/B- and Usability testing), design elements and concepts were iterated to enhance clarity and user engagement.
The prototypes were tested with real users to gather insights on usability and navigation. Additionally, adjustments were made to visual hierarchy, button placements, and interaction patterns to ensure a more clear user experience. The iterative process has not only improved the overall mobile design but also strengthened the importance of user-centered design in creating effective digital solutions.
We always strive to keep our designs simple, especially during emergencies when users may experience tunnel vision. For the feature that navigates users to the nearest shelter in case of an emergency, we prioritized a clear and familiar interface—similar to Google Maps.
We chose red as the primary color because it signifies urgency, grabs attention, and ensures critical information stands out, facilitating quick and efficient navigation to safety.
From previous research and survey feedback, we identified the importance of designing tools to support collaborative and social computing. We included features that allow users to gather and prepare an emergency kit together. This involves inviting family members, friends, or neighbors to collaborate on the preparation process by purchasing items for the emergency kit. Not only will this encourage users to be better prepared, but it can also facilitate crucial collaboration during an emergency.
Additionally, the mobile app includes a feature that sends a message to selected family members once the user arrives at a shelter during a crisis.
The onboarding process introduces new users to the app’s core features and benefits, highlighting its practical uses and importance. By showcasing real-world scenarios, it educates users on how the app can meet their needs and improve their daily lives, ensuring a smooth and engaging start.
With help from research, studies, interviews, and user testing, we created a mobile app that’s designed to help with prepping and handling upcoming crises
Try out the final prototype here.
