Project Overview

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Description/Context

SafeHOUSE is an app focused on keeping neighbourhood watch communities connected at all times. It aims to take the traditional aspect of a neighbourhood watch and digitize it to allow for a more convenient way to communicate with each other and law enforcement to allow fora safer community.

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Problem

The world is fully digital however neighbourhood watch communities, do not have a platform that they can use to stay connected and protect their neighbourhood as well. There is a need for a platform that allows users to create schedules & meetings, have in app messaging, and constant updates under one roof.

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The Goal

The goal is to create an app that for neighbourhood watch communities be better connected.

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The Solution

• In-app messaging
• A feed with updates posted by anyone in the neighbourhood
• Meeting reminders and walk scheduler
• Map of neighbourhood
• Video call capabilities

The Process

Seeing as this is one of the first full-fledged self-directed projects I worked on I wanted to keep the process simple by sticking to the basic format of Discover, Define, Ideate, Design, and Test. Although this format in a general sense works it's evident that this process isn't realistic. Things can always change with a project whether it be the overall solution, any iterations or even the research one has complied. So, with keeping that in mind I made sure to not keep to rigid with the process and let creativity come through.

Discovery

Product: Secure application for neighbourhoods

Audience: Small communities & neighbourhoods

Costs: Team plans below market

Industry: Mobile & web application

Goal: Increase efficiency and security

The purpose of the application is to provide convenient software for communities who want to communicate more efficiently while increasing safety through seamless collaboration.

Comparison of Functionality Within Competitors

I wanted to look at similar competitors and the features they may offer. This would give me better insight into what’s already on the landscape and whether the solution I am proposing is viable or not.

Based on my research, the 3 competitors laid out have all similar features however the main difference that I found was that Microsoft Teams has a steep learning curve and is meant for large organizations or those are are tech-savvy.  Chantry seems to be a lot easier to use and understand for those less tech savvy. Slack is universally known and used across various industries for its communication capabilities.

After drafting a user research plan, I set out to create a google for with questions important to research but also to go and visit some neighbours and directly talk to them to better understand concerns they may not have known they had. I received 30 responses from individuals between the ages of 20-55. The purpose of this was to understand the pain points of people with neighbourhood watch communities how safe they truly feel on a day-to-day basis.

Personas

User Journey

For the user journey I looked at what it looks like to go through the typical process of acquiring information and then sending it out to law enforcement. This helped me understand the users sentiments along this process and where my solution could make it easier for them.

Hypothesis

Hypothesis 1: If we add a chat and walkie- talkie function to the application, it will make it faster and more conveniently to communicate with neighbours.

Hypothesis 2: if we add a function which allows users to upload images or videos and submit those to law enforcement it will allow for a smoother transition in reducing crime.

Hypothesis 3: if we add a map where you can see the neighbours. This will allow everyone to know those who are out on the neighbourhood are safe.

Hypothesis 4: The “SOS” button on the map will create a notification to all member which help people be aware that a crime is committed or someone is in danger.

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Ideate

Wireframes

High-Fidelity

Sign in & Onboarding

Map

Home

Messages

Files

Meetings & Calendar

Test

After giving some of the survey participants a prototype to try out it was evident to that the most difficult aspect was the folders section of the app. This is where people tended to be confused and where it needed some clarification. based on this I know that I have to change the layout in such a way where the design needs no explanation.

Other points that were made:

• Users liked the colours
• Users wished there was a light mode
• Some users thought that the calendar and schedule should be better separated