Des100 Assignment Three

"Gg box"

Problem

- Social connectedness between grandparents (Silent Generation) and grandchildren (Generation Z) is limited due to different communication tools in which they feel comfortable and confident when using.

- The silent generation values traditions as well as being not as technologically adept as the younger generations such as Gen Z (Idea associates, 2020), as a result, a communication barrier is formed and the extent of social connectedness is minimised.

Solution

- The ‘GG Box” is a cloud photo/ text printer with the option to accept or delete from the receiving end.

- The Grandparent is able to stay socially connected and up-to-date on the grandchild’s life

DISCOVER

- We decided to focus on the social connectedness between the Silent Generation and Generation Z

- Through research, we discovered that social connectedness can be in two forms, face to face interaction vs online interaction. We came to realise that staying socially connected to our grandparents online was challenging due to different communication tools and habits. We had the opportunity to create a design that would help connect the grandparent and grandchild through an easy, effective and efficient way.

- We interviewed Faith’s grandma as she is a representative user for the silent generation. This step was crucial in helping us develop ideas and ways in which social connectedness was present in her life

DEFINE

> Empathy mapping for our representative user in order to get a better understanding of what Mary does, sees, says, does, hears, think and feels.

> After discussion and evaluation of different designs to promote social connectedness, we liked the idea of an Alexa like device (Amazon, 2020), virtual classes as well as having voice control.

> As a result, we were able to combine these ideas together to create a ‘Gg box”. The ‘Gg Box’ is a cloud photo/ text printer.

User journey mapping

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Story boarding

Rapid protyping - sketching

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Paper prototype

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> As a result, we collaboratively agreed on a rectangle box-like shape as it wouldn’t take up too much space but also big enough so that the grandparent is able to easily see it from a distance. We kept in mind that the Silent generation appreciated the simplicities in life and wanted to create a design that is simple and straight forward.

> We decided to create a paper prototype to test the shape, size, functionality, look feel and the usability of the GG box

Visualisation prototype

Specification prototype

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FUNCTION

- The message is sent from the grandchild by using the G&g phone app. The app itself allows users to type a message and/or take a photo (in the moment) or select an existing photo from the phone’s photo gallery.

- The message is sent through a similar way in which documents were sent through fax machines (technology that the Silent Generation are familiar with).

-There is a receiver component on the G&g box which detects any incoming messages. If the grandparent chooses to print the message, this is done through the small printer component inside the G&g box (Instax printer).

- When the message is received and printed, the grandchild will get a notification on the G&g box phone application.

REFLECTION

- Overall, I believe that as a team we have successfully designed a product in which will further enhance the social connectedness between the Silent Generation and Generation Z. The 'Gg box will allow the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren to bloom through constant updates on each other lives.

- We have designed so that the 'Gg box' is sympathetic and easy to use for both the grandparent and grandchild. In particular, we have adopted the same method in which a fax machine functions which allows the grandparent to feel confident when using. Other features such as an automated voice for an incoming message and colour corresponding light to grandchild also help to further enhance the design. The grandchild also feels confident when sending an image or text over on the app as they know how to use a smartphone, unlike the grandparents.

-If I was to design the product again, an improvement I would implement would be having a feature physical feature on the box indicating who the message is coming from. The automated voice control may be a problem for the elderly who have sufficient hearing or if they just simply just didn't hear the 'Gg box'.