Blue
Role— Lead Researcher and Designer
Overview
Civic unrest has risen 27% globally since 2021. Moreover, 30% of protest movements between 2011 and 2018 were classified as riots. Human rights are seldom obtained without a riot and our current protesting infrastructure does not protect the leaders and activists trying to create a more just world despite the obvious traceback of our modern day liberties and rights to past protests.
Protests are a powerful tool to create a more just and equitable society. The goal of this project is to create a digital solution that increase the number of protesters using their voice by creating a better infrastructure for safety.
At least 115 protesters across America were shot with crowd-control weapons in the neck or head from May 26 to July 27, 2020
Protest surveillance today involves the acquisition, processing, analysis, retention and storage of information about people engaging in protest just for participating in protests
Nearly 900 people were unlawfully contained at the Prisoner Processing Centre in Toronto’s east end during G20 weekend. Many rules were not followed by police officers including Arrest cards not filled out
How might we ensure physical safety of protestors during civic unrest to increase comfort and participation?
Process
The discovery phase deepened the understanding of the topic, enabling more informed decisions on research methodologies. Interviews with protesters highlighted their pain points and areas for improvement. Additionally, user testing provided valuable insights that guided enhancements to ensure the user experience effectively meets their needs.
Interview themes
Journey map
Key insights
While talking to range of protestors (active, occasional, opportunistic), there was an overwhelming concern for personal safety
Personal safety was the primary concern for protesters, followed closely by the need for uninterrupted communication and updates. Participants also emphasized the importance of legal support, which would empower them to independently address any altercations with authorities.
Key features
Discovery
Help activists identify protests and actions they are interested in
Prep
Enable activists to appropriately prep for a protest by providing a checklist for critical actions like setting emergency contacts and giving them live updates once the protestor arrives for the protest.
File a report
Activists can submit reports to event organizers to keep fellow protesters informed and ensure their safety
