DX BOUNDLESS CHALLENGE

Summary

I recently entered the Boundless design competition hosted by the Design Exchange with three other classmates. Our concept - The Ontario Parks Navigator - won the 3rd overall spot among thousands of other applicants in Ontario.  The competition was to produce a design that would further accessible travel within the province. Our design was for a mobile application that would cater to those requiring accessible services to navigate around Ontario’s Provincial Parks, regardless of level of experience and accessibility requirements. Our project would also go on to win 1st in a separate competition held by Arc’teryx sports apparel for sustainable tech development in Ontario.

Conceptual Work

Our application began as an idea for mobility, vision and hearing impaired users to quickly and effectively scout park paths and decide their optimal path, highlighting amenities and keeping track of their route in case of emergencies. The application took slope, path condition, wildlife reports as well as other factors such as accessible restrooms and camp areas into consideration. The application would be downloaded at the entrance to the parks and would contain a fully functioning stand alone map. After a quick initial quiz asking the user questions on their accessibility needs, it would recommend paths and routes based on the ability of the specific user. An example would be that 70% incline paths would be avoided by someone requiring an electric wheelchair, and poor condition paths would be not be highlighted at all. The map would be refreshable at QR scan points throughout the park, meaning that there is no issue if the user has no service within these areas. Audio feedback would be provided if specified and there would be a report obstruction option for live updating maps.

Project Management

This particular project required us to develop an end goal and cycle through various different groups of designers within our class, acting as facilitators and editors when necessary. We knew early on that we wanted to create a mobile application for Ontario parks, but weren’t sure of the makeup or functionality right away. We went through six phases of design, refining and improving with each pass until we produced a version that we were confident to submit for the competition. We learned that every designer works differently than the next and that a good project brief goes a long way.

What I used

 What I Learned

Over the course of this project, I came to realize just how difficult it is to find accessibility options in most areas around Ontario. There are only certain subway stops that accommodate accessible needs, parks have next to no accessible options and this was something that particularly bothered me since I had spent a lot of time in parks prior to this project. Testing blind, deaf, and motion impaired users with this application was a personal revelation as there are certain processes that they have to go through on a day to day basis that I wouldn’t have even considered prior to asking them. Accessibility will be a consideration in every design that I create going forward.