O.C.Transpo User Experience Enhancement Project

Grading

Effectiveness (40%)

To what degree do your designs solve the problems posed? As discussed in class, we want to reach as many types of riders as possible. I realize that some solutions cannot accomodate some of the riders. We'll take this into account. The point is to find a solution which is as useful as possible.

Practicality (20%)

Is the solution usable? Can it be produced with today’s production methods? The most elegant solution is one that is clear to the user and simple to implement.

Innovation (20%)

How new and creative is the solution? Truly innovative solutions will introduce a new way of perceiving a process.

Design Aesthetics (20%)

Are the designs aesthetically pleasing and functional from a graphic point of view?

The Process

You will take the necessary photos of the transit system. You will mock up your solutions in Photoshop. You will write a rationale for your solutions. How do they solve the problems posed above? No electronics are allowed in your solutions. Everything needs to be printed, etched, carved etc… There can be no sharing of photographs. You are all competing for the most innovative solutions for O.C. Transpo.

Types of Riders:

Daily User

This rider uses the transit system almost daily. She travels back and forth to school or to work. What are the challenges she faces during her commute? What efficiencies can be gained to improve her commute? How does she obtain her information about her route? What would happen if she had to take an alternate route?

Visitor

Imagine a visitor from another country. He cannot speak English. He does not feel comfortable with the currency. He is not at all familiar with the city’s layout. He needs to get around the city using public transit. How can you help this rider use the transit system? How can you increase the confidence level and lower anxiety?

Disabled

The transit system needs to accommodate people with all types of physical disabilities. How does your proposed system help them make the most of their bus ride? How would a visually impaired person navigate a station? Do you indicators for exiting the bus work for a hearing impaired person?

Green

We are all concerned with the environment. The green rider would walk farther or cycle to their stop or station to avoid polluting. If the rider uses their bicycle, what do they do with it upon arrival? We need to provide clear indicators to help them out. This rider will need to know which routes accepts bicycles. They need to have a clear indication of what to do with the bicycle when they get on the bus.

The Problem

Before we can solve the various problems we encounter on the transit system, we need to identify them. During class, we will take a walk through the process of taking the bus. We'll do this in class.

Your Improvements

You need to clearly depict how you are going to improve each problem. The solution will be based on a photo of the problem.

As an example, if you think bus stops are not useful enough, you need to show me an old stop and tell me why it does not work.

This is a current bus stop flag. You should point out what doesn't work on this sign relative to the four types of users listed above.

On the left of the page is a new stop. It was designed by Michael Cumming, a third year student who graduated in 2009. You can see a marked improvement in legibility, brightness. This stop would be much easier to identify from a distance.