Speculative Design
Luminocare: Enhancing aid & connectivity in displaced shelters
A speculative design project addressing basic living needs and aid for displaced civilians in shelters affected by natural or man-made disasters, while fostering trust within the community.
Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator
Reduced
Stress Relief
Builds Trust
amongst the community
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
01
What is happening around the world?
By the end of 2023, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence, and human rights violations.
Millions of civilians worldwide are displaced by natural or man-made disasters, facing shortages of essentials like food, water, and power due to disrupted supply chains. This leads to heightened stress, trauma, and health risks, with the displaced population likely surpassing 120 million today
Source
Why is this important?
The number of displaced people has increased every year for 12 years.
What are the current living conditions?
20.3 % Prevalence of Post Traumatic
Stress Symptoms
>50% of Shelters do not have adequate power supply
Expert Interview
Expert insights to validate assumptions & understand living conditions to come up with the most effective solutions
We interviewed Marc Kaeraa, a Humanitarian Portfolio Manager at UNICEF, to gain detailed insights into the living conditions, safety measures, and aid support in IDP shelters. Our goal was to understand the challenges faced in delivering essential resources and support to these vulnerable communities
What were our key takeaways
Current Conditions
No early warning system in place in any of the shelters
Lack of trust in the community due to the difficult scenarios faced by the civilians
Usability Challenges
Make sure that the product/service can be used easily by the civilians
DEFINE
02
How might we
IDEATION
03
User Journey Mapping
Mapped the daily routine of displaced civilians to identify key opportunity areas
We mapped the current user journey through a waveline and the ideal user experience which we want for the internally displaced civilians, and discovered the key opportunity areas where we can intervene to elevate the current user experience towards the ideal user experience
Opportunity areas:
Fostering trust within the community to encourage mutual support
High levels of stress, trauma, and constant fear for their family's safety have led to a breakdown of mutual trust within the community.
Lack of an emergency alert
and support system
Currently, there is no emergency reporting system in place to alert the shelter community about impending disasters.
Disruption of daily activities due to supply chain breakdowns and power outages
Constant power outages have made nighttime movement difficult, while supply chain disruptions have significantly hindered essential daily activities needed for sustenance.
Crazy 8's Ideation
We explored various solutions using the Crazy 8's methodology
A product that can detect the emotional state of a particular shelter and alert the community in need
Using Solar power or other sustainable source of energy to power the lighting systems etc.
Have a warning and alert system set up for civilians for personal as well as communal emergencies.
A paired device amongst the members of the family to locate each other
Introduce a homely feeling around the shelter using an interconnected lighting system
ANALYZE
04
Finding the MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
We utilized red routes to identify essential features for developing a MVP that addresses the key pain points of displaced civilians.
Warning for any incoming disaster
Distress signal on an individual level
Community trust & support
Illumination for visibility
PROTOTYPING
05
Low-Fidelity Sketches
Designing a physical product that serves as both an illumination device and a warning & support tool
We brainstormed various product designs through rough sketches, prioritizing ease of use, ergonomics, and portability. We also explored physical interactions and feedback mechanisms, incorporating a simple lighting system to serve as both a warning and support tool
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
A connected mobile app for humanitarian organizations to provide faster aid by tracking the signal from the physical device
To complete the system, we integrated the physical product with a mobile application for humanitarian organizations. The app's primary function is to receive warning signals from the device and guide teams to the signal's location.
SOLUTION
06
Luminocare: A Safety and Illumination Solution for Displaced Civilians
Luminocare is a product-service solution designed for displaced civilians in humanitarian shelters. It serves as both an illumination and alert device, connecting the community with shelter management during emergencies. By providing immediate support, it fosters a sense of safety and helps alleviate stress within the community.
Physical Device for Civilians
Humanitarian App for Shelter Management
Mapping the Design System
We mapped out the product service ecology to represent the user experience of a displaced individual living in humanitarian shelters, and how the physical device is connected to the management app which acts as a digital twin.
Detailed Solution
The key features of the Luminocare physical device
Dynamic LED Illumination System
Basic Illumination
LuminoCare provides a steady white light for everyday use, especially in low-light conditions. This feature helps users navigate and find objects in the dark.
Help Seeking
The device emits a slow, pulsating yellow light when a user needs assistance. This rhythmic signal conveys urgency without causing panic, making it easily recognizable as a call for help.
Navigation
The device switches to a green light to help rescuers locate those in need. Its intensity, size and flashing frequency adjust based on proximity, aiding quick and efficient location
Emergency Warning
In critical situations, the device emits a flashing red light and strong vibrations to alert the user and nearby individuals of immediate danger. Grabs quick attention.
GPS + Cellular Network
LuminoCare integrates GPS and cellular technology for real-time location tracking and communication. It sends distress signals with precise location data to nearby help centers or emergency responders and keeps users connected with family and support networks, even in remote areas.
Solar Powered
Energy-efficient LEDs to maximize battery life. Its solar panel fully charges the device in 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, allowing up to 48 hours of operation. This makes it reliable and sustainable in areas with limited power access, ensuring dependable communication and safety.
Haptic Feedback
LuminoCare uses haptic feedback to discreetly alert users through vibrations, ensuring effective communication in noisy environments where auditory or visual alerts might be missed.
Ergonomics
LuminoCare is simple and easy to handle, with no buttons or screens. Lightweight and small, it features a finger hole for a secure grip or can be hung on a bag or clothing. Functions are activated by tapping the illumination area, ensuring intuitive use for all ages and abilities.
Humanitarian Application for Shelter Management
This management and tracking application for the shelter management. It gets real time data from any Luminocare device & informs the staff about the status of the civilians who are in the need of any assistance, and can track their location, enabling them to provide assistance as soon as possible.
DESIGN DECISIONS
07
Physical Device
Final design decisions prioritized ease of use, simplicity, and ergonomic handling
While exploring designs for the physical device, we focused on ergonomics, ensuring it was easy to carry and simple to use for anyone, regardless of age or education. The functionality had to be intuitive, allowing seamless use even in high-stress situations. We also kept production costs low ensure accessibility and wide distribution.
Aesthetic & Minimal design for ease of use & portability
Constrained features for less complex usage and increase in efficiency
Warning System
Action: Haptic Feedback & Rapid Red Blinking
In emergencies, the device uses rapid light flashes and haptic feedback to quickly alert and ensure safety
Basic Illumination
Action: Tap
A simple tap gesture toggles the device’s illumination function on and off
Need Help
Action: Light Shaking
In case of help, lightly shaking the device signals for help, triggering a steady yellow pulse and notifying nearby devices.
Offer Help
Action: Long Hold
A simple long press on the device initiates navigation, automatically guiding civilians toward an alert triggered by any nearby device
FUTURE VISION
08
Next Steps
Physical Prototyping
3D printing to validate ergonomics
Usability testing to validate the technical feasability and other functionality
Partnerships
We would like to reach out to various organizations around the globe that provide assistance in disaster response, healthcare, and disaster preparedness.
Red Cross
UNESCO
International Rescue Committee
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
LEARNINGS & REFLECTIONS
09
Luminocare empowers humanitarian organizations to deliver aid more effectively, providing essential light and support to displaced civilians
It has reduced the response time for aid and support for internally displaced civilians.
Reduced fatalities
Stress Relief to the Displaced Individuals
Building trust & communication amongst communities
My Learnings
This project helped me to gain experience in terms of working with users who are difficult to talk to or are going through some mental stress. With the strict timelines in place, I learned a lot in terms of what steps and insights to prioritize using Googles design sprint as a framework to come up with a user friendly solution.
