Joining The Data

After we presented out three concepts to the clients, we took a step back from our ideas of a heads-up display helmet. The helmet idea was an exciting area to look at but perhaps not a realistic one for the client or the brief. We had to look at the users that use bikes in Dublin. Its a cultural thing that no one within the city wears a helmet, so to get them to wear a heads-up display helmet would be a challenge in itself. 

We did however get great feedback from our body storming session out on the streets of Dublin. This led our design thinking to look away from a helmet that gave live updates on air quality and more towards add ons to Dublin Bike. As a group of three we broke away and conceptualised three ideas we felt fitted the brief, our feedback from the client and the personas created in weeks previous. 

After we presented our three new ideas to the client, all slightly different than the other, we were able to pin point an area we thought best suited the the clients needs. The idea was brought about when we started to sketch out ideas of what a product would look like that showed the best air quality for Dublin Bike users. We began with an idea of the Dublin Bike having a simple indicator that reacts to live data shared, showing the bike user what the quality of air is like in the location they are in at any given time. As we went on, we started to see the project was turning into a service design. A service design that would be an add on to the already set up Dublin Bike service. The idea of an interactive map emerged when we came upon the Paris Metro interaction map. This simple map that allowed users to path out their journey by pressing one simple button let them see clearly the path they should take by highlighting the streets using LED's. The map had a large number of buttons with separate destinations, allowing the user to easily decide on their preferred location. 

This map really drove our design thinking, and gave us a drive to create a more interactive way for Dublin Bike users to find their way around Dublin City. 

To make this unit we needed a map. Size was something that we discussed thoroughly. We weren't sure if small and discreet would benefit what we were aiming for. Large scale, that draws attention to first time users and create a retro feel that intrigued all generations to want to participate in not only learning new routes around Dublin, but also the cleanest routes. This would educate users about air quality with out forcing anyone to learn facts and figures. The map was first drawn up in large scale on paper.

It was then brought into illustrator where the outlines were created for the laser cutter to cut out the buildings. We done this on plywood which we then build up the building with multiple cut outs to create a 3D form. 

The plans for this map unit is to be the same as the Paris Metro map, but with a slight difference. The map shows you the destination of the next Dublin Bike station to leave your bike off. The map unit gives the user the number of the station you wish to go to and the user enters the number into the bike. The bike then gives you direction options for fast route, or the clean route.