In February 2018, the Institute without Boundaries hosted an international charrette entitled 'Unexpected Connections'. During this five day event, I led a team of 14 participants to design an interactive AI-driven networking tool experienced through a series of smart pop-ups along the Kitchener rail line. The charrette exposed participants to the rapid ideation, concept development and solutioning tools necessary to design experiences. These tools included incorporating empathy into design thinking processes and how ability-aware design can lead to better experiences for all.
Client: Institute without Boundaries
Services: design research | concept development | design sprint facilitation
Participants took part in the international charrette to learn about the IwB design sprint methodology and how it can be used to build user-centered experiences.
CHALLENGE
The design challenge was to connect key assets - both physical and digital - within the AI cluster of the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor.
SITE VISITS
The week started with tours of Union Station and MaRS Discovery District. The main insight gleaned from the site visits is that many industries are currently experiencing change because of AI and advanced machine-learning, but there is a great deal of public distrust of this technology. Part of the challenge therein was to create a concept to reduce this distrust.
'HOW MIGHT WE' QUESTION
After a day of brainstorming and rapid ideation the group came up with the following question: How might we integrate AI tools to drive the economic cluster forward by acquainting people with its capabilities?
RESEARCH & CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
I supported the participants through several design thinking methodology tools, such as personas, empathy maps, storyboarding and customer journey maps.
Outcome
Cotto is an interactive AI-driven networking tool in the form of a series of smart pop-ups located in GO train stations along the Kitchener rail line. This design intervention is intended to shape the future of networking opportunities while maximizing the utility of time spent commuting. The physical spaces are designed to facilitate opportunities for commuters to network.
Physical Space
There are three distinct parts of the physical design. The first is a modular compartment comprised of meeting pods in Union Station. The second physical space are the shelters located along the Kitchener rail line. These spaces are intended to be used for networking opportunities while passengers are waiting for the train. The final physical space is within the train car. One train will be set up with modular meeting spaces for commuters to use for networking purposes.
Virtual Space
The virtual space for this project includes the AI-driven application. This application is designed to be linked to the Presto transit card database for the purposes of retrieving user information. The app will source users on LinkedIn and make virtual connections.
The application will also link possible ‘People You May Know’ based on user's ridership patterns. This will enable possible networking connections within the physical spaces of the design solution. Participants will indicate their availability for networking opportunities within the application interface.