We were approached by the AARP's Office of Community Engagement (OCE) to refine an existing display cart for greater mobility within an event. These carts helped to increase brand awareness within events, provide flexibility, and mobility so AARP staff can appear at multiple spots within the event space. This project was a fun challenge; we were dealing with a physical experience and not a digital one. The Design Thinking Team reimagined an existing product (a cart) to suit the needs of the AARP state staff and volunteers.
Although the current cart was impactful, it was bulky in both its dimensions and weight, making it difficult to manage by AARP staff and volunteers. We discovered that we had to reframe our challenge too, "How might we create a display vehicle that is easier to manage and transport from the office to the event." Some critical problems the original cart posed was:
Before kicking off our design sprint, we immersed ourselves in the event experience.
After our initial phase of research and immersions, we facilitated a 4–day design sprint. During the design sprint, we brought in AARP volunteers, AARP state staff (from DC, MD, and VA), and consumers for focus groups and interviews.
Before handing the designs to a display manufacturer, we created an MSCW to highlight the key features of the new iteration of the cart. Based on the feedback from consumers, AARP state staff and volunteers, and guidance from the industrial designer, we settled on two concepts to pass off to the display manufacturer. The two ideas have the following "code names":
Password: AARP
The trade show display manufacturing company, Nomadic Display, has taken on the task of further developing and refining the cart. Having taken all our learnings and suggestions into consideration, they developed the most recent prototype. Though still a prototype, this current version of the cart is a vast improvement.
Project Name: TipJar
Roles: Design Thinker, Facilitator, User Researcher, Creative Director
Brief: TipJar is an online community for caregivers to connect with other caregivers to find helpful tips and information related to caregiving.
Project Name: Livably
Roles: User Researcher, UX / UI Designer
Brief: Livably is a mobile app that helps older adults find new homes within neighborhoods that is better suited to their needs.
Project Name: TransZen
Roles: User Researcher, UX / UI Designer, Product Manager
Brief: TransZen is a mobile app that helps trans individuals find health care professionals who are well informed and sensitive to the needs of trans individuals.
I'm always up for exciting projects and new opportunities. Reach out to me if you are interested in collaboration.
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