NightWatch Safety App
NightWatch Safety App
A mobile app that helps people to stay safe while walking & traveling alone.
A mobile app that helps people to stay safe while walking & traveling alone.
Product Design
2023
Passion Project
Mobile
My Role
UX research, UX design, user testing.
UX research, UX design, user testing.
Team
Solo-project
Solo-project
Timeline:
Jan 2023 - August 2023
Jan 2023 - August 2023
Overview
Overview
Skip to the parts you want to see
Skip to the parts you want to see
Why I Started this Project?
Why I Started this Project?
What inspired me?
What inspired me?
"Text me when you get home!"
"Text me when you get home!"
It is sad that we see this as normal: for girls to text each other that they’ve got home safe; for women to constantly check in with each other to know that they are safe. I want to play my part and help target the safety concerns of women and minorities.
It is sad that we see this as normal: for girls to text each other that they’ve got home safe; for women to constantly check in with each other to know that they are safe. I want to play my part and help target the safety concerns of women and minorities.
Although there is progress in gender equity and increased awareness, women still face unique challenges as they travel alone. Despite being aware of existing safety apps, 60% of women choose not to use them for various reasons. Why?
Although there is progress in gender equity and increased awareness, women still face unique challenges as they travel alone. Despite being aware of existing safety apps, 60% of women choose not to use them for various reasons. Why?
User Research
User Research
What are my research goals?
What are my research goals?
Understand pain-points that women faces as they try to walk and travel alone.
Understand pain-points that women faces as they try to walk and travel alone.
Analyze how women feel about their personal safety.
Analyze how women feel about their personal safety.
Determine safey issues for women and minorities.
Determine safey issues for women and minorities.
Observe the solutions that are used to combat current safety issues.
Observe the solutions that are used to combat current safety issues.
Find opportunities and gaps in existing safety solutions.
Find opportunities and gaps in existing safety solutions.
Chosen Research Methodologies
Chosen Research Methodologies
Peer-reviewed research
Peer-reviewed research
User Survey (Google Form)
User Survey (Google Form)
User Interview (semi-structured)
User Interview (semi-structured)
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Women are Saying…
Women are Saying…
What are some current needs and pain-points?
What are some current needs and pain-points?
First I conducted a Google Form survey among women and received 18 answers. Here is what I learned:
First I conducted a Google Form survey among women and received 18 answers. Here is what I learned:
How often do you walk and travel alone?
How often do you walk and travel alone?
More than 77% of women have to constantly walk and travel alone.
Which situations do you feel the most vulnerable when walking alone?
Which situations do you feel the most vulnerable when walking alone?
Have you downloaded and used any safety apps before?
Have you downloaded and used any safety apps before?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
How do you currently ensure your safety when you are alone in public?
First I conducted a Google Form survey among women and received 18 answers. Here is what I learned:
First I conducted a Google Form survey among women and received 18 answers. Here is what I learned:
”
"Most situations where I feel unsafe take place in dark environments, alleyways, and near people who seem dangerous due to intoxication etc. Getting off from work late at night is one that occurs quite often, especially given the neighborhood that I work in and how far the commute is from my house.
Sketchy Neighborhood at Night
”
"One day I was walking alone at night from work place to the parking lot, I saw a coyote 3 meters from me"
Wild Animal at Night
”
"Walking alone in the dark when it's quiet...and there is rarely people around - it's just scary."
Quiet Areas
”
“I kept getting cat-called in downtown Vancouver; in NYC there are sus ppl walking beside me and I ignore them.”
Downtown Streets
”
"the campus at night is actually kind scary. I always try to sprint to the bus stop."
University Campus
”
"A drunk guy on Sky-Train tried to stop me from getting off the train, I felt extremely unsafe."
Public Transportation
”
“In winter times when it gets dark at 4pm, I feel like I can’t stay out very long, especially when I am waiting for my bus at downtown.”
Downtown Streets
”
"A drunk guy on Sky-Train tried to stop me from getting off the train, I felt extremely unsafe."
Public Transportation
”
“In winter times when it gets dark at 4pm, I feel like I can’t stay out very long, especially when I am waiting for my bus at downtown.”
Downtown Streets
”
"A drunk guy on Sky-Train tried to stop me from getting off the train, I felt extremely unsafe."
Public Transportation
”
“In winter times when it gets dark at 4pm, I feel like I can’t stay out very long, especially when I am waiting for my bus at downtown.”
Downtown Streets
When and where do you feel unsafe while walking alone in public?
When and where do you feel unsafe while walking alone in public?
Here are some direct quotes from user interviews
Here are some direct quotes from user interviews
Notifying emergency contact
Suggested by:
16 Women
Real-time safety alerts and notifications
Suggested by:
16 Women
GPS tracking and location sharing
Suggested by:
17 Women
Safety tips and educational resources
Suggested by:
7 Women
Panic button for immediate assistance
Suggested by:
17 Women
Community support and reporting features
Suggested by:
11 Women
Peer Reviewed Research
Peer Reviewed Research
What others research has been done on this topic?
What others research has been done on this topic?
At the University of Washington, there is a study on the Citizen App, a commercially available app which notifies users about local safety incidents.
At the University of Washington, there is a study on the Citizen App, a commercially available app which notifies users about local safety incidents.
Takeaway: If the incidents are too far away, there is no need to alert users as it can be anxiety-inducing.
Takeaway: If the incidents are too far away, there is no need to alert users as it can be anxiety-inducing.
"Although participants appreciated the increased awareness that came with using Citizen, they also said that the frequency of alerts was “stressful” (P9) and “anxiety-inducing” (P6). This is consistent with what users have shared on product reviews of the app [59]. Participants received 5 to 15 alerts per day, with the influx becoming “really crazy” at night (P8). The incidents that participants felt were the least helpful were ones that were “far, far away” (P3) or inconsequential to their personal safety. P11, for example, guessed that maybe “one out of 20 [incident notifications] is actually useful” because “unless you’re within half a mile or a quarter-mile away from me, I really don’t care.”
"Although participants appreciated the increased awareness that came with using Citizen, they also said that the frequency of alerts was “stressful” (P9) and “anxiety-inducing” (P6). This is consistent with what users have shared on product reviews of the app [59]. Participants received 5 to 15 alerts per day, with the influx becoming “really crazy” at night (P8). The incidents that participants felt were the least helpful were ones that were “far, far away” (P3) or inconsequential to their personal safety. P11, for example, guessed that maybe “one out of 20 [incident notifications] is actually useful” because “unless you’re within half a mile or a quarter-mile away from me, I really don’t care.”
Quotes from "Deceptive Design Patterns in Safety Technologies: A Case Study of the Citizen App."
Quotes from "Deceptive Design Patterns in Safety Technologies: A Case Study of the Citizen App."
Takeaway: There is a lack of quality control in reported incidents
Takeaway: There is a lack of quality control in reported incidents
A user wishes that there were "more ways to break down when you would get notifications and about what types. . .like I don’t want a notification about a traffic accident but, like, I would like to know if there’s a shooting right across the street, or if there was a break-in near my complex within you know, a mile or two."
A user wishes that there were "more ways to break down when you would get notifications and about what types. . .like I don’t want a notification about a traffic accident but, like, I would like to know if there’s a shooting right across the street, or if there was a break-in near my complex within you know, a mile or two."
Quotes from "Deceptive Design Patterns in Safety Technologies: A Case Study of the Citizen App.
Quotes from "Deceptive Design Patterns in Safety Technologies: A Case Study of the Citizen App.
Is a stolen iPhone necessary to be an alert that notifies users?
Is a stolen iPhone necessary to be an alert that notifies users?
Is a stolen iPhone necessary to be an alert that notifies users?
User Insights
Based on user survey, interviews and peer-reviewed research, I organized my findings below:
Based on user survey, interviews and peer-reviewed research, I organized my findings below:
Relevancy
Users want to know about what's happening only if it's important and close to them.
Users want to know about what's happening only if it's important and close to them.
Users care about the safety of people close to them and not just themselves.
Users care about the safety of people close to them and not just themselves.
Situational
Users imagine safety apps to help them while facing situational impairments, such as walking at night, divided attention, low vision, and fear.
Users imagine safety apps to help them while facing situational impairments, such as walking at night, divided attention, low vision, and fear.
Users want an app that helps them easily reach their goals, especially during emergency situations.
Users want an app that helps them easily reach their goals, especially during emergency situations.
Engagement
Loneliness induces fear. Users want a sense of being with trusted people when they walk / travel alone.
Loneliness induces fear. Users want a sense of being with trusted people when they walk / travel alone.
Users value a community that supports each other when feeling anxious and scared.
Users value a community that supports each other when feeling anxious and scared.
Safety
Users believe personal safety is still a prominent issue worth solving.
Users believe personal safety is still a prominent issue worth solving.
Users need to report their safety to people close to them.
Users need to report their safety to people close to them.
User Persona
User Persona
Who are my users?
Who are my users?
User Empathy Map
User Empathy Map
Who are my users?
Who are my users?
User Journey Map
User Journey Map
Based on previous research and insights, I created a journey map to find out what steps, feelings and pain-points a user might go through as she walks outside alone.
Based on previous research and insights, I created a journey map to find out what steps, feelings and pain-points a user might go through as she walks outside alone.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
Let's narrow it down.
Let's narrow it down.
Users need a way to travel alone safely while staying alert, without excessively bothering their friends and not being distracted by unnecessary alerts.
Users need a way to travel alone safely while staying alert, without excessively bothering their friends and not being distracted by unnecessary alerts.
Design Goals
Design Goals
What are the focus areas of the design?
What are the focus areas of the design?
Users should only be exposed to information that are relevant to them.
Users should only be exposed to information that are relevant to them.
Relevancy
Users should be able to use the app while facing situational impairments, such as walking at night, divided attention, low vision, and fear.
Users should be able to use the app while facing situational impairments, such as walking at night, divided attention, low vision, and fear.
Situational
Users should complete their tasks easily with no point of confusion.
Users should complete their tasks easily with no point of confusion.
Simple
Necessary information should be easily accessed by the users.
Necessary information should be easily accessed by the users.
Transparent
Solution
Highlights of App Features
Each highlight is an aspect of the NightWatch safety app experience. It calls out which design goal it adheres to, what user problem its solving and what the solution is.
Design Goal:
Relevancy
Zone Classification System: Safe Zone and Caution Zone
User Scenario Recall
Users are not familiar with their surroundings while navigating new places, nor they are aware of areas of safety to get immediate help.
Solution
Zone classification helps users find the closest locations where it's safe to ask for help in times of trouble; it also marks the places to avoid.
detail
stay alert with real-time events
detail
SOS Button in thumb area for both left & right-handed users
detail
see who’s watching over you
Safe Zone: ie) opened mall, law enforcement, hotel, shops
Caution Zone: ie) unpopulated area, area with high user report rates
Your current location
Timely Alerts: incidents reported by users. ie) police activity, missing person, burglary...
Tracking
Not Tracking
Keep an Open Eye
When you turn on Track Me, the Owl's eyes will open too. Indicating that your Watchers are keeping an open eye for your safety
When you turn on Track Me, the Owl's eyes will open too. Indicating that your Watchers are keeping an open eye for your safety
Design Goal:
Simple
1 click to alert Watchers, 2 clicks to alert EMS.
1 click to alert Watchers, 2 clicks to alert EMS.
User Scenario Recall
Users have no access to immediate response in times of trouble.
Users have no access to immediate response in times of trouble.
Solution
Clicking the prominent SOS button immediately sends an SOS message to the pre-chosen Watchers, including your current location. Click again to alert the emergency services and organizations.
Clicking the prominent SOS button immediately sends an SOS message to the pre-chosen Watchers, including your current location. Click again to alert the emergency services and organizations.
detail
Alert status is clearly shown for confirmation
Alert status is clearly shown for confirmation
detail
Click purple button again to alert emergency services
Click purple button again to alert emergency services
detail
Safety Pin is required to cancel the alert to prevent mis-click / if the user is safe
Safety Pin is required to cancel the alert to prevent mis-click / if the user is safe
Design Goal:
Transparent
See estimated ETA while waiting for emergency service.
User Scenario Recall
Users do not know when help is coming in times of trouble.
Solution
When EMS is contacted, an ETA and real-time location will be shown to reassure users that help is on the way.
detail
1-click to contact all Watchers & individual Watchers
detail
Easy to see ETA and location
detail
Safety Pin is required to cancel the alert to prevent mis-click / if the user is safe
Design Goal:
Situational
Simulate a phone call to get away from unwanted situation
User Scenario Recall
Users find it hard to get away from uncomfortable conversations with strangers in public.
Solution
Users can choose from various phone calls and pretend that they are on a call to get away discreetly from unwanted situations. Users can also pre-record customized calls. A transcript and scenario preview are also provided.
detail
Simulated calls for Ride-share & public transportation are included
detail
Preview the scenario for users to select the right call to help with their current situation
Design Goal:
Relevancy
Real-time alerts within 3 km and from the past 48 hours.
User Scenario Recall
Users find certain safety app's constant alerts anxiety-inducing, while they are being alerted of incidents that are far away from them.
Solution
Users will only be alerted when the incident is timely ( past 48 hours) and close to them (within 3 kim). Users can also choose not to receive alerts in settings.
detail
Alerts qualified for "urgent" will be displayed first
detail
Time & distance displayed for each alert
detail
A short alert summary is displayed for quick scanning
Solution
Highlights of App Features
Each highlight is an aspect of the NightWatch safety app experience. It calls out which design goal it adheres to, what user problem its solving and what the solution is.
Design Goal:
Relevancy
Zone Classification System: Safe Zone and Caution Zone
User Scenario Recall
Users are not familiar with their surroundings while navigating new places, nor they are aware of areas of safety to get immediate help.
Solution
Zone classification helps users find the closest locations where it's safe to ask for help in times of trouble; it also marks the places to avoid.
detail
stay alert with real-time events
detail
SOS Button in thumb area for both left & right-handed users
detail
see who’s watching over you
Safe Zone: ie) opened mall, law enforcement, hotel, shops
Caution Zone: ie) unpopulated area, area with high user report rates
Your current location
Timely Alerts: incidents reported by users. ie) police activity, missing person, burglary...
Design Goal:
Transparent
See estimated ETA while waiting for emergency service.
User Scenario Recall
Users do not know when help is coming in times of trouble.
Solution
When EMS is contacted, an ETA and real-time location will be shown to reassure users that help is on the way.
detail
1-click to contact all Watchers & individual Watchers
detail
Easy to see ETA and location
detail
Safety Pin is required to cancel the alert to prevent mis-click / if the user is safe
Design Goal:
Situational
Simulate a phone call to get away from unwanted situation
User Scenario Recall
Users find it hard to get away from uncomfortable conversations with strangers in public.
Solution
Users can choose from various phone calls and pretend that they are on a call to get away discreetly from unwanted situations. Users can also pre-record customized calls. A transcript and scenario preview are also provided.
detail
Simulated calls for Ride-share & public transportation are included
detail
Preview the scenario for users to select the right call to help with their current situation
Design Goal:
Relevancy
Real-time alerts within 3 km and from the past 48 hours.
User Scenario Recall
Users find certain safety app's constant alerts anxiety-inducing, while they are being alerted of incidents that are far away from them.
Solution
Users will only be alerted when the incident is timely ( past 48 hours) and close to them (within 3 kim). Users can also choose not to receive alerts in settings.
detail
Alerts qualified for "urgent" will be displayed first
detail
Time & distance displayed for each alert
detail
A short alert summary is displayed for quick scanning
User Testing
User Testing
How do the users feel about the solution?
How do the users feel about the solution?
I asked 5 women to explore the NightWatch prototype and asked them to complete a few tasks on their own. After spending some time on the prototype, each user answered an SUS survey.
I asked 5 women to explore the NightWatch prototype and asked them to complete a few tasks on their own. After spending some time on the prototype, each user answered an SUS survey.
NightWatch received a SUS score of 80%.
NightWatch received a SUS score of 80%.
100 % of users (5/5) thought the application was easy to use and felt confident while using it.
100 % of users (5/5) thought the application was easy to use and felt confident while using it.
100 % of users (5/5) thought the application was easy to use and felt confident while using it.
80 % of users (4/5) found the various functions in this application were well integrated.
80 % of users (4/5) found the various functions in this application were well integrated.
80 % of users (4/5) found the various functions in this application were well integrated.
80% of users (4/5) felt very confident using the system.
80% of users (4/5) felt very confident using the system.
80% of users (4/5) felt very confident using the system.
In Retrospect
In Retrospect
Takeaways and what can be improved
Takeaways and what can be improved
Limitations
Limitations
More data on users is needed as my existing data has a small sample size. This helps validate my designs and make future iterations.
More data on users is needed as my existing data has a small sample size. This helps validate my designs and make future iterations.
The current prototype is more friendly to adult users, but more design considerations should be added for children and the elderly. These two groups also benefit from having more safety protections when out alone.
The current prototype is more friendly to adult users, but more design considerations should be added for children and the elderly. These two groups also benefit from having more safety protections when out alone.
This is a solo work. If I have a team of designers, researchers and developers, the scope of this project will be incomparable with a multidisciplinary team.
This is a solo work. If I have a team of designers, researchers and developers, the scope of this project will be incomparable with a multidisciplinary team.
Future Steps
Future Steps
More data sampling on users of all ages is needed. Moderated usability testing is also needed to test prototypes.
More data sampling on users of all ages is needed. Moderated usability testing is also needed to test prototypes.
Potential entrepreneurship: recruit more team members to work on this project to solve issues in women's safety. The result might not even be a safety app and that is okay - it can be a wearable or more emergent technology. As long as we are working to solve this issue using our expertise while staying true to the users.
Potential entrepreneurship: recruit more team members to work on this project to solve issues in women's safety. The result might not even be a safety app and that is okay - it can be a wearable or more emergent technology. As long as we are working to solve this issue using our expertise while staying true to the users.
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