Have you ever felt unsafe walking home alone at night, or taking a late bus by yourself? Women experience this everyday. As a designer I strive to challenge the social issues that we’ve naturally accepted over time. When focussing on this topic I realised the problem of women's safety is far too big to solve overnight, but who’s to say tackling one part isn’t the start to change?
'Safe Home' is a TFI Leap system adaptation that consists of 3 key touchpoints: a special edition Leap card that integrates with the current system, an improved personal alarm that ensures safety post service use, and the addition of new Leap
App features to alert home of your journey.
During the development of 'Safe Home' I empathised and co-created with young girls, focussing on their journey home in Dublin when using public transport, the strong possibility of their phone dying and their interactions with each touchpoint they reach along the way.
Throughout this project I worked closely with Charul Singh, Product Owner looking after transport technology, Leap NFC Apps. She guided me with advice throughout the project on how feasible and implementable these changes were.
This new feature to the Leap Top-Up App allows the user to select close contacts they'd like to notify of their journey. It also enables you to select individual contacts or groups you've created for better communication.
When you have tagged on your close contacts will receive a notification. This acts as a comfort blanket if the users phone is low on battery or if they always need to be collected from their stop
This special edition Leap Card has been adapted with the addition of a raised design on one side on the card. This acts as a relaxation tool to distract the user if they feel anxious while commuting home.
The raised card is based on improving the parasympathetic nervous system. The Leap Card encourages someone to work on their breathing rate which will automatically slow down their heart rate, allowing for the user to calm down.
Next we have a new improved personal safety alarm. The alarm has a LED Light, a charging port and a hook attachment so it can be wearable. When you squeeze the flower a sharp noise will go off which also alerts the nearest Garda Station that you're in trouble.
By making the alarm chargeable it encourages everyday use, and builds new daily habits.
The alarm comes in various different cover options allowing it to be wearable, interchangeable and fun. The small hoop also allows for keychains or straps to be attached.
Packaging – You would be able to purchase a 'Safe Home' Leap card and alarm exactly how you currently sign up for one on the Leap Card Website.
Campaign shots - I worked closely with Martina Martinez, the Senior Marketing Officer of the NTA for advice on how these new changes to the system could be advertised. She provided me with the necessary assets to put on the posters to see how they would look.