Design for Disasters Reflection

I found this studio project really insightful. It enlightened me in a new way of thinking about design. Unlike previous past studios focused on the form of objects; this project made us think and realise a real life solution to problems in developing countries.

A focus on Maritime disaster response was a difficult task at first, because all I could cross relate too was the devastation of the Titanic. However, the more research I carried out; I soon began to see holes in the marketplace specifically surrounding the rescue of a lot of people. More so, most maritime products didn’t reach potential in addressing developing nations needs.

My product Lilo. introduces a new ticketing system for developing nations in the Asia Pacific. Due to geographic features mostly island archipelagos and poor road conditions; Ferries is the most popular mode of transport for carrying goods and people in the Asia pacific. Overcrowding is a huge problem among these ferries alone and/or combined with common tropical weather storms; can create a formula for disaster and catastrophic loss of life for these nations. Of course after a ferry disaster; there is no way to determine how many people were on board and obviously how many fatalities. Identification of the dead is also another large underlying problem.

Lilo aims to solve these problems by incorporating an RFID tag into a ticketing wristband worn at all times aboard for user identification and to calculate the number of people aboard the ferry to restrict overcrowding. This wristband would also feature by colour and graphics a ticket system much alike Sydney state transit; indicating section of travel for fares.

Through my research I discovered the importance of the realm of responsibility for these ferries as most are unregistered. This product could be a vector for social and cultural change as the countries national ticketing system for ferries under ‘MyFerry Pass’. Whereby, the national government could take back control of ferry operators; by tracking through the RFID data system the number of people on board to stop overcrowding and those that disobey weather warnings. Sanctions could then be introduced to punish operators not complying. This would be one way to register all ferries and safety protocol; making civilians feel a lot safe about boarding ferries in the future.

Incorporated into Lilo wristband is a battery operated and water activated emergency LED light in case of disaster to attract rescue and aid comfort for survival.

Throughout the duration of this project I really enjoyed and found each lecture insightful about learning about new products in the market to help developing countries, designing for sustainability and particularly the concept of leapfrogging.

As a technical project finding feasible technology to work the product was a challenging task.  Before I could even start designing the product I had to carry out a lot of research. I wanted to run the light source of the wristband on kinetic energy; however I unfortunately discovered there are no rechargeable 6-12volt batteries small enough for the size of the product. I looked into El technology; a paper thin light display instead of LEDS but they too only run off a very high voltage supply.

In conclusion I feel like this project in a couple of years time with slim, thin and lightweight technology would be a fantastic little product for developing nations in the near future to save lives. Overall, I am now enlightened and feel Industrial designers can; product by product slowly change the world. I hope to realise this in my career now and in the future.