Christina Strok

Tasked to create a mobile app where tools can be shared between neighbors in a community. Used various research methods to discover competitors, target audience, pain points and implemented these findings into a mobile app design. Built a prototype, conducted usability testing, and collected feedback to further the insights.

Tools can be purchased and rented as needed, but there are occasions when an expensive tool is only needed once, or inexpensive tools are not considered necessary to own. And then, there are times a store is an inconvenient drive away, out of stock, or the frustrating experience of tracking down a salesclerk for help.

Through an in-depth competitive analysis, I discovered that a sense of security was the top concern among users with other apps like Lend Me It. It was identified that the terms and conditions were an extremely important part of the onboarding process of new users. I also uncovered during interviews that the main pain points were inconvenience in time (learning a new tool or commuting to store), limited connection to community, and a lack of resources to finish more projects.

The final solution was a mobile app that helps neighbors locate nearby tools with features such as a feed, search, camera for uploading photos, favorites, user account, reviews, scheduling and booking, messaging, specifications, tutorials, and terms & conditions, to help meet the needs of the target audience.

Through the lens of Neighborhood Engagement, CicLAvia tasked us to identify, create, and design ways to get community members excited about the event and see it as an opportunity to activate their spaces.

When planning a CicLAvia event, organizers will go door-to-door through specific communities, and for many people it’s hard to understand what the event is and what it is not. For example, many people consider the event a closure, when many businesses would actually benefit from staying open. What are the ways to explain to event locals what the event is and how it’s inclusive for everyone. So how might we encourage participants to engage along the route and activate business participation?

During the research phase our team discovered at the CicLAvia Heart of LA event that participants needed access to a map to help them navigate the route and find open businesses.The map created an opportunity to have conversations with event goers and businesses which led us to further insights: participants need a place to access community information and businesses need an easier way to get information on how to get involved.

Our solution was to design a traveling map to increase engagement between participants at the event and the community. This large-scale, physical traveling map would give participants a visual understanding of their location while the traveling guide (volunteer) spreads the word about things to do on the route that are not highlighted on the CicLAvia website. This would encourage discovery and exploration of local businesses, hidden gems, hot spots, and activities along the route that are meant to further enhance their experience that day while opening their eyes to another area in LA.