Patrick Joseph Rodriguez

Through research it was observed that adjusting to new tools and software in a professional environment can be challenging. Considering that looking for help on the internet is often time-consuming and disrupts the productivity of employees, an efficient and collaborative way for people to learn new skills, without disrupting users’ workflows, is needed. As a small, interdisciplinary team, I collaborated with two other designers to create a product that would address these issues through immersive technology.

The pandemic has forced many people and companies to reevaluate what "work" looks like, suggesting there may be tools, processes, and methods that could be improved to create a better setup for co-creation.

As immersive technologies can help increase learner engagement through meaningful experiences, tapping into kinesthetic or even tactile learning, there is the opportunity to improve upon existing platforms that have yet to integrate them. With the variety of daily tasks in life that must be learned, Mixed-Reality products, like SPEX, could grow beyond software skills and apply to other processes beyond screens such as how to use a printer, a credit card machine, or any device used in the workspace.

By wearing and viewing through the Mixed-Reality headset, users will see a visually-enhanced workspace and can communicate with SPEX primarily through voice and gesture. Learners may ask for help with skills and relevant skill tutorials developed by creators will be provided. By working seamlessly and securely, users will find their workflow enhanced without interruptions.

Using the SafeHere smartphone app, direct and discreet communication between local businesses and safety ambassadors allows for a more secure experience for visitors along Main Street, Santa Monica.

Without COVID-19 vaccines available yet to the public, visitors along Santa Monica’s Main Street felt uncomfortable being within close proximity to others who did not follow health regulations, such as social distancing and wearing face masks. Besides calling the police, which interrupts valuable time where they could be assisting more urgent situations, the lack of a standard manner to address non-emergency safety concerns negatively impacted businesses, as local establishments dealt with many complaints from customers.

Research data indicated that visitors want a place to report COVID-related health concerns; they want to be heard and responded to. As incidents may often occur suddenly and can range from a variety of types, users need a quick, intuitive, and discreet way to report an issue without compromising their own safety. In order to ensure high-quality and prevent any reporting based on discrimination, users would need to be held accountable to the types of reports they are making. By offering SafeHere to businesses, where their employees create the reports, businesses could gain control over their space and lessen the workload for visitors themselves, allowing them to focus on an enjoyable experience.

Through real-time incident reporting, visitors feel an absence of authority when it comes to enforcing safety protocols. With the aid of photos, videos, and brief descriptions, highly trained safety ambassadors are provided with the essential information they need to respond to incidents, where they can educate the public on local policies and promote a safe environment.

Grand Park wishes to establish itself as a cultural hub for downtown Los Angeles, inviting community and collaboration for all varieties of demographics. Without a strong universal allure to the area and being located far from any residential areas, park leadership finds itself wanting to increase awareness and visitation to its space. Grand Games is an interactive park experience that lets you reconnect with your inner play. By integrating playful challenges into Grand Park’s physical space, park-goers can remember the games of their childhood and be introduced to new cultures, fostering a deeper, more intimate association between the park and the people.

Locals view Grand park as an event venue instead of an outdoor central gathering space. Locals are searching for unique L.A. experiences but only visit the park if there’s a specific event happening.

Visitors don’t understand what the main purpose of the park is, yet are looking for unique “hidden gem” experiences. After implementing the proposed solution, users loved the highlighting of culture & diversity that Los Angeles had to offer. Overall, L.A. locals want a reason to explore Grand Park outside of events.

Grand Games allows users to choose a language and explore games from its culture, which they can later play in Grand Park. Using the provided QR codes on game instructions, users would be linked to information about the culture that inspired each challenge or prompted to visit cultural neighborhoods and historical sites. These signs would be placed in various areas around the park and can be moved and the floor decals adjusted.