Rosie Dominguez

The pandemic has forced many people and many companies to re-evaluate what "work" looks like. In a time when most knowledge-based work is done from home, productivity has grown and meetings became more inclusive. When the workspaces (and study spaces) reopen a lot of people will be able to compare these "remote" and "on-site" experiences and draw from them to imagine a better way to work. For this design challenge, our team re-imagined what a workspace could look like.

The countless hours lost in commuting and endless distractions on public transit, makes many knowledge workers dread returning back to the work commute.

In 2019, Los Angeles drivers wasted an average of 102 hours stuck in traffic. Workers with commutes of 60 minutes or more lose a week’s work of productivity. Commuters are looking for ways to effectively use their time while commuting to and from work. They also prefer to have a single seat and private space to be productive during their commute.

Pod Space is a pod inside commuter trains that are soundproof to block out distracting sounds, has a monitor the user can connect to via Bluetooth, a height-adjustable desk to use while standing or sitting, wifi connectivity, and the frosted glass doors to provide privacy. The pod can be used to watch online tutorials, take an online course, and spend time developing a new skill.

How can we enhance the guest experience to encourage visitors to co-create the story of Grand Park so that they can have a slice of the park wherever they go?

How might we create an experience for nature enthusiasts who want to have a deeper connection with plants?

Visitation at Grand Park is only high during lunch hours and events. Visitors are looking for novel events and new experiences. People are exploring new ways to connect with nature via technology but it is often expensive.

We decided to create an immersive nature experience where sound takes the center stage. Plants at Grand Park take on a whole new life. Each plant in the park will have a unique QR code that park visitors can scan with their mobile devices to get information about the plant and listen to a sound clip assigned to that plant. Sounds can later be used to create musical compositions and shared with other visitors. Park goers can tour the park and put together a symphony by the time they are done with their nature walk.

COVID affected how businesses provide services. Our team looked at how COVID had affected Union Station and its passengers.

How might we create an interactive system that solves transportation and mobility issues in post COVID Los Angeles?

Riders need to get information that will help them make smarter decisions on their commutes. As a result, we minimize exposure to COVID-19 by minimizing the need for face-to-face interactions and time spent inside Union Station. Commuters feel unsafe touching surfaces. COVID-19 Virus remains on surfaces and is infectious for 28 days at room temperatures or in the dark. They feel more confident resolving an issue when speaking to a real person which is hard to find during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commuters would prefer a contactless fare payment option over using cash.

Hey, Metro! is a voice-operated payment, trip planning, and commuter assistance kiosk at Union Station. Our solution is a touchless self-service technology that would help Metro provide a simple and efficient experience for its commuters.