iPCITY Interactive Kiosk
How might we use interactive projections to create a comforting and pleasant environment at the Expo La Brea Metro station?
Project Brief
The objective of the project was to create a technology that would increase safety at the Expo/La Brea Metro station in Los Angeles, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, queer and trans people, and younger passengers.
Identified Solution
iPCITY uses projection technology to alter the existing environment at the Expo/La Brea Metro station, transforming it into an interactive, formal art space that creates a sense of comfort and ease.
While the initial objective was to ward off opportunities for crime and escalation, we ultimately came to the conclusion that a great impact could be made by redefining the culture of a train station. Instead of being cold, dark and isolating we imagined a space that would be uplifting and calming, thereby creating the feeing of safety and comfort.
User Research
Between covert observations and interviews with train passengers, our team identified three main insights:
Increased lighting and music create a feeling of ease and reduce fear.
People feel safer when there are others around them.
Being preoccupied by means of having headphones in or talking on the phone, wards off unwanted interactions.
Personas
Personas were developed based on the qualities and characteristics observed during user interviews and covert observations.
Each persona was marked by a different level of engagement and frequency at the Expo La Brea Metro station with the goal of ensuring our team was considering different types of passengers in our design.
Usability Studies
Usability studies uncovered flaws in design and user flow and gauged general sentiment in response to the concept. We received positive feedback across all participants.
“I would actually love that, I would bring my kids here every night.”
Scenario Video
After multiple iterations based on feedback from user testing, the final prototype was displayed in this scenario video which represents the implementation of the iPCITY Interactive Kiosk at the Expo La Brea Metro station.