Challenge:
Imagine you’re a UX designer tasked with developing a new innovative technology. The goal is to create a product with a positive social impact, but you must also consider the ethical implications of your design.
Choose one of the following focus areas for your design:
Education: Develop a technology that promotes access to quality education for underserved communities.
Healthcare: Design a user-friendly platform that improves access to preventative healthcare or mental health resources.
Environmental Sustainability: Create a tool that empowers individuals to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives.
Your Design Must Address:
The target user: Who will benefit most from this technology? Consider their needs, challenges, and access to resources.
Functionality: How will your design address the chosen focus area and create a positive impact?
Ethical Considerations: Identify potential ethical dilemmas associated with your technology (e.g., data privacy, accessibility, bias).
Privacy and Security: How will your design prioritize user privacy and data security?
User Interface (UI): Create a mock-up of your user interface, keeping in mind usability and accessibility.
Deliverables:
A short design document (2-3 pages): Explain your chosen focus area, target user, and the functionalities of your technology. Detail the ethical considerations you identified and solutions you propose to mitigate them. Describe how your design prioritizes user privacy and security.
A user interface (UI) mock-up: Visually represent your technology using a design tool or simple sketches. Focus on clarity, usability, and accessibility for the target user.
Evaluation Criteria:
Innovation and Social Impact: Does your design address a real need and offer a creative solution?
Ethical Considerations: Have you identified potential ethical pitfalls and proposed solutions to ensure responsible design?
Privacy and Security: Does your design prioritize user privacy and data security?
Usability and Accessibility: Is your UI clear, intuitive, and accessible to the target user?
Presentation: Is your design document well-organized, and does your UI mock-up effectively represent your concept?
Remember: The goal is to demonstrate your ability to design for both functionality and responsible innovation.
Bonus Points: Consider the potential long-term impact of your technology and how it could be scaled to create a more widespread positive impact.
