Hannah GuerinJane LienTara Tan

BLUE PULSE:Bluetooth@Fortune

Group

Name Surname 1Name Surname 2 Name Surname 3

The Process: Our Thoughts

Q: What were the initial reactions to the project?We had known that we would be working with youth. However, it came as a surprise when we realized that we weren’t working with youth and schools, but rather youth and an organization that helped reintegrate prisoners back into society. Jane was shocked and imagined us going to a prison. But, after the initial shock, she quickly came to appreciate the project after learning more about the prison system and its complex and seemingly unjust politics; the discussions helped her rethink some of her initial prejudices. Meanwhile Tara had worked with Fortune before and was excited to embark on a different perspective in designing specifically for ATI clients, and Hannah, whom had known about Fortune through Tara, was excited to collaborate with Fortune first-hand.

Q: What was the biggest challenge? Time constraints were definitely a challenge as it made it hard to fully embrace the society and its environment. We wished that we had more time to spend talking to clients and getting to know them. Another challenge was working to satisfy the various views amongst ourselves and of the clients, and the different priorities of all the users, ranging from the Fortune teachers, to the career-oriented ATI clients, and to the more youthful ATI clients.

Q: Has it impacted each of you?Yes. In our culture, people tend to stereotype and have a certain perspective of people who have been incarcerated or arrested. It was interesting to be able to talk to the clients and find that we relate to them at many levels. Furthermore, learning about the prison system has helped us to see it in a new way. It is frustrating to see that the current system is ineffective, costly, and needs to be redesigned.

Q: What did you take away from the project?Fortune Society is a great place! Working with the organization and its clients was definitely an unforgettable experience. The work that Fortune do is invaluable and we hope more people will hear about them, use their services, and support them.

Brainstorming: Polarity Map

We started brainstorming concepts around the word ‘engage’. Using a polarity map we thought of ideas in the spheres of active/passive and formal/informal. An active activity involves a client being on site and physically participating in the activity. A passive activity is more like a campaign where clients act merely as recipients. A formal activity requires planning and a set time and place. On the other hand, an informal activity happens more spontaneously and does not require extensive planning.

On our first visit to Fortune we presented our four original ideas which consisted of, “Dress for Success,” “The Expressions Room,” “I Saw You Doing Good Card,” and “Designed Space for Interaction.”

The concept Text describing the concept

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ActivePassive ENGAGE

Dress for Success was an idea to encourage clients to dress-up for special occasions, such as class presentations and mock interviews.

The Expressions Room was an idea to create a room filled with materials clients could use to express themselves, from musical instruments, writing materials, and video recording tools.

I Saw You Doing Good was an idea for a campaign where clients and staff could reward each other with “I saw you doing good” cards when they witnessed another Fortune member doing a good deed.

Designed Space for Interaction was an idea to renovate Fortune’s spaces to encourage interaction between Fortune clients and faculty.

Our Preliminary Concepts:Redesign of the Recreation Room

Redesigning the Recreation Room was an idea that we developed from our initial idea, “Designed Space for Interaction.” The basis of “Designed Space for Interaction” was to have a space that encouraged Fortune clients and faculty to interact with each other. From client comments we realized that they enjoy the already existing recreation space, in particular the ping-pong table, but it is challenging to get Fortune to replace old equipment or purchase new ones. Our goal with this concept was to bring in new equipment and materials that they could use to interact with one another such as, computers, a television, communal seating, and snacks.

Our Preliminary Concepts:Taking Responsibility

This idea looks to create opportunities for the clients to step up and assume responsibilities and hold accountability for their actions and paths. From our interactions with the clients, we observed that clients did not always hold through on their commitments; fundamentally, this would lead to negative impacts for the community such as less event initiatives. Also, we felt it important to empower the clients by motivating them to take on challenges. For example, through open-ended class presentations, client’s can select a topic of their interest and passion and pro-actively share it with their peers.Although, it may not be the most ‘fun’ intervention for the Fortune Society, we felt that if made mandatory, and initial reluctance was overcome, it may stimulate better engagement from the clients, and give them more opportunities to gain a sense of pride for their work.

In proposing this idea to the clients, we gained two primary insights. Firstly, many of the clients seemed to be very career-oriented and they were highly interested in interventions that would be effective in getting them paying jobs. Secondly, an interesting thought between mandatory and optional was instigated; the general population were disinclined to more mandatory events adding to their already tight schedules, but also, some identified that making activities optional might be a good way to separate out those who are genuinely interested and wanting to learn something from those who attend and distract at the cost of the rest of the class.

Our Preliminary Concepts:Becoming Effective Peers

The idea behind “Being an Effective Peer” stemmed from the “I Saw You Doing Good” concept where clients and staff could encourage one another with a card when they saw someone doing a good deed. We learned from the clients though that encouragement and thanks were already being said and as one client puts it “to have someone say that to you, is already a reward in itself.” We then decided to revise the idea.

The “Being an Effective Peer” idea would have been a collaboration between Fortune Society and The Gentleman Project (www.thegentlemanproject.com). Clients, staff, and volunteers from The Gentleman Project would have buttons that could be passed out when someone did a good deed for you. The campaign would also include a “wall of good deeds” and encouraging quotes posted in places like bathroom urinals. While the idea did not pass the feedback session intact, the idea brought up the issue of communication at Fortune and we saw how humor was well received by the clients.

After receiving feedback on “Redesigning the Recreation Room,” ”Becoming Effective Peers,” and “Taking Responsibility,” we went back to the drawing board. From the three concepts, we identified communication as a principle factor that could be improved at Fortune, and humor as something that resonates well with clients.

This led us to brainstorm about how we could improve communication channels at Fortune. One client got us thinking when he said posters were ineffective forms of communication - Posters are not read, unless you put them somewhere that is in the way, “like on the doorknob.” Another client added that it might be more effective to receive texts messages directly to his cell phone.

Merging key findings from the three concepts and feedback from clients, we came up with the idea of using Bluetooth technology as a form of communication. We have branded the Bluetooth messaging system Blue Pulse; and the communication messages being sent called Bluetooth Blasts.

By making communication easier and more effective, clients would be empowered to take responsibility and become more effective peers by being more informed, and by having the ability to take initiative to plan events and organize clubs themselves. Furthermore, humor could also be used spontaneously with Bluetooth Blasts being sent by clients themselves, or by Fortune.

Our Final Idea:Blue Pulse: Bluetooth@Fortune

Blue Pulse campaign branding

Blue Pulse will be about an innovative communication experience for the society. Communication is essential to any organization or community and therefore, we seek to impact the Fortune Society significantly through the introduction and use of Bluetooth technology.

The system that we propose is simple: the sender fills out a Bluetooth Blast form with their message and details, and hands it in to the Blue Pulse Coordinator. The coordinator then inputs the message into the system using a computer, and programs the message’s designated blast time and time period. In order to avoid disrupting classes and meetings, Bluetooth Blasts could be organized to only be sent out during breaks.

Additionally, the Blue Pulse campaign would incorporate the idea of redesigning a space for interaction. Along with Bluetooth symbols in cell phone designated areas, there would also be blue furniture and wall décor. In the entryway to the building, there would be a symbolic portal, to signify to users that they are stepping into a Blue Pulse zone. These additions strive to excite the clients about Blue Pulse and encourage them to take advantage of this new form of communication.

The following spreads are user blueprints that depict the chronological experiences and interactions of the various users with Blue Pulse.

We have identified two types of users: active and passive - both of which can be either Fortune staff or Fortune clients.

An active user (sender) would be one who has a message that he/she would like to spread to the community through Blue Pulse. On the other hand, a passive user (recipient) would be those who accept to Bluetooth Blasts to their cell phones.

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Client wants to be active within Fortune Society and takes initiative to plan desired event/ societal message.

At receptionist desk, client fills in the Bluetooth Blast form, where he writes his Blast message and details specifics, such as blast time.

If client does not understand system, receptionist would answer all questions.

Client hands form to receptionist.

Student organized activity falls into place.

Bluetooth Blast message forms

Writing utensilsBluetooth Blast machine

activity equipment

Receptionist enters message into Bluetooth system and blasts it.

Fortune and student organizer have collaborated on project logistics.

Fortune creates forms, and has them printed.

Bluetooth technology company fixes up the system.

Bluetooth company also provides continuous technical support.

Third party help for respective organized activity (i.e. YMCA)

As Blue Pulse is in its earlier adoptive stages, we propose that the receptionists (Vilma and Farad) can pioneer the project, and employ the roles of Blue Pulse Coordinators. However, as the system becomes more intergrated in the society, Fortune may look to find volunteers within their community to be responsible for the program.

Blue Pulse can be first introduced at a Fortune meeting, where all clients and staff are present. There can be a demonstration of the system and time for Q&A.

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Receptionist greets incoming client. Client sees ‘Activate’ campaign signs.

If client does not understand system, receptionist would answer all questions.

Client activates Bluetooth on his/ her cell phone.

An ‘accept/ decline’ message appears on their cell phone screens.

During breaks clients receive Bluetooth Blasts from Fortune.

Client sees message about activity details (or Fortune updates).

Student organized activity falls into place.

Receptionist enters message into Bluetooth system and blasts it.

Fortune and student organizer have collaborated on further organization.

Bluetooth technology company fixes up the system.

Bluetooth company also provides continuous technical support.

Third party help for respective organized activity (i.e. YMCA)

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As Blue Pulse is in its earlier adoptive stages, we propose that the receptionists (Vilma and Farad) can pioneer the project, and employ the roles of Blue Pulse Coordinators. However, as the system becomes more intergrated in the society, Fortune may look to find volunteers within their community to be responsible for the program.

Blue Pulse can be first introduced at a Fortune meeting, where all clients and staff are present. There can be a demonstration of the system and time for Q&A.

The client perspective (storyboard)

Users walk in.

File transfers to the user’s phone.

Users go about their daily activities: chilling at break time.

Active users fill in a form to submit the message they would like to have Bluetooth Blasted, and pass to Blue Pulse Coordinator.

Waves others over to view the message together, and talk about the message content.

Pictograms and Blue Pulse Coordinator on site to explain the system.

User receive a request to con-nect to the Blue Pulse network.

Bluetooth Blast file trans-ferred!

Bluetooth Blast comes through on phone! The message is titled. If interested user accepts the file transfer.

Users captivated by their changed environment, and are interested in what Blue Pulse is.

Text messaging (SMS), though an option, would have cost clients every time a message was received. Using a Bluetooth system, on the other hand, would be free for recipients, and only consist of a one-time cost to buy and install the technology to the Fortune Society facility in Long Island City. We feel that Fortune could likely seek sponsorship for this cost. The Bluetooth system is currently being used in areas such as malls for advertisement and tourist sites for site navigation tools.

With Bluetooth, clients and staff can send messages regarding upcoming community events, club information, birthday announcements, humorous encouragement, amongst others. Clients and staff can determine message content for Bluetooth Blasts, and the Blue Pulse Coordinator at Fortune will ultimately decide what messages are appropriate and the number of messages that will be blasted in a day.

The Bluetooth communication channels support various multimedia files, therefore messages can be sent as text, images, sound, and even movies.

Bluetooth Blast Message Examples

The various touchpoints

Clockwise, from top:Client’s cell phone + Blue Pulse Interface, Client filling in a Bluetooth Blast Message form, Pictogram brochure explaining the system, Redesigned Fortune Society entrance way, Redesigned Fortune leisure + cell phone designated area

Blue Pulse - Pictograms Blue Pulse - Bluetooth Blast Form

Blue Pulse campaign (continued)

Blue Pulse branding would be located in the entry way (see picture below) in the form of a portal, giving people passing through a visual sense of entering the “Blue Zone.” The branding would also be evident in cell phone designated areas (see right page) through blue room furnishings.

Bluetooth technology companies and our sources

blueMAGNET http://www.bluemagnet.com/xrange2000.html

Proximity Mediahttp://proximitymedia.com/home.htm

BluetoothOnhttp://www.bluetoothon.com/

The Bluetooth technology system

Input software managed through a computer. - message title- message- blast time period

Software also provides tools to measure success rate. Fortune staff could analyze this data.

Equipment: - a wireless bluetooth hardware with antenna- software for the computer- wire to attach hardware to computer

System abilities:- detects devices within radius of 350 feet- no maintenence cost; comes with a warranty

Pricing: about $150 per unit

Files supported:- text- still images- animated images- audio- video- Java applications- vCard (Business cards)- vCal (Calender events)