Join Me

Building a neighborhood-based digital solution to foster safe and inclusive environment for women living alone in urban China



OVERVIEW

In response to the increasing number of women living alone in urban China and the safety risks they face, I embarked on an exploratory project to enhance their security and community connection. Through interviews and surveys, I developed user personas and identified key anxieties, which informed the design of a neighborhood-based digital service. This solution included a community invitation system, connections to local law enforcement, and a “treasure hunting” feature. Iterative testing revealed an 81% interaction friendliness score and a 75% user satisfaction rate, deepening my understanding of service design approaches for women’s safety and community building.

VIDEO
Promotional Video: https://youtu.be/kYQmb0oLrhw
Function Walkthrough: https://youtu.be/89hBZ2KffSw


ROLE
Self-guided project UX Researcher
UI/UX Designer

DURATION

Aug 2022 - Nov 2022


SKILLS
  • User Interview
  • Questionnaires Collection
  • Online Ethnographic Studies
  • Market Analysis
  • Journey Mapping
  • User Persona Creation
  • UX Flow Mapping
  • UI Prototyping
  • Experience Prototyping
  • Usability Testing
  • A/B Testing
  • Service Blueprint Development


TOOLS


CONTEXT

Empowering Solo-Living Women: Enhancing Safety and Community in Urban China

Trend of Independence
With a significant shift towards independence among urban women aged 18-35, China is witnessing a surge in solo living. This demographic change is highlighted by the projection that 92 million people will be living alone by this year, driven by the desire for a freer and more independent lifestyle.


Starting Points of Solo Living




Stages of Life When Solo Living Begins





Safety and Social ChallengesRecent data indicates that solo-living women face notable safety risks and social isolation, posing challenges that impact their daily lives and broader societal roles. These issues align with global goals like the UN’s SDG 5 for Gender Equality and SDG 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.


Actual Issues



Psychological 
Pressure


Market Need for Innovative Solutions
Recognizing the fragmented and siloed nature of existing solutions in the market, there is a clear and growing demand for innovative services designed specifically for the unique challenges faced by women living alone. This project seeks to develop a comprehensive digital solution that addresses these needs holistically. 




RESEARCH

Exploring Solo-Living Dynamics Through Triangulation



Triangulated Research ApproachTo ensure a comprehensive exploration of the issues faced by solo-living women and to mitigate biases inherent in any single research method, I implemented a triangulated research strategy. This approach combined both qualitative and quantitative methods, allowing for a well-rounded understanding of the complexities and nuances associated with solo living.





Insights into Solo Living




Crafting User Personas

OPPORTUNITY

Transforming Safety and Autonomy for Urban Solo-Living Women






PROBLEM

Solo-living women in urban China often feel unsafe. 


PRINCIPLES
01
Focus on ensuring personal safety to provide peace of mind for solo-living women.

02

Develop local support networks to foster connection and mutual support.

03

Design solutions that empower women's autonomy without imposing restrictions.




How might we use a service design approach to reimagine building supportive social networks and effective self-defense mechanisms that reduce the anxiety and vulnerability of urban solo-living women facing violence and crime?


METRICS

Using the DVF Model to Establish Clear Design Goals











SOLUTION

Empowering Solo-Living Women Through Community Services
Join Me is a digital community service system tailored to address the safety, mutual assistance, and social needs of women living alone. We believe that living alone does not equate to isolation, and ensuring safety should not mean dependence on others.


Integrated Safety Response System
We enhance the personal safety of solo-living women by integrating digital technology with local services to provide real-time emergency assistance, ensuring prompt support and intervention during emergencies.

Localized Support Communities
Our digital platform cultivates a supportive community network by connecting solo-living women within their own neighborhoods through social networks and co-creation forums. This initiative not only alleviates loneliness but also facilitates resource sharing and information exchange.

Community-Driven Autonomy Enhancement
We promote the independent and autonomous development of solo-living women by providing platforms for them to engage in community discussions, share personal experiences, and participate in interactive safety awareness programs.









BLUEPRINT

Crafting "Join Me" as an End-to-End Digital Service

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