Design Project 3
For Innovation and Human Values in Design (ME313), I'm working on DP3. We're supposed to study waiting rooms and identify latent needs for new products at either the doctor/dentist, the car wash, or the DMV.

I'm working on the DMV, and am focussing on teenagers getting their first license. It's this exciting day for a teenager, but they have to go through the hell of the DMV in order to get their freedom. Where during the waiting process can something fit in?

My first prototype (to be tested tomorrow - joy, another day at the DMV) is a "new driver kit". The way it works is you either wait a long time or not at all (appt), in chairs, and wait for your number to be called. Then you go, hand in your form, pay money, and get directed to other lines (for your picture, to take the test, to have the test graded, and if you pass, to take the eye test, and then get your interim license). The thing about these lines is that you don't sit in a chair, and no one seems to do anything in them. They're long enough to be annoying, but short enough to think that you shouldn't pull out a book, your pda, your cell phone, etc.

So, where my kit comes in is that after you pay your money, you get a new driver kit to look through while you wait in the standing lines. Inside (currently) is:

How to change a tire

How to check your oil

A DMV keychain with a little tile game built in

A list of things you should do if you're in an acccident, and information to collect

A disposable camera for taking pictures if you're in an accident

A single use ArmorAll pack

An air freshener

An area map

A coupon for a free car wash at a local car wash

...etc

We'll see what the folks getting their license tomorrow think. Any thoughts?

The point of the assignment (I think) is more to get you going through the observation process and prototype-iterate cycle, more than creating something truly unique and exciting. At least, I hope so.  ¶ 11:02 PM