Buoy
Buoy
Buoy
2024 Capstone & Thesis
2024 Capstone & Thesis
2024 Capstone & Thesis
Date
Spring 2024
Date
Spring 2024
Date
Spring 2024
What I Did
Branding, App Design & Prototyping, Motion Design, Exhibition Design
What I Did
Branding, App Design & Prototyping, Motion Design, Exhibition Design
What I Did
Branding, App Design & Prototyping, Motion Design, Exhibition Design
Buoy empowers civilians to take on volunteer search-and-rescue during natural disasters in their community.
Born out of my experiences of hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, Buoy is a search-and-rescue app that streamlines the connection of civilians to volunteers, federal, or civilian aid during water-related natural disasters—all in one place.
At the conclusion of my Capstone, I presented Buoy in an exhibition showcase and at an academic poster viewing.
View Full Case Study
Buoy empowers civilians to take on volunteer search-and-rescue during natural disasters in their community.
Born out of my experiences of hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, Buoy is a search-and-rescue app that streamlines the connection of civilians to volunteers, federal, or civilian aid during water-related natural disasters—all in one place.
At the conclusion of my Capstone, I presented Buoy in an exhibition showcase and at an academic poster viewing.
View Full Case Study
Buoy empowers civilians to take on volunteer search-and-rescue during natural disasters in their community.
Born out of my experiences of hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, Buoy is a search-and-rescue app that streamlines the connection of civilians to volunteers, federal, or civilian aid during water-related natural disasters—all in one place.
At the conclusion of my Capstone, I presented Buoy in an exhibition showcase and at an academic poster viewing.
View Full Case Study
Introduction
Growing up in South Louisiana, I experienced my fair share of hurricanes and floods. In these disasters federal aid can't save everyone, people must rely on their friends, family, and even strangers to rescue them from floodwaters. My own experiences in Lousiana's 2016 and observing Hurricane Harvey's destruction in Texas (2017) inspired this project.
Problem
Almost 99.9% of search-and-rescue in the U.S. is done by volunteers, according Chris Boyer the Executive Director at the National Association for Search and Rescue. Unfortunately, disorganization and lack of communication between civilian search and rescue groups waste valuable time when people could be rescued.
Solution
Throughout 12 weeks, I aimed to create a design solution that was a personable, communal approach to disaster response. My project, Buoy, directly connects people who need to be rescued to civilian rescuers in their local community and uses community reports to keep disaster information up to date.
Design Process
Minimal Design
To limit adding any more stress to emergency situations, Buoy's simple, clean design uses minimal color and images.
Syncing with Photo Settings
To reduce steps that Rescuers and Rescuees have to go through, Buoy prompts users to allow access to their phone's accounts — like Apple ID's.
Get Rescued
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuee
Keep Your Rescuer in the Loop
If your rescue emergency isn't immediately life-threatening, Buoy pushes Rescuees to input specific information about their situation to help Rescuers understand their circumstances.
Collecting Rescuee Emergency Information
In the case of a life-or-death scenario, Buoy prompts the Rescuee to call 911 for official services. After contacting EMS, Buoy sends out a "SOS" alert to its civilian rescuers and brings Rescuees back on track for waiting for a rescuer.
Stay Up-to-Date with Live Weather and Rescue Alerts
While Rescuees wait for their Rescuer, they can view and receive notifications about their emergency or nearby rescues.
Waiting for Rescuer…
Buoy also informs Rescuees how to signal their need to rescue if they lose cell service or their phone dies. In the case of no cell service, Buoy will push the user to launch system SOS software — such as Apple Emergency SOS — if their device supports it.
Helping Rescue
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuer
Organizing Rescue Requests
To reduce mental load about picking Rescuees, only 3 rescue requests are visible at once. Once the Rescuer fulfills a rescue request or a request is canceled, then a new request will become visible.
Rescuer Maps & Rescuee Information
Community Updated Rescuer Maps
Rescuers can choose to customize their map to show certain layers, add emergency alerts and notifications, or confirm alerts created by other Rescuers.
Rescuer Map Modifications & Alerts
Rescuer Directions Map
Prioritizing Audio Messaging
Since many Rescuers won't be able to type out a text message because of time or having their hands occupied, Buoy's design offers an emphasis on voice messages, with their button size and location, over traditional text messages.
Coordinate with Other Rescuers
Rescuers can communicate with their own rescuer group or unknown rescuers nearby — like a proximity chat.
Rescuer Channels & Chat
Live Activities
Watch Faces
Although they weren't a part of the project's original scope, I did a visual exploration of digital watch faces since many Buoy user won't have both hands available to operate the app.
Thesis Presentation Poster
23" x 36" on Posterboard
Exhibition
To keep the exhibition wall interactive, I designed the space to display varying heights of floodlines and storm surges. Viewers could stand in front or against the wall to see much underwater they'd be during certain flood events.
Introduction
Growing up in South Louisiana, I experienced my fair share of hurricanes and floods. In these disasters federal aid can't save everyone, people must rely on their friends, family, and even strangers to rescue them from floodwaters. My own experiences in Lousiana's 2016 and observing Hurricane Harvey's destruction in Texas (2017) inspired this project.
Problem
Almost 99.9% of search-and-rescue in the U.S. is done by volunteers, according Chris Boyer the Executive Director at the National Association for Search and Rescue. Unfortunately, disorganization and lack of communication between civilian search and rescue groups waste valuable time when people could be rescued.
Solution
Throughout 12 weeks, I aimed to create a design solution that was a personable, communal approach to disaster response. My project, Buoy, directly connects people who need to be rescued to civilian rescuers in their local community and uses community reports to keep disaster information up to date.
Design Process
Minimal Design
To limit adding any more stress to emergency situations, Buoy's simple, clean design uses minimal color and images.
Syncing with Photo Settings
To reduce steps that Rescuers and Rescuees have to go through, Buoy prompts users to allow access to their phone's accounts — like Apple ID's.
Get Rescued
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuee
Keep Your Rescuer in the Loop
If your rescue emergency isn't immediately life-threatening, Buoy pushes Rescuees to input specific information about their situation to help Rescuers understand their circumstances.
Collecting Rescuee Emergency Information
In the case of a life-or-death scenario, Buoy prompts the Rescuee to call 911 for official services. After contacting EMS, Buoy sends out a "SOS" alert to its civilian rescuers and brings Rescuees back on track for waiting for a rescuer.
Stay Up-to-Date with Live Weather and Rescue Alerts
While Rescuees wait for their Rescuer, they can view and receive notifications about their emergency or nearby rescues.
Waiting for Rescuer…
Buoy also informs Rescuees how to signal their need to rescue if they lose cell service or their phone dies. In the case of no cell service, Buoy will push the user to launch system SOS software — such as Apple Emergency SOS — if their device supports it.
Helping Rescue
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuer
Organizing Rescue Requests
To reduce mental load about picking Rescuees, only 3 rescue requests are visible at once. Once the Rescuer fulfills a rescue request or a request is canceled, then a new request will become visible.
Rescuer Maps & Rescuee Information
Community Updated Rescuer Maps
Rescuers can choose to customize their map to show certain layers, add emergency alerts and notifications, or confirm alerts created by other Rescuers.
Rescuer Map Modifications & Alerts
Rescuer Directions Map
Prioritizing Audio Messaging
Since many Rescuers won't be able to type out a text message because of time or having their hands occupied, Buoy's design offers an emphasis on voice messages, with their button size and location, over traditional text messages.
Coordinate with Other Rescuers
Rescuers can communicate with their own rescuer group or unknown rescuers nearby — like a proximity chat.
Rescuer Channels & Chat
Live Activities
Watch Faces
Although they weren't a part of the project's original scope, I did a visual exploration of digital watch faces since many Buoy user won't have both hands available to operate the app.
Thesis Presentation Poster
23" x 36" on Posterboard
Exhibition
To keep the exhibition wall interactive, I designed the space to display varying heights of floodlines and storm surges. Viewers could stand in front or against the wall to see much underwater they'd be during certain flood events.
Introduction
Growing up in South Louisiana, I experienced my fair share of hurricanes and floods. In these disasters federal aid can't save everyone, people must rely on their friends, family, and even strangers to rescue them from floodwaters. My own experiences in Lousiana's 2016 and observing Hurricane Harvey's destruction in Texas (2017) inspired this project.
Problem
Almost 99.9% of search-and-rescue in the U.S. is done by volunteers, according Chris Boyer the Executive Director at the National Association for Search and Rescue. Unfortunately, disorganization and lack of communication between civilian search and rescue groups waste valuable time when people could be rescued.
Solution
Throughout 12 weeks, I aimed to create a design solution that was a personable, communal approach to disaster response. My project, Buoy, directly connects people who need to be rescued to civilian rescuers in their local community and uses community reports to keep disaster information up to date.
Design Process
Minimal Design
To limit adding any more stress to emergency situations, Buoy's simple, clean design uses minimal color and images.
Syncing with Photo Settings
To reduce steps that Rescuers and Rescuees have to go through, Buoy prompts users to allow access to their phone's accounts — like Apple ID's.
Get Rescued
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuee
Keep Your Rescuer in the Loop
If your rescue emergency isn't immediately life-threatening, Buoy pushes Rescuees to input specific information about their situation to help Rescuers understand their circumstances.
Collecting Rescuee Emergency Information
In the case of a life-or-death scenario, Buoy prompts the Rescuee to call 911 for official services. After contacting EMS, Buoy sends out a "SOS" alert to its civilian rescuers and brings Rescuees back on track for waiting for a rescuer.
Stay Up-to-Date with Live Weather and Rescue Alerts
While Rescuees wait for their Rescuer, they can view and receive notifications about their emergency or nearby rescues.
Waiting for Rescuer…
Buoy also informs Rescuees how to signal their need to rescue if they lose cell service or their phone dies. In the case of no cell service, Buoy will push the user to launch system SOS software — such as Apple Emergency SOS — if their device supports it.
Helping Rescue
Go through a rescue scenario as a Rescuer
Organizing Rescue Requests
To reduce mental load about picking Rescuees, only 3 rescue requests are visible at once. Once the Rescuer fulfills a rescue request or a request is canceled, then a new request will become visible.
Rescuer Maps & Rescuee Information
Community Updated Rescuer Maps
Rescuers can choose to customize their map to show certain layers, add emergency alerts and notifications, or confirm alerts created by other Rescuers.
Rescuer Map Modifications & Alerts
Rescuer Directions Map
Prioritizing Audio Messaging
Since many Rescuers won't be able to type out a text message because of time or having their hands occupied, Buoy's design offers an emphasis on voice messages, with their button size and location, over traditional text messages.
Coordinate with Other Rescuers
Rescuers can communicate with their own rescuer group or unknown rescuers nearby — like a proximity chat.
Rescuer Channels & Chat
Live Activities
Watch Faces
Although they weren't a part of the project's original scope, I did a visual exploration of digital watch faces since many Buoy user won't have both hands available to operate the app.
Thesis Presentation Poster
23" x 36" on Posterboard
Exhibition
To keep the exhibition wall interactive, I designed the space to display varying heights of floodlines and storm surges. Viewers could stand in front or against the wall to see much underwater they'd be during certain flood events.
Still lookin'?
:)
© Ella Balhoff 2024