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Ideation, Initial Research

After tutoring a class at UQ, another tutor (Sam) and I were discussing our goals in life for being more self-sufficient and living 'off-grid.' Sam had mentioned some ideas for presenting information on the topic in Youtube videos, focusing on simple aesthetics and clean design, and I felt like having a well designed place online to collect, archive, and discuss would help him and others wanting to change how they live.

Recently we've had discussions about ethical design, the future, and what we value as designers. After bouncing around ideas and brainstorming features for this project, we landed on some basic constraints and goals that give us design challenges for now and into the future. For now it may be web based, but future plans include dedicated hardware with a usability and privacy focus, including new ways to control access through encryption used outside a RF or electricity based signal.

We've started on a fairly typical human centred design process for the project, and here I'll describe some of the basics, including goals, ethical concerns, and intended users.

Simple Description

The project is basically a forum and archive of information about living 'off-grid' and trying to become more self-sufficient in many areas of life. Privacy and encryption are a big focus, to give users control over their own information. Discussion and debate are encouraged, and a high-trust environment formed around users of common interests is the goal. A big focus is on showing process/progress, to help others learn along with each other. 

Ethics

For the designers: Designed to benefit individuals, ethically designed with the greater outcomes of such a system in mind.

Regardless of political opinions, there is a group of people who want to improve their world (and maybe be the change they want to see). Through sharing of ideas and discussion, in a private environment of high-trust, this group can learn and share without the usual bullshit that comes with interactions online (namely the environment of FB groups, privacy violations, lack of user control of data). 

Rejection of the current system in one way or another is a common core of users, and sharing and learning practical, varied, and versatile techniques to change/leave this world are the goal.

For Lack of a Better Term: 'Keywords and Important Ideas'

  • Privacy
  • Diversity of thought/opinion
  • DIY
  • Self-sufficiency
  • (Design/learning) Process
  • Fast (in website loading speed etc)
  • Easy to follow and learn from
  • Avoid FOMO (where it makes sense)
  • Valuable content (limited shitposting)
  • Lone-wolf types coming together

Users

Basically, people who want to separate themselves from the shitty side of modern life by becoming more selfsufficient, sharing their skills, and developing new skills.

People with desire to improve their world starting with their own situation.​


Target User Interview

I interviewed a friend who is one of the intended users of the project as part of the initial research.

He is a bit of a traditionalist and is incredibly smart. He's studying microbiology after studying physics earlier, and he has a lot of interest in biology and chemistry relating to food and the human body. He's a family man, and is interested in protecting himself and his family from the nasty parts of modern life, in particular plastics and under-researched chemicals in materials and food.

  • Facts driven
  • Open to debate
  • Very much ok with the increased effort of DIY

Currently uses bookmarks in a browser to organise information. He also gets information from Youtube and a few books. He has been part of a health forum for a long time and appreciates the tight community. He thinks a forum (like the project) would be fun, and he likes the idea of being able to learn from stuff other people are doing. More importantly he is keen to have more exposure to more information on the topic, it would keep up his enthusiasm and keep the subject in the front of his mind.

He thought a big FB group he joined would be a good place to discuss and share info he found, but he didn't like the guys in the group very much, so he didn't see much worth in sharing anything. He felt like if he posted anything he'd get shot down 'Because 1) they're assholes and 2) it wasn't a dedicated space for that kind of thing so you don't get the acceptance of opinion that you find on a single-topic forum.' He doesn't think it's really important if someone agrees with him, but he likes if the thread stays on topic 'so we can reach and answer eventually.' He thinks a mix of discussion and information sharing would be best.

Suggested features:

  • Many pictures per post
  • Strong search function
  • User content collected on user profiles. Visit user profile -> easily see their posts

Sam is also helping with initial research and ideation of the project, and I will include his comments in the next update.

Decorative flamingo