HAPPY HOUSING PUZZLE

Design Brief

The "Happy Housing" puzzle is designed to " Get help when they need it" to provide housing information for vulnerable groups, thereby alleviating the financial burden caused by the prolonged waiting times for social housing. This game not only raises awareness about the financial pressures faced by vulnerable groups due to extended waiting periods for social housing but also provides a platform for individuals to participate in assisting these disadvantaged communities. It serves as a timely resource for vulnerable groups to access housing opportunities. Ultimately, this puzzle game platform facilitates a balanced housing supply for the disadvantaged, creating a channel for their housing needs.

Project Type

Tools

UX & UI

Figma, Canva

Design Process

The design process is guided by the double diamond structure.

Mind Mapping

By studying the main research question: "How might we reduce cost of living pressures for people in Australia?", we created a mind map to determine the direction and key points of future work. Finally, we positioned the topic on the housing or rental issues of vulnerable groups in Australia.

Background Research

We found that social housing policy in Australia is designed by the state and government to meet the housing needs of low- and middle-income people and disadvantaged groups (Homesnorth). However, continued increases in the number of priority applicants and insufficient housing resources have resulted in waiting times of between 2 and 10 years (NSW Government). In addition, the criteria for applying for social housing are quite strict, including that applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, have an income within the eligibility range, have no habitable assets, be able to maintain a tenancy without the need for support, and be at least 18 years old. (NSW Government). The number of social housing units will decrease by 11% in 2023 after the government transfers management of the existing public housing stock to community housing organizations (Australian Government).

Problem Space

How can we design an interactive game that guides the public's attention to this issue in a fun and engaging way, while providing these vulnerable groups with a channel for timely feedback when they need help?

Summary

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Through in-depth analysis of the problem space, user pain points, and user needs, we devised a series of design opportunities and solutions. In response to the pain points of vulnerable groups’ life pressure, rental pressure, and education and employment restrictions, we propose design opportunities for rapid matching and allocation of housing resources, flexible housing solutions, and finding partners. Corresponding solutions include innovative applications, streamlined processes and enhanced community engagement. The solution we designed aims to increase public awareness and understanding of social housing issues through an interactive puzzle game, while providing a platform for vulnerable people to seek help, thereby reducing their rental and health costs. Furthermore, these design principles – participatory, minimalist, efficient, inclusive, privacy-preserving and human-centered – ensure the scheme’s broad applicability and sustainability. Through this design idea, we hope to better meet user needs, including shortening the time to apply for housing, providing housing resources that meet needs, and ensuring that housing affordability is within the user's financial ability. This will not only improve the efficiency of the allocation of social housing resources, but also improve the quality of life of vulnerable groups and promote the overall well-being of society.

Interview

Interviews detail a preliminary study of the impact of housing issues on disadvantaged groups in Australia. The purpose of the research was to gather first-hand information about how housing stress affects the lives of these groups. To this end, we conducted an on-site investigation at Broadway Shopping Center in Sydney in April 2023. Our team is equipped with mobile phones, A4 paper, pens, microphones and other tools, and uses the SID method (Subjective Interview Design) to ensure that we can collect high-quality data.

Our conclusions highlight the need to promote cross-sector collaboration to increase investment in affordable housing and promote a virtuous cycle of support. We also call on NGOs, charities and community groups to get involved to ensure low-income families and people with disabilities have access to the housing they need. The entire research process not only demonstrated our systematic approach to data collection, but also demonstrated our team's deep understanding and commitment to social impact design.

User Journey Map

Persona

Ideation & Iteration

Idea 1 - The Gate of Home

An interactive street art event where people interact by being guided through the doors.

People who are finally determined to be the target group of our design will receive a coin, and after putting the coin into the gashapon machine, they will get the contact information of volunteers who are willing to provide the room.

Idea 2 - Rainbow Stages

An advertisement-We will post some interrogative sentences about vulnerable groups on the steps of some large event venues to draw attention,

and there will be a QR code at the end of the steps for volunteers to register and obtain accommodation.

Idea 3 - Homesaver

Interactive activities on the street. It rolls like a Ferris wheel, with tiny houses on top of which live the miserable conditions of the homeless and vulnerable.

In the middle of the wheel is a QR code, which collects information that volunteers are willing to provide to provide housing.

Idea 4 - Housing Puzzle

An interactive touch-screen puzzle game set in public places, each puzzle is related to vulnerable groups who are under pressure from housing costs. After people complete the puzzle, two QR codes will appear, one becomes a volunteer for providing rooms,

and the other is used to Provide volunteer contact information to vulnerable people looking for housing.

Iteration 1

Iteration 2

Iteration 3

a.Brainstorming

b.Sketching

c.Peer Review & Voting

d.Decision Making

a.Think-aloud Method

b.Develop Design Details

c.Co-design & Voting

d.Storyboard

e.Scenarios

a.Low-fi Prototype

b.Think-aloud

c.Refinement

d.High-fi prototype

e.User test & Outcome

Final Design

Final Video

Reflection

My role within the Happy Housing Mystery project centered around the design and implementation of the final concept video and the creation of comprehensive concept visuals. The project aims to address the significant issue of long waiting times for social housing in Australia, particularly on disadvantaged groups, by integrating interactive puzzle games into public awareness and engagement strategies.

When creating the final concept video, I was tasked with visually capturing the essence of how our interactive puzzle game could alleviate the financial burden these groups face. This involves translating the complex dynamics of social housing and the benefits of our solutions into a clear, compelling narrative that is easy to understand and appeals to a broad audience. The video was created not only to inform but also to evoke empathy and move viewers to action, emphasizing the interactive nature of the game and its potential to promote timely housing opportunities.

The concept visuals I developed played a crucial role in illustrating the user journey and effectiveness of each proposed design iteration. From initial sketches to final high-fidelity prototypes, my visuals provide a clear progression path for projects, helping team members and stakeholders better understand and communicate project goals. These visuals helped refine our ideas through various stages of ideation, iteration, and user testing, ensuring that every aspect of the user interface was optimized for accessibility, engagement, and impact.

My contribution was crucial in ensuring that the visual and interactive elements of the project were not only beautiful, but functionally effective in engaging users and promoting wider social impact goals through design. The successful integration of UX and UI principles into this project demonstrates our commitment to creating solutions that are both innovative and sensitive to the needs of vulnerable populations. This experience greatly enhanced my skills in visual storytelling and user-centered design, reinforcing the importance of empathy and precision when developing solutions to complex social problems.