TOOLS

Photoshop
Illustrator
Adobe XD
SketchUp

TEAM

Jiawen Xie
Candice Joan Mai Chan
Zina Bazarbashi

ROLE

Research
Branding
App UX UI
Designing machine,
app & collaterals

Chai Ti

System of interactive machines and sensor trash bins, that promote activity that is healthy for the body (Chai Ti) and healthy for the environment (putting trash in the bins).

Question

In a space that is culturally diverse, yet segregated, beautiful yet unkept:
How might we break cultural barriers within the space & promote interaction and healthy activity?

AUDIENCE

The Chai Ti system was designed for all Columbus park goers, a demographic split between Chinese community who frequent the north side of the park, exercising Tai Chi in the early mornings and gambling in the afternoons, and the mostly American families that take their kids to the playground and courts on the south side of the park.

User Interaction

Two types of devices coffee / tea machines were designed: one that uses a chip and another that uses Tai Chi moves as input. One piece of trash placed inside this trash can dispenses one chip, which could be used to get a free coffee at the Chip Chai Ti Machine. This interaction was designed in response to the observed trash that littered the park, despite the multiple bins. Upon speaking to multiple park goers, a concern over the waste that seemed to take away from the space’s beauty.

The second machine relies on a front camera and computer vision as it asks for users to perform a Tai Chi flow in order to get a drink. This interaction was designed to bridge the cultural barrier between the two demographics that frequent the park.

With every drink, a receipt is given providing information about Tai Chi to promote further curiosity.

Research

Primary research began with mapping the space, patterns of movement as well as interviews with the park’s community.

During our site observation, we noticed a disconnect and segregation in the space.
1. Blue zone is generally where the elderly Chinese folks socialise, mostly gambling, gossiping and having a tea.
2. Green zone is mostly populated with children & teens, however used for Tai Chi in the morning.
3. Yellow + Red zones are more often populated with children and their parents, as well as teenagers playing basketball.

North side / Blue Zone:

• Many use the park as a meeting spot for lunch, and tea (literally & figuratively). 

• Adults have lunch in the seating areas. Children have lunch on the field.

• Many of the elderly carry bags of food and buy coffee/tea from a cafe in the northwest corner of the park.
  > This lead us to take up the opportunity of creating a in-park “cafe”, while trying to engage the gambling demographic.

Green Zone:

Besides basketball & soccer, it seems like Tai Chi is traditionally and regularly exercised by the Chinese Elderly during the early mornings.

South Side / Yellow Orange Zone:

• Children between the ages of 10 to 15 play soccer on the field or gather in the playground.

• Many adults group together at the tables for card games or for gambling.

Observed Litter:

• Many traces of left behind cups, rubbish, and newspapers from lunch or breaks
  
  > This insight led us to take up the cleaning of the part as a main goal for this project.

promotional collateral

In order to get people excited about free warm beverages in winter, posters were created to raise awareness of the installment of the Chai Ti machine, leading the way to them.