Horizon

Q1: What Was the Project's Core Objective and Inspiration?

A1: The Horizon project, embarked upon as part of a university initiative, was deeply rooted in Code for America's civic improvement themes. Our core objective was to design an iOS app using Figma, strictly adhering to Apple's iOS design guidelines. The app, Horizon, was envisioned as a tool to aid former prisoners in their reintegration into society, with a focus on key areas such as employment, housing, and community reconnection. This idea was not just a response to a brief but also a venture into addressing a significant social issue, where technology meets humanitarian needs.

The inspiration for this project was fueled by the complex challenges faced by former prisoners in America, a demographic often overlooked in technology design. A significant influence was the video "How Norway’s Prisons Are Different From America’s" (Flatts et al., 2020), which showcased Norway’s approach to prison systems. Unlike the punitive nature of American prisons, Norway emphasizes rehabilitation and community integration, a philosophy that resonated with our project's goals.

Q2: How Was the Project Brief Structured, and What Inspired Its Direction?

A2: The assignment required us to design an app addressing one of three themes: decarceration, social safety nets, or economic justice. This involved a multi-faceted approach, where we needed to define our target user, understand the tasks and scenarios our app would support, and design experiences that would enable users to achieve their goals. Our deliverables included creating a problem statement, listing potential features, producing hand-drawn app sketches, developing a user journey flow chart, and finalizing a fully interactive mobile iOS Figma prototype. Additionally, conducting usability tests and compiling reports were integral to our process.

My personal motivation was largely driven by the challenges faced by former prisoners in America. The contrast in prison systems, as highlighted in "How Norway’s Prisons Are Different From America’s," was eye-opening. The Norwegian system’s focus on community integration within prisons starkly contrasted with the American system. This revelation was a turning point, guiding us to rethink our approach and place a stronger emphasis on community support in the reintegration process.

Problem Statement:

As they navigate the world outside of prison, formerly incarcerated people are met with restrictions and obstacles that make their attempt at reintegration seem impossible, and are detrimental to millions of American families (Leadership). With limited access to education and health resources, reintegration services, and employment networking and maintenance, almost 45% of people released from Colorado’s prisons are re-incarcerated within three years (Remerg). The formerly incarcerated need a way to locate resources for sustainable employment to make their reintegration successful.

Sources:
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. (2017, March 27). Barriers to Successful Re-Entry of Formerly Incarcerated People. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. https://civilrights.org/resource/barriers-to-successful-re-entry-of-formerly-incarcerated-people/

Remerg. (n.d.). About. Remerge. https://remerg.com/about/

Q3: What Were Your Specific Roles and Challenges in the Design Process?

A3: In the Horizon project, my role was diverse, spanning across various facets of design. My responsibilities included in-depth research, the conceptualization of the app's core features, and the visual design of the app interface. A significant part of my focus was on developing systems within the app that would ensure community safety and moderation. This aspect was crucial for creating an environment conducive to positive reintegration. The systems I designed aimed to monitor and moderate content, ensuring the community remained positive and safe. This included implementing bot comment moderation to identify and offer resources for posts indicating harmful tendencies or suicidal thoughts.

Team collaboration was a cornerstone of our project's success. We held regular meetings to discuss progress, align on our vision, and ensure consistency in visual design across the app. One of the major challenges we faced was ensuring that our individual contributions harmonized with the overall app design and functionality. The decision to pivot from focusing primarily on employment to emphasizing community support was a collective one, driven by our passion and insights gleaned from user research. This shift highlighted the profound impact community support has on reducing recidivism and aiding in the reintegration process.