Project 1 - Dave and Josh Preso

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, I’M YOURS!!!


Example of Ethnographic Observation

Girl 25, Bay and Bloor

• She had to put coffee on the ground, there was also no room for handbags
• Had to use two hands to open letter box
• Used the pull down handle when she only needed to use the slot
• It was a cold day and she wanted protection from the elements
• The movement of the lever handle made a loud industrial noise
• The box was located a busy street
• The girl did not like how the box looked

DESiGN iSSUES

Physical Constraints

• Large parcels cannot be processed
• Height of the box restricts children and people with limited mobility.
• Psychological constraints
• Unfriendly design of box
• Lack of personal interaction

Affordance

• Only items can be put in the box. The lever (like a candy vending machine) ensures that only a Canada Post employee can remove mail.
• Only items of medium size or smaller can fit in the box. If a large item were to be placed in the box, there may be not room left for other people’s letters.
• There is no shelf room to avoid trash building up.

Visibility

• Slot faces sidewalk so users are safe from traffic.
• Bright red colour
• Limited feedback, can include the sound of letter falling on a hard or soft surface.
• Can be hard to find due to lack of signage, especially at night in dark areas.

Mapping

• Slot is at the top of box, this is logical.
• The horizontal bar assumes the the pull out motion.

Solutions derived from Ethnographic Observation

• Add solar panels, much like parking meters, that will power the safety lighting, and other functions.
• An awning to protect people from the elements.
  

• A lower slot for children and people with less mobility
• A vending machine for stamps
• A button that opens the hatch, much like a wheelchair access door
• Scanner within the box that gives items a tracking number… a LED screen will give the user their tracking number and the option to print this number on a receipt.
• Built in scale for pricing items
• Shelf to place hand bags or coffee, writing letters and fill out forms.
• Audio feedback
• “Thank you for using Canada Post”
• “Your mail is being tracked by us, you can also track online. Your payment has been received"
• Visual feedback
• LED screen for pricing, date/time, expected delivery times. Printed receipts
  
• Red light to indicate that the box is full
• Flashing light to indicate the post man is about to arrive
• Visually appealing design, with rounded corners and clearer signage.
• Directional signs on street corners.