NYTogether is a web platform that aids recently evicted people navigate their way back into a safe, permanent home.
Inspiration
With the Eviction Moratorium soon coming to an end, this seemed like one of the most pressing issues many citizens of New York will be facing. We also drew inspiration from one of our team member's experience with an intimidating landlord and information deluge. We wanted our app to not only provide reliable resources and facts, but also be a safe haven from the scary and confusing world of New York Housing Laws.
Idea Development
Why did we choose a socioeconomic prompt?
Many reasons arose when we were discussing why we were inclined to choose this prompt. It ranged from our stance on fundamental human rights; people should have access to housing, food, education, and healthcare; and mitigating these issues leads to a better quality of life for all citizens.
How did we narrow down the issue we want to tackle?
This was the process that took the most time but gave us one of the biggest feelings of satisfaction. We each came up with a list of issues and then found similar patterns in our answers.
How did we ensure to design and build for the user?
We created a character; Brenda. We create a Empathy Map and each of us listed what (1) What would she think or feel (e.g. Stressed: "I don't know where to start) (2) What she would hear from the outside world (e.g. "just get a job", knows on the door from and angry landlord) (3) What she would see (e.g a sea of information in the media). 4) What she would say or do (e.g. go on google)
Project Intentions
Research
We all took part in learning about the legal tenant rights and status-quo of NYC rentals. We wanted to display the information in a concise and friendly manner.
UX/UI Design
We created several prototypes and flows so we would ensure the experience to be smooth and avoid the classic information overload from other sites.
Development
We had several plans of attack, and the most compelling was creating an early Natural Language Processing approach. To make out program scalable, it would be best to use a Dictionary / HashMap structure.
What We Learned
- From designers: working with the developers, understanding how our ideas happen behind the scenes.
- Learning Curves:
- From developers: working with designers, being part of the beginning stages of an idea!
- Learning Curves: JavaScrip (we both have strong experience in Python, so we have to quickly skim through tutorials, promptly grasp new information, and ultimately implement the knowledge in a productive way. Although much of the code did not make it to the final cut... we will be taking it with us in our careers)
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