T-Swap

Harvard Graduate School of Design

T-Swap is an integrated real-time virtual interface that allows people to share their skills and fully utilize their productivity potential.

Team: Angela Garbelli (Onsite), NidaMian and Chang Xiang

THE PREMISE:

Every individual is an asset. Be it young, old, physically disabled, or unemployed, every person is equal and can contribute to their society by sharing their unique assets, i.e skills. T-swap allows individuals to seek what they need from society and connects them to others who may be offering that particular skill all in real time. A user could potentially log on to an app, website or simply via text, and get real-time geo-mapped data of those willing to offer those particular skills within their vicinity at that particular time. The two individuals can then connect and set up their own terms for the “skill exchange.”

The concept behind T-swap is to go back to the basics and change this medium of exchange. We believe that everyone regardless of his or her economic status has the right to eat well, sleep well, and learn more. Most importantly, everyone has the right to feel like they are a part of a community; with or without money.

MY ROLE:

Concept development with the team, video production and editing, user research, analysis, the key person for design and prototypes for mobile app design, and marvel mockups.

VIDEO:

Edited using Adobe AfterEffects

PROBLEMS: The City is becoming increasingly diverse as immigrant proportions are steadily increasing from other parts of Europe and Asia. Moreover, the city has an aging population that currently functions as a microcosm of the larger society. It is important to view the entire city as a community and socially include such aforementioned minority groups. Everyone has something to offer and something they want to learn, there is no platform to do this. The vision of T-swap looks to bridge these communal gaps and help Bergamo become one cohesive community that is highly skilled.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Aging population of the city.

Groups from varying economic brackets.

Target minority groups, including elderly, physically disabled, unemployed and students to be active citizens whereby enhancing the city’s social culture.

USER RESEARCH:

PERSONA:

Personal Interviews

Name: Mr. Antonio

Profession: Doctor

Age: 57

Wants to teach: Nursing

Wants to learn: English

Name: Maria

Profession: School Teacher

Age: 59

Wants to teach: Italian Literature, Latin, History

Wants to learn: Travel Planning

Name: Mauro

Profession: Retired

Age: 61

Wants to teach: Accounting knowledge, gardening

Wants to learn: car and machines maintenance

Name: Thomas

Profession: salesperson for a videogame shop

Age: 33

Wants to teach: Eletrician skills, videogames knowledge

Wants to learn: Japenese

Name: Tania

Profession: Cook

Age: 25

Wants to teach: Baking

Wants to learn: Hair styling

Name: Giulia

Profession: Student

Age: 23

Wants to teach: Spanish

Wants to learn: Computer language

KEY OBSERVATION:

These observations were not considered before the interviews and helped towards the betterment of the project.

Most people who were interviewed were very interested in exchanging skills and time. Some of their main concern was the lack of physical space in the city to carry out this exchange and digital interface to find availability of these spaces.
People also seem interesting in getting reviews and recommendations of the individual they are about to have this exchange with.