Providing parents the ability to keep themselves and their child safe from school security threats
Preparing parents to deal with school security threats
Accommodating parents to help make schools a safer place
Safety Spotlight Concept at Motorola Solutions
Overview
School safety threats grow in frequency each year, and Motorola Solutions continues to innovate on security technology to protect students and staff. However, there lacks proper communication to parents about what school security technology and processes are in place. They're often times not aware of safety procedures which leads to numerous hazards like driving to a school during an active threat. I designed a platform that keeps parents in-the-loop with school security before, during, and after an active threat.
Role
Product Designer, UX Researcher
Duration
1 week
Empathize
Problem
I started by exploring two reports to learn about current school security challenges.
Motorola Solutions
K-12 School Safety 2023 Survey Report
PEW Research
U.S. School Security Procedures have Become More Widespread in Recent Years but are Still Unevenly Adopted
Parent-school communication falls short
I focused in on how business leaders use the BPF and found that getting practices to employees involved too much heavy lifting.
50%
Not aware of newly implemented security technology
30%
Do not receive live updates during active threats
57%
Cannot submit anonymous tips on potential security threats
Parents Want to Know
How can we be updated and engaged with the community to build trust?
How does the school handle active threats?
Where can I send tips on potential threats anonymously? How do I know if it’s anonymous?
When was security technology last updated?
Does the school use cameras? What kind? Since when?
Does the school have panic buttons for teachers?
Can I get up-to-date announcements from law enforcement and school administration during active threats?
What do I do during an active threat?
How can I help prepare my child for an active threat?
Define
Competitive Analysis
What shape will this feature take?
Webpages
Most parents rely on their school's website to provide any safety information. The main issue with the current system is that it does not integrate easily with SMS, social media, and other ways parents currently communicate.
Rave Panic Button
Teachers currently use Motorola's Rave Mobile Safety App, but this is built for school staff. This solution wouldn't work for parents.
Smaller details
Each phase in the BPF has multiple practices, so I decided to mirror a Product Management tool's stories and issues.
Objective
Create a more effective way for leaders to plan, organize, and distribute gender equality initiatives.
A resourceful Rave Panic Button, but for parents. One platform for parent assurance
Iteration
Integrating throughout the Best Practices Framework
Cards vs. Tables
Practices needed to be updated to reflect the addition of MyPlan. I explored a check-boxed table approach and one where you add and remove cards. Although the table allows for filtering, it proved to be too complicated compared to adding and removing.
MyPlan Details
Most requests asked for the ability to still export their practices as a PDF, so the MyPlan screen went through multiple revisions to reflect functionality important to those who use the feature. I also added enhancements like "return to phase" and "keep exploring" to help users return to exploring practices while inside MyPlan.
Cart Idea
One of the earlier concepts involved a sidebar cart that slid out for MyPlan. We eventually removed the idea as the pattern resembled a shopping cart too much and added confusion.
Testing
Onboarding
After prototyping, the proof of concept went through a few rounds of user testing to ensure refined user journeys.
Small Details
Adding to MyPlan from the Assessment
Early concepts of Onboarding Results had a 'suggested reading' below answers to the assessment. Later, we incorporated the practices into the answers for a more streamlined appearance and added the ability to add all suggestions.
Launch
My Plan
For developer handoff and product launch, I created a comprehensive and responsive high fidelity prototype.
Assessment
The length and result of the assessment was determined through usability testing where we found a comprehensive quiz and actionable results page made the most sense.
Assessment in Progress
Assessment Results
Integrated
Practices are easily added and removed throughout the Framework.
Style Guide
I compiled the BPF into a cohesive style and identity for the Best Practices Framework to be used in desktop, mobile, presentation, and other media.
Design System
The Best Practices Framework was added to Engendering Industries' existing design system, which I also led. I was responsible for creating the overarching site's comprehensive and responsive design system. It involved 0-to-1 identity, designing styles for all template pages, and delegating tasks to graphic designers.
Reflection
For my first major product release, I held the majority of responsibility for design. I realized understanding the BPF was crucial for change, and how important simply reading it and meeting with its authors can be. I learned when to be firm and confident while presenting to stakeholders, something that will continue throughout my career. I also learned to trust my coworkers; this MVP would not have been released without collaboration from other designers and members on my team.
In 2024, we transformed the BPF into a digital product and re-imagined how leaders organize and share these resources with employees. I received support and guidance from my Creative Director, CEO, Director of Project Management, and the entirety of the client's team. I took on many unfamiliar challenges in this project and am thankful for all the help I received!
Providing parents the ability to keep themselves and their child safe from school security threats
Preparing parents to deal with school security threats
Accommodating parents to help make schools a safer place
Safety Spotlight Concept at Motorola Solutions
Overview
School safety threats grow in frequency each year, and Motorola Solutions continues to innovate on security technology to protect students and staff. However, there lacks proper communication to parents about what school security technology and processes are in place. They're often times not aware of safety procedures which leads to numerous hazards like driving to a school during an active threat. I designed a platform that keeps parents in-the-loop with school security before, during, and after an active threat.
Role
Product Designer, UX Researcher
Duration
1 week
Empathize
Problem
I started by exploring two reports to learn about current school security challenges.
Motorola Solutions
K-12 School Safety 2023 Survey Report
PEW Research
U.S. School Security Procedures have Become More Widespread in Recent Years but are Still Unevenly Adopted
Parent-school communication falls short
I focused in on how business leaders use the BPF and found that getting practices to employees involved too much heavy lifting.
50%
Not aware of newly implemented security technology
30%
Do not receive live updates during active threats
57%
Cannot submit anonymous tips on potential security threats
Parents Want to Know
How can we be updated and engaged with the community to build trust?
How does the school handle active threats?
Where can I send tips on potential threats anonymously? How do I know if it’s anonymous?
When was security technology last updated?
Does the school use cameras? What kind? Since when?
Does the school have panic buttons for teachers?
Can I get up-to-date announcements from law enforcement and school administration during active threats?
What do I do during an active threat?
How can I help prepare my child for an active threat?
Define
Competitive Analysis
What shape will this feature take?
Webpages
Most parents rely on their school's website to provide any safety information. The main issue with the current system is that it does not integrate easily with SMS, social media, and other ways parents currently communicate.
Rave Panic Button
Teachers currently use Motorola's Rave Mobile Safety App, but this is built for school staff. This solution wouldn't work for parents.
Smaller details
Each phase in the BPF has multiple practices, so I decided to mirror a Product Management tool's stories and issues.
Objective
Create a more effective way for leaders to plan, organize, and distribute gender equality initiatives.
A resourceful Rave Panic Button, but for parents. One platform for parent assurance
Iteration
Integrating throughout the Best Practices Framework
Cards vs. Tables
Practices needed to be updated to reflect the addition of MyPlan. I explored a check-boxed table approach and one where you add and remove cards. Although the table allows for filtering, it proved to be too complicated compared to adding and removing.
MyPlan Details
Most requests asked for the ability to still export their practices as a PDF, so the MyPlan screen went through multiple revisions to reflect functionality important to those who use the feature. I also added enhancements like "return to phase" and "keep exploring" to help users return to exploring practices while inside MyPlan.
Cart Idea
One of the earlier concepts involved a sidebar cart that slid out for MyPlan. We eventually removed the idea as the pattern resembled a shopping cart too much and added confusion.
Testing
Onboarding
After prototyping, the proof of concept went through a few rounds of user testing to ensure refined user journeys.
Small Details
Adding to MyPlan from the Assessment
Early concepts of Onboarding Results had a 'suggested reading' below answers to the assessment. Later, we incorporated the practices into the answers for a more streamlined appearance and added the ability to add all suggestions.
Launch
My Plan
For developer handoff and product launch, I created a comprehensive and responsive high fidelity prototype.
Assessment
The length and result of the assessment was determined through usability testing where we found a comprehensive quiz and actionable results page made the most sense.
Assessment in Progress
Assessment Results
Integrated
Practices are easily added and removed throughout the Framework.
Style Guide
I compiled the BPF into a cohesive style and identity for the Best Practices Framework to be used in desktop, mobile, presentation, and other media.
Design System
The Best Practices Framework was added to Engendering Industries' existing design system, which I also led. I was responsible for creating the overarching site's comprehensive and responsive design system. It involved 0-to-1 identity, designing styles for all template pages, and delegating tasks to graphic designers.
Reflection
For my first major product release, I held the majority of responsibility for design. I realized understanding the BPF was crucial for change, and how important simply reading it and meeting with its authors can be. I learned when to be firm and confident while presenting to stakeholders, something that will continue throughout my career. I also learned to trust my coworkers; this MVP would not have been released without collaboration from other designers and members on my team.
In 2024, we transformed the BPF into a digital product and re-imagined how leaders organize and share these resources with employees. I received support and guidance from my Creative Director, CEO, Director of Project Management, and the entirety of the client's team. I took on many unfamiliar challenges in this project and am thankful for all the help I received!