companion

A third-party advocacy service that supports underserved commuters—pregnant women, children, the elderly, and the disabled. companion relies on a simple visual vocabulary to communicate specific needs while traveling. proposed as an interim solution to commuter apathy and subway inaccessibility, companion advocates for those who need it most.

senior thesis at parsons school of design

the apathetic social climate of the New York city subway
for some riders, it is difficult to access a seat, space, and assistance

target issues

generate empathy among commuters
advocate for underserved riders: pregnant women, children, the elderly, the disabled
equalize access to seats, space, and assistance

objectives

questions

are commuters able and willing to change their behavior?  
will advocacy for underserved commuters result in stigmatization?
can a visual system act as an agent of change?

solution

companion: A third-party advocacy service that supports commuters who need specific and reliable accommodations. companion provides the following assets for qualifying, underserved persons:

resource box: a comprehensive resource kit to secure subway accessibility

print advertising: in-subway advertisements to educate commuters about companion's visual system and services

website & app: access to program information and membership

 
 

process work:
companion icons

 
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brainstorming: mind-mapping, note-taking, and collaboration

brainstorming:
mind-mapping, note-taking, and collaboration

prototype 01: booklet exploring the tenets of line, shape, color, and form

prototype 01: booklet

exploring the tenets of line, shape, color, and form

prototype 02a: playing pieces users were given a bag of playing pieces, a velcro board, and a call to action. users were then asked to combine shapes — differentiated by color, line, and form — to visualize expressions like look! emergency! help

prototype 02a: playing pieces

users were given a bag of playing pieces, a velcro board, and a call to action. users were then asked to combine shapes — differentiated by color, line, and form — to visualize expressions like look! emergency! help!

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prototype 02B: user-testing and response a user emphasizes high-contrast shapes, lines, and colors to express the call to action, look! polled results were used to develop companion’s visual vocabulary and badge system.

prototype 02B: user-testing and response

a user emphasizes high-contrast shapes, lines, and colors to express the call to action, look! polled results were used to develop companion’s visual vocabulary and badge system.