CPH MEET-UPs | A Service for newcomers in Copenhagen | Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design 2015 In collaboration with International House | Team: Shruti KNR,Sierra Nelmes, Kare Magnus Solvag,John F
Designing a service to connect newcomers and residents in Copenhagen, by Meet-Ups.
CPH Meet-ups is a service connecting newcomers who recently arrived in Copenhagen with the residents ; in order to weave supportive and personal network connections into the process of immigration.It facilitates a network of support and guidance by connecting people and establishing cross-cultural networks. The users, who connect and create experiences through the mobile app, create the value of the service.
The service emerged out of a research during speculative work of "Global Identity" . The project was carried out with International House. The goal of the project is integrating identity and social meaning into the social fabric of the city by utilising big sets of data.
Making the city smarter through smart citizens.
More hosts have signed up to participate in the existing, yet struggling, Cultural Host program of the International House compared to the sparse number of incoming newcomers who have signed up to receive a culture host through the existing program.
During the second two weeks, key research findings revealed that Copenhageners are interested and willing to help international newcomers through the process of integrating into Copenhagen culture.
OPPORTUNITY AREA
Newcomers to Copenhagen had to face different stages in moving to a country. It begins from there home country to settling in and integrating with the local culture. During this integration process ,our research findings revealed there is a critical point where many newcomers experience isolation. This critical point presented a valuable design opportunity to the team.
DIRECTIONS
Currently, the International House was seen as a centre for acquiring access to basic necessities like personal registration number used both by newcomers and residents. Tapping on the connections, knowledge and cultural exchange both the newcomer and resident might have, International House was seen as a platform for that.
We focussed on instigating communication and facilitating meetings between newcomers to Copenhagen and citizens.
LEARNINGS
However, we quickly learnt that newcomers were directed towards tourism rather than things to do for basic living.
The locals did show initiative but it faded pretty quickly as there was only single mode of communication.
We further elaborated on this as we realised a lot of locals were ready to assist newcomers in knowing more about the city.
EXPERIENCE PROTOTYPES
1. One of our prototype included enacting a culture host who would connect locals to the (acting) newcomer.
2. Our second experience prototype, was sharing a "Culture Host" card and asking locals to recommend to a friend.
3. Another prototype was building a network of newcomers ; as newcomers were not just immigrants but also people from other parts of Denmark.
TOUCHPOINTS
SERVICE
- The international newcomers learn of the service through online searches of immigration to Denmark or in-person marketing material at the International House.
- At the point of visa acceptance, the user soon receives a tangible Welcome Package from the International House with material to outline the service. This contains information about what needs and expectations exist from the International House for immigration processing once the newcomer has arrived in Copenhagen.
- The newcomer can begin to create connections with hosts through meet-up events prior to arrival, upon arrival, or after arrival in Copenhagen.
‘CPH Meetups’ is a service that belongs to the International House and provides several touch points throughout the immigration process.
The service improves the immigration experience for newcomers, the International House, and the citizens of Copenhagen by creating a smooth transition and soft landing into Denmark while executing the goals of the International House.
On a micro level, value lies in the personal guidance provided by the host and, subsequently, a smoother integration into Copenhagen culture and social life. On a macro level, the International House and citizens of Copenhagen can trust that newcomers are thus better informed and supported during integration into the city. The users, who connect and create experiences through the mobile app, create the value of the service.
The first level paper prototype of the application
Below is final click through prototype that was tested with the users
A Service Blueprint which shows the different touchpoints. Large version is here
LEARNINGS through the project
The project was taken from a speculative to a more practical approach.The project took shape only by valuable inputs , user tests at different stages, workshops and experience prototypes which was made possible by 40+ users involved in the tests.