BEACON project -Arianna

 

 BEACON


Summary of Brief:

The overall goal is to create a digital PRODUCT in the form of a Web/App (Website which is mobile enabled) that will provide users with useful and relevant information in the event of a crisis caused by weather, act of God or political disturbance. PLEASE NOTE- You are not being asked to make an actual App or Website that uses coding. Your solution will be the finished visual imagery that could be given to someone else to code


Proposal:






















Proposal Powerpoint:



Research:


Arianna -

Research on Beacons:




What is a Beacon?

Google -Oxford Languages

1. "A fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal or celebration"

2. "A light or other visible object serving as a signal, warning, or guide at sea, on an airfield, etc."


"A light or fire in a place that is easy to see, such as on the top of a hill, that acts as a warning or a signa.l"



1. "A strong light that can be seen from far away and that is used to help guide ships, airplanes, etc."

2."A radio signal that is broadcasted to help guide ships, airplanes, etc."


"A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location. A common example is the lighthouse, which draws attention to a fixed point that can be used to navigate around obstacles or into por.t"




So what is it?

In my understanding, A beacon is a device that usually gives out some sort of a bright light or radio signal to help guide ships and planes or else act as a warning symbol. Some keywords associated with beacons include: Guide and help.


Research on Typography:


TYPOGRAPHY:

  • should be clear and easy for everyone to understand
  • keep people with dyslexia in mind
  • It should have a serious and official tone as this is an app for disasters.s

What are the best fonts for dyslexia? According to the British Dyslexia Association, sans serif fonts such as Arial and Comic Sans are the best options. This is because the letters appear less crowded. Verdana, Tahoma, Century Gothic, Trebuchet, Calibri, and Open Sans are some other examples. 


According to "Accessibility Checker," these points make fonts dyslexia friendly  
  • Distinct letter shapes
  • weighted bottoms 
  • ample letter spacing (ample = plentiful)
  • Simple serifs 
  • informality but clear (easy to read)
  • readability over complexity
There are also plenty of lists of fonts suitable for dyslexia on sites such as:
  • Lexend 
  • Verdana 
  • Century Gothic 
  • Arial
  • Tahoma
  • Open Sans

These fonts are easy to read, suitable for dyslexic people, and they also look serious and official.

One thing that I noticed and found cool while researching typography was on the site Exceptional Individual. They had a text-to-speech menu at the bottom as well as buttons to change font size, change font type to dyslexia friendly (used font dyslexie), and night mode.


Jason -

Beacon ((0)) – Web/App for Disasters & Emergencies 

Core Purpose:

A concise and effective platform for sharing critical information during disasters and crises.

Key Features

1. User-friendly & Clear UI

  • It must be easily navigable with a simple yet effective design.
  • Prioritizes clarity and accessibility for quick decision-making.

2. Live Updates & Warnings

  • Real-time global and local weather updates.
  • Live warnings for users in potentially affected areas.

3. Emergency Preparedness & Education

  • Tips & best practices for disaster preparedness (e.g., canned foods, charged phones, laminated emergency details).
  • Information on different types of disasters and how to prepare accordingly.
  • Links to emergency services and response teams.
  • Educational resources on disasters and disaster preparedness.

4. Emergency Locations & Services We mapped locations for emergency shelters, medical services, and designated safe spots.

5. Combatting Misinformation

  • Warn users about common misconceptions and debunk myths regarding disaster preparedness.
  • Ensure all information is scientifically accurate and efficient.

6. Interactive ‘Crisis Map’

  • Displays hotspots for various disasters (e.g., earthquake-prone zones, emergency & medical services, crime rates in certain areas).

7. Personal Safety & Emergency Response

  • Not just for natural disasters—can also assist in cases of assault, mugging, or kidnapping.
  • Tracking phone capabilities:
    • Emergency signals can be picked up by other users' phones.
    • Pressing the power button 3 times sends an emergency signal and shares personal details (e.g., medical card, passport) for rescue efforts.

Most Important Aspects:

✅ Best-designed UI – simple, effective, and user-friendly.
✅ Accurate & actionable information to ensure safety.
✅ Real-time updates & interactive tools for crisis response.



Sofiia -

Research on Ways to Help During Disaster Events in Ireland

1. Safety Shelters

Findings:

  • Locations: In Ireland, safety shelters are often set up in community centers, schools, and sports halls during emergencies like floods, storms, or heat waves. For example, during Storm Emma in 2018, local authorities opened shelters in Dublin, Cork, and other affected areas.

  • Services Provided: Shelters typically offer temporary accommodation, food, water, and basic medical assistance. Some also provide psychological support.

  • Access: Information about the nearest shelters is usually communicated through local authorities, the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP), and media outlets like RTÉ.

Sources:

2. Health & Safety

Findings:

  • Medical Services: During disasters, the Health Service Executive (HSE) coordinates medical response teams. Hospitals and clinics remain operational, and temporary medical stations may be set up in affected areas.

  • First Aid: The Irish Red Cross offers first aid training, and it’s recommended to have a first aid kit at home and in your car.

  • Safety Measures: During floods, avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. During storms, stay indoors and away from windows. In heat waves, stay hydrated and avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Sources:

3. Emergency Contacts

Findings:

  • General Emergencies: Dial 112 or 999 for police, fire, or ambulance services.

  • Coast Guard: Dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard for maritime emergencies.

  • Psychological Support: The Samaritans provide 24/7 emotional support at 116 123.

  • Animal Welfare: Contact the ISPCA at 1890 515 515 for animal-related emergencies.

Sources:

4. Disaster Preparedness Education

Findings:

  • Emergency Kits: The OEP recommends having an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit.

  • Family Emergency Plan: Create a plan that includes meeting points, emergency contacts, and evacuation routes. The Be Winter Ready campaign provides templates for such plans.

  • Community Training: The Irish Red Cross offers community training programs on disaster preparedness.

Sources:

5. Community Support and Volunteering

Findings:

  • Community Response Teams: Local volunteers are often trained to assist during emergencies. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, community groups delivered food and medicine to vulnerable people.

  • Volunteer Organizations: The Irish Red Cross and St. Vincent de Paul are key organizations that provide support during disasters.

  • Donation Drives: Communities often organize donation drives for essential items like food, clothing, and blankets.

Sources:

6. Misinformation and Fact-Checking

Findings:

  • Fact-checking platforms: FactCheck.ie is a reliable source for verifying information in Ireland.

  • Official Communications: Always refer to official statements from the government, HSE, or local authorities.

  • Social Media: Be cautious of unverified information on social media. Cross-check with official sources before sharing.

Sources:

7. Technology and Apps for Disaster Response

Findings:

  • Be Winter Ready App: Provides updates and advice during winter emergencies.

  • Met Éireann App: This app offers real-time weather warnings and forecasts.

  • Local Authority Apps: Some regions have apps for emergency notifications, such as the Cork Safety Alerts app.

Sources:

  • Be Winter Ready App: Available on iOS and Android.

  • Met Éireann App: Available on iOS and Android.

8. Psychological Support

Findings:

  • Crisis Counseling: The HSE provides free counseling services during and after disasters.

  • Support Groups: Organizations like Pieta House and Samaritans offer emotional support to those affected by disasters.

  • Stress Management: Tips include staying connected with loved ones, maintaining a routine, and seeking professional help.

Sources:

References:

  1. Office of Emergency Planning (OEP): https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/624e4-emergency-planning/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/ec39cf-office-of-emergency-planning/

  2. Irish Red Cross: www.redcross.ie

  3. Health Service Executive (HSE): www.hse.ie

  4. Met Éireann: www.met.ie

  5. Be Winter Ready Campaign: www.winterready.ie

  6. Samaritans Ireland: www.samaritans.org/ireland

  7. FactCheck.ie: www.factcheck.ie



Some ideas for the App:

1. Community Support & User Reports

  • Crowdsourced reports: Users can report disasters, dangers, and emergencies in real time.
  • SOS chat: A way to message nearby users during a crisis.
  • Neighbor help: A system to find volunteers who can offer shelter, food, or assistance.

2. Offline Mode & Emergency Downloads

  • Offline maps: Access to downloaded maps, shelters, and instructions without the internet.
  • Emergency PDFs: Users can download guides with step-by-step actions for different disasters.

3. AI Crisis Assistant

  • Personalized safety tips: Based on location and medical info, the app suggests actions to stay safe.
  • Voice commands: Control the app hands-free in an emergency.

4. Smart Alerts & Warnings

  • GPS-based warnings: If a user is in a danger zone, they get an alert + safety tips.
  • Early notifications: Connects with seismic systems and emergency services for quick warnings.

5. Family & Friends Tracker

  • "I’m Safe" button: Quickly notifies family that you’re okay.
  • Track loved ones: Add important contacts and get alerts if they enter a danger zone.

6. Smart Supply Tracker

  • Emergency kit tracker: Keeps track of food, water, batteries, and other supplies.
  • Personal evacuation plan: Helps create a checklist of what to pack in an emergency.


Arianna-

Accessibility - Colour Blindness


Trichromacy - This is where colour vision uses all three types of cone cells which means their colour vision is functioning normally 

Anomalous trichromacy is the scientific term for colour blindness

There are three types of anomalous trichromacy:
  • Protanomaly- reduced sensitivity to red light 
  • Deuteranomaly- reduced sensitivity to green light 
  • Tritanomaly- reduced sensitivity to blue light (extremely rare)

How to make UI accessible to colourblind people:

(These are some things to keep in mind when designing the UI)


  1. Use patterns (for graphs or other visuals containing information)
  2. Utilizing colours and symbols (e.g. when user is logging in have a pop up letting them know if they entered the wrong password)
  3. Use text labels (letting people know the colour of something)
  4. Underline links
  5. There are some colour combinations which should be avoided e.g. green-red and red-blue (can use a colourblind checker)
  6. Make primary buttons stand out 
  7. Make required form fields a different colour or mark with a symbol  




Mobile UI:

I have found some examples of UI for apps to do with emergencies and natural dsiasters. Some things all of them have in common in terms of design are

  • Minimal text
  • A lot of visuals 
  • Bog, clear buttons 
  • Strong, vivid colour scheme 
  • Easy to read, simple font
  • Easy to navigate around menu













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