Sohraab Walia

About

Work

Let's connect

sohraab.walia@gmail.com

Email copied!

Sohraab Walia

About

Work

Let's connect

sohraab.walia@gmail.com

Email copied!

Sohraab Walia

About

Work

Let's connect

sohraab.walia@gmail.com

Email copied!

A new way to experience and share daily news.

Sohraab Walia

Sarah

David Chin

Lindsay Mccomb

Timeline

Team

6 months

Overview

My Role

Newstop is a conceptual 'Phygital' news platform that bridges the gap between digital news consumption and physical interaction.


By creating interactive pop-up newsstands, Newstop allows users to engage with verified news stories, share their reactions, and view the perspectives of others in real time.


This project involved user research, prototyping interactive pop-up kiosks, and testing engagement methods to create a physical platform that integrates digital news with real-world interactions, encouraging public discourse through a communal and immersive experience​

UX Research — User Interviews, Haptic Design, Physical Prototyping, Journey Mapping, storyboarding

We primarily get news from social media, where algorithms create "bubbles" that reinforce our existing beliefs, leading to confirmation bias and echo chambers optimized for engagement. This monetization of our feeds limits exposure to diverse perspectives.

THE challenge

THE SOLUTION

The solution was to create Newstop, a digital and physical platform that brings diverse news stories to public spaces, encouraging real-world interaction and discussions outside the confines of social media "bubbles."

INITIAL RESEARCH

We conducted some primary research to gain a deeper understanding of how news is currently digested. This study culminated with a journey map of a typical routine at a newstand.

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

FIELD RESEARCH

Velocity intercepts and group interviews were conducted in Downtown San Francisco and around the Berkeley University campus to include a diverse research sample. We also asked a few consumers if we could shadow them as they went about their routines.

Velocity intercepts and group interviews were conducted in Downtown San Francisco and around the Berkeley University campus to include a diverse research sample. We also asked a few consumers if we could shadow them as they went about their reouti

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

JOURNeY MAPS

We designed 2 journey maps. One that depicts the current 'What is' (digital) and 'What was' (before digital news) scenario, while the other exhibits a 'What if' scenario with Newstand in the picture.

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

STORYBOARD

We designed 2 journey maps. One that depicts the current 'What is' (digital) and 'What was' (before digital news) scenario, while the other exhibits a 'What if' scenario with Newstand in the picture.

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

Prototype

We made several iterations and mockup designs for the final rendition of Newstop.

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

THE FINAL PRODUCT

We hosted a MicroPilot at the California College of the Arts Campus.

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

TAKEAWAYS

News will always be relevant to humans. However, the manner in which we consume news is changing

Our group embarked on inspection trips to San Jose, spotlighting maintenance studios, and measuring the mindset about repairs among both young and old individuals.

Growing as a TEAM

Beyond methodology and technique are the learned nuances of an experience. Regardless of outcome, much of the project we created revolved around working together as a team. We maintained a highly democratic and flat group structure.

Complex Prototyping

The process of incorporating technologues such as an Ipad, haptics and 3D audio into a thin structure such as the Newstop was a challenging, yet gratifying experience. I am going to dive deeper into researching technologies in finite spaces.

Unexpected Outcome

Our initial vision was to have a digital product. However, after months of research, we decided to design a physical pop-up structure. Being open to change as our knowledge advanced was vital to the success of this project.

A deep dive into the customer's perspective

Research

Our research revealed key pain points in the user journey, such as overwhelming navigation and a lengthy checkout process.