Journal Entry Four ‘The Aquaduct’

According to UNICEF, 1.1 billion people around the world lack access to safe water sources. IDEO, a global design consultancy, decided to address this problem, their solution is a three-wheel bicycle (Aquaduct) that sanitizes and transports clean drinking water. IDEO’s approach to developing the Aquaduct is an excellent example of the design/prototype process discussed in chapter 10 of Bill Moggridge’s book Designing Interactions. Although this concept is only a prototype designed to raise awareness on this major issue, it is worthy to evaluate the design process of the Aquaduct according to the design methods discussed in chapter 10.

IDEO undoubtedly performed extensive research. First they identified the user. The Aquaduct is intended for an impoverished male/female family provider living in the developing world. This individual typically travels miles to find the nearest water source, which is often polluted. Herein, lies the supervening need to create a more efficient system to acquire clean water.

Second, IDEO identified what the target users want from the experience? In this case, the user wants to provide safe and sanitary drinking water to his/her family. Although the distance the user has to travel is a significant factor in regard to this issue, it is irrelevant in regard to the user. The user wants safe and clean drinking water he or she could careless how far they have to travel to get it.

Third, IDEO identified what would make the experience more efficient and enjoyable? Clearly, in the eyes of the westerner a more efficient and enjoyable user experience is to bring the water source directly to the family in need. However, in the western world we view efficiency very differently than the developing world, and I think it is important to consider those differences in the design process. For example, when I was traveling through Peru I stayed with a Quichua family who recently had a clean water spigot installed in their community by the Peace Corps. This devastated the tribal women who typically spent a large portion of their day traveling roughly five miles to fetch clean water. The activity of gathering water was apart of their daily routine. It was the only daily opportunity these women had to socialize with others. Unfortunately, this liberating experience was stopped once a waterspout was installed in the center of their community. Although I think the Aquaduct is a cutting-edge and very practical solution to the issue of easily accessing safe drinking water, I think the social impact of this design especially in the area of efficiency needs to be reconsidered.

Moggridge, B. (2007). Designing Interactions. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Pp. 641-735.

http://www.ideo.com/work/featured/aquaduct/