RazzTags

RazzTags protects users from pickpocketing using a mobile application connecting to bag zipper tags

Timeline:

Summer 2019
12 weeks

Role:

UX Designer
UX Researcher

Project overview

RazzTags is a mobile app that prevents pickpocketing by attaching a magnetic tag to zippers, locking compartments, and notifying users of unauthorized tampering.

Problem

What is the best way prevent pickpocketing using technology?

Timeline

We had 12 weeks to complete this project, from conception to design. The timeline was for project identification, user research, design, and evaluation.

User Research

We surveyed stakeholders to understand their travel methods, types of bags used, bag contents, and security concerns.

Our analysis fell into three categories:

Backpacks

  • Used by 88% of survey respondents, almost all backpack users use their backpack to commute to and from school or work and usually carry a laptop.

  • To keep their backpacks secure, respondents keep their zippers closed and wear their backpacks in a deliberate way to prevent pickpocketing, such as wearing them in front.

Purses

  • Used by 50% of survey respondents, users often use a purse in addition to their backpack.

  • Most users are women who use purses outside of commuting to school or work, mainly for leisure or running errands.

  • Additionally, they use their purse to carry smaller, essential items, like a wallet or phone.

Small + Drawstring Bags

  • Used by 9% of survey respondents, most users are male, and smaller bags, such as drawstring bags, gym bags, or fanny packs, almost substitute purses.

  • Perceived as more secure, they use these bags for leisure or running errands and usually only carry a wallet, phone, and other essentials.

Contextual Interviews

We conducted interviews with metro users during their commute to enhance our contextual understanding.

We created an affinity model using our insights from our contextual interviews. These notes captured events, problems, opportunities, design ideas, and insightful user quotes.

An affinity model capturing problems, opportunities, design ideas, and insightful user quotes.

Key Findings

Using our affinity diagram, we determined the requirements for our users to develop insights for our initial design.

Requirements

  • Users generally adjust their behaviors for security rather than using external security.

  • Most users preferred security involving their zippers, as zippers secure compartments holding valuables.

  • Users prioritize the design and function of their bags rather than security.

Insights

  • Our solution must be convenient so as not to hinder the user's current habits.

  • Our solution must conform to different types of bags with varying purposes.

Design

After visioning and storyboarding, we designed a paper prototype complemented with a physical artifact.

Our product is a magnetic "lock" attached to each zipper on a bag compartment. When the compartment is closed, the two zipper magnets quickly connect.

In the app, users can set auto-lock areas based on locations. An alarm goes off if a pickpocketer separates the zippers to reach into the bag.

Paper prototype demonstrating the core application flow such as adding bags, compartments, and enabling alarms.

Evaluation

We used heuristic walkthroughs and usability testing to collect feedback to improve our initial prototype.

Key Findings

  • Customize the app for each bag and zipper to allow for clear identification

  • Implement onboarding to give clear instructions on how to use the product in concurrence with the app

  • Create an advanced method of setting the “Autolock areas” on a map

ReDesign

We used our findings from the heuristic walkthroughs and usability testing to determine our final design.

High-fidelity mockups redesigned based on heuristic walkthrough and usability test findings.