Mobile phones are number four on the list of the top six most stolen products (In the bag), classified as CRAVED products they have contributed to recent increaseses in street theft. Yet paradoxically for most of us they still offer some sense of security.
For the driver they offer a way to get help in the case of a breakdown. They allow parents to keep track of children and give peace of mind for the woman who calls her boyfriend whilst walking home along an unlit street.
Safe and Mobile is a project which is exploring the potential of Mobiles and PDA's to keep us and our valuabes safe. Through a user-centred design research we have identified new opportunities for crime reducing services for real people based on existing technologies. This site with it's accomanying blog is the outcome of Stage 1 of the project.
The project is being conducted by Human Beans with Central Saint Martins Design Against Crime Initative. Human Beans are currently developing design responses to the opportunities identified in Stage 1.
How Britons are using their phones in 2003. A summary of findings from the Work Foundations 2003 report MobileUK.
Current and emerging mobile products, services and technologies. and the opportunities they provide in designing crime reducing services. With links to the latest industry watching news sites.
Possing as a customer we investigated the current attitudes of service providers to crime, as presented to the consumer. A summary of field observation and details on the mobile industry's Immobilse initative.
A brainstorm of who might be interested in the provision of a crime reducing mobile service, and why.
The methodology behind the user interviews. Insights from the research and and analysis of what street crime means to people.
Creatively thinking abuser. Who would make a good victim? How could we make street crime easier?
A summary of the opportunities developed from the research.
A sample of the design responses to the service opportunities identified.
The sources used for this project. Recommended reading and where to find out more.
Why design against crime? An answer from Dr. Lorraine Gamman.
Biographies and contact details for the project team and acknowledgements.
Last updated September 10, 2003. © Human Beans 2003.
