civicagent

Do czego to służy

Many hesitate to act alone in civic spaces. The Civic Agency Wristband lowers the barrier to civic action by helping people visibly signal when they’re ready to collaborate. It uses light and vibration to clarify social intent and reward shared effort.

Twoja inspiracja

The idea emerged from interviews with fellow students who wanted to get involved in social causes but often felt uncertain or isolated. Key themes included emotional hesitation, fear of acting alone, and a lack of visible support. Inspired by these stories and personal reflections on community-driven action, I explored how physical artefacts could lower barriers to engagement and create moments of connection in public life.

Jak to działa

The wristband uses a button and LED system powered by a small, custom-built circuit. When users press the button, it lights up blue to signal they’re ready to collaborate. Tapping two wristbands together activates a green light and triggers a gentle vibration through a small DC motor, providing clear, tactile feedback. I initially built the prototype using an Arduino, breadboard, and buzzer, then refined it by soldering more compact components to create a wearable version. The design focuses on simplicity, visibility, and intuitive interaction, drawing from tangible and embodied interaction principles.

Proces projektowania

The project began with qualitative interviews to understand barriers to civic action. These insights shaped emotional journey maps and inspired storyboards focused on real-life motivations and fears. I prototyped the concept through paper mockups and tested it in role-play scenarios. After positive feedback, I explored alternative formats (brooches, armbands), but playtesting showed the wristband was most intuitive and inclusive. I then built a functional prototype using Arduino and conducted further tests. Finally, I soldered a compact circuit and created a wearable band from cardboard. The process emphasised empathy, rapid iteration, and physical storytelling.

Jak to się różni

Unlike existing civic tech tools that live in apps or online platforms, this design lives on the body. It invites participation through simple physical actions, pressing, lighting up, tapping, without relying on screens or complex interfaces. The immediacy and visibility of the interaction encourage engagement in real-time, in shared public space. It’s a minimal yet expressive device designed not to broadcast causes, but to signal presence and willingness, making civic action feel more human, social, and spontaneous.

Plany na przyszłość

I plan to refine the prototype using more durable materials and brighter LEDs for outdoor visibility. The following steps involve user testing in real public settings and exploring alternative form factors for different user needs. I also hope to collaborate with grassroots organisations to explore how this could support volunteering and protest contexts. I aim to develop a small production run and test its potential for adoption in community-driven campaigns or civic events.

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