MAGIC BOX
A data collaborative platform to provide insights that can optimise and adapt responses to humanitarian disasters.
ROLE : DESIGN DIRECTION, PRODUCT ROAD MAP , DESIGN SCENARIOS.
(delivered through workshops, prototypes and design systems)
USING REAL TIME DATA
Analyzing unstructured data sources such as people’s movements, cellular network, usage of social media, satellite imagery combined with public data sources that can help understand insights for responding to emergency context. It uses publicly available and private data sources which are anonymized and aggregated and share insights for implementation of programmes.
CONTEXT
Exogenous shocks such as population displacements, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters are sudden and often unpredictable. New and faster ways of analysing the world that generate critical insights into the needs of vulnerable populations, and where best to invest scarce resources in situations like emergency response, prioritize actions and provide support.
SCENARIOS AND SKETCHES
Data is gathered through public and private sources. This data is anonymized and analysed to provide insights, which are effective in giving response in emergency context.
The platform empowers programmatic, emergency personnel to make informed decisions and invest in resources in a timely manner
DERIVING INSIGHTS
Each layer of data source is visualized as an interface.
The different overlay of data sources provides real-time updates and analytics that empowers end users.
Sketches analyzing the different type of users and faces of Magic Box.
INITIAL PROTOTYPES for evaluating the impact of natural disasters.
Initial Prototypes looked at the various scenarios of response such as a natural disaster “Earthquake”. Visualizing Interface for an Emergency Specialist. With elements such as activity timeline, news data and contact menus.
PROTOTYPE for Mobile World Congress
Below is a prototype showcasing the interactions for the stages of Monitor, Response and Recovery of natural disaster.
The prototype focusses on Earthquake in Columbia, was developed for Mobile World Congress using Carto and Spotfire
DEMO for Mobile World Congress
Below is a demo showing mobile communications in Columbia to improve the management of humanitarian disasters, providing alarms, and supporting critical response and recovery monitoring. Visualizing layers of mobility and mobile data communication.
Read more about “Data as a force for Good” a white paper published by the partners
DESIGN SYSTEMS FOR SCALABILITY.
To adopt and scale these tools, Design Systems were utilised. These elements were then built by various partners, offices and on-the -ground specialists.
TOOLS FOR MULTIPLE USE CASES
A.INFOPOVERTY
What if we could determine the minimum amount and type of Kilobytes a day a child should consume to be ‘information healthy’?
The tool aims to determine and establish some minimum standards around information quality and quantity that children need to consume (kilobytes/day). Thus, Information Poverty is to measure a child’s access to information. We can then build sustainable infrastructures and programmes, and make informed decisions for children that will lead to equal access to relevant information, opportunities, and choices.
B.SCHOOL MAPPING AND CONNECTIVITY
To map every school in the world and show their connectivity in real-time.
Using Satellite Imagery and Deep Learning techniques to map every school in the world. The data generated and visualized to identify gaps and information needs. Initial wireframes to map schools for the project.
Mapping Schools across the globe to know where schools are and how connected they are to inform programmes around education, health and emergencies.
This online platform will help identify where the gaps and information needs are, serve as evidence when advocating for connectivity and help national governments optimize their education systems.
With a need that was expressed by many UNICEF partners and UNICEF Country Offices, to know where schools are and how connected they can be further informed to implement inform programmes around education, health and emergencies,
Here is an interactive prototype developed along with the team from Project Connect.
The digital prototype Project Connect (unicef.org)
C.PANDEMICS AND MOBILITY -
Where is the disease under investigation more likely to spread next? Where should the response efforts be mostly focused to prevent the spread?
This information will inform UNICEF country offices and other stakeholders to take faster data-driven decisions about epidemic prevention and containment.
This project is ongoing and a collaborative effort between data scientists, software developers and product leads along with partners.