Ann Arbor Fix It

Details
UT 330: Interaction Design & Urban Experiences
Partner: Emma McCallem
Completed December 2024
Skills
Design Research
Civic Tech
UX/UI

Context
The Fix It Project was my final project for the Interaction Design & Urban Experiences Studio, a course focused on user experience and interaction within urban environments. The project examined Ann Arbor’s Fix It app, a civic technology tool designed to facilitate communication between residents and the local government. This app seemed highly valuable in ensuring community and infrastructure issues were addressed in a timely manner.

However, through our research, we identified several pain points that discouraged users from engaging with the app. Many found the reporting process frustrating due to excessive “noise” from neighbors’ reports, a confusing submission process, and an overwhelming list of issue categories that users struggled to navigate.

Findings

To address these challenges, my project partner and I proposed key improvements:

Customizable Public/Private Reports – Allowing users to tailor what information is shared to reduce unnecessary clutter
Streamlined Reporting Process – Restructuring the order of steps to make submitting a report more intuitive
Simplified Category Selection – Redesigning the interface to eliminate users needing to scroll through a 50-item list

Research + Process

Figma Interactive Prototype

Pothole Reporting

Street/Road Category

Pothole Repair

Location (Required)

Description (Optional)

Photo (Optional)

Contact Information (Required)

Public/Private Posting Option

Review

Submit

Trash Pickup Reporting

Trash/Recycling Category

Trash Pickup Issue

Location (Required)

Description (Required)

Photo (Optional)

Contact Information (Required)

Private Posting Default (Changeable)

Review

Submit

Trini Sernas

Studying Urban Technology @ the University of Michigan Taubman College
Minoring in Law, Justice, and Social Change

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