Introduction
I started getting interested in art as young as 4 years old, I would draw cartoon characters and objects around me. I discovered graphic design in high school and immediately decided that this is the profession I would pursue. My passion for this problem space evolved from studying the communication gap between youths and the Nigerian Labor Congress. The project shifted to asking a more urgent design question: How can critical information be communicated safely and discreetly to people already in high-risk public gatherings? So I decided to design a wearable accessory system that allows information to be communicated through the body rather than through screens or word of mouth in a loud/ high stress environment.
Product Description
Jumo is a subtle protest safety system that consists of a wearable ring. This ring sends real time alerts through sensations such as warmth, vibration, or pulsing heat, it operates through encrypted Bluetooth and functions as a body based communication system, allowing consumers to tap their own device to signal the crowd instantly without yelling or using their phones in a high stress environment. The product is a wearable safety accessory for protests. It is mainly designed as a Ring, which works with a supporting app used only before and after the protest. During the protest, the wearable acts as a body based communication system. It allows users to receive alerts without needing to check their phones or look for visible signals.
App Description
The supporting app serves a purpose outside of the live protest setting. It helps with onboarding, anonymous device pickup, and hardware selection. It also provides privacy information and protest details. After the event, the app supports post-protest safety check-ins, allowing participants to confirm their well being. It lets individuals browse and select their wearable accessory, customize visual elements like color for identity or group alignment. A key feature is the option to choose anonymous pickup locations. This removes the need to give personal home addresses and reduces traceability. This approach helps build trust and transparency with users before they participate. After the protest, the companion app becomes a safety confirmation and community accountability tool. Users can check in to confirm they have safely left the area and returned home. This feature supports group awareness, allowing members to keep track of each other and see if anyone needs help.
What I Am Trying to Accomplish
I am building a body based communication network that replaces screen time with physical safety alerts. This setup aims to keep users present and aware. My goal is to enable environment awareness coordination by sending important information through bodily sensations instead of using distracting digital screens. Ultimately, I want to create a resilient, connected environment where participants can stay connected without needing to look at a phone.
The Problem I Am Trying to Solve
I am tackling the unreliability of smartphones in high-risk environments, where being aware of one’s surroundings can be a matter of survival. Standard apps depend on cellular networks that often fail during large protests. By eliminating the need for internet and visual attention, I am addressing the physical vulnerability and tech instability found in current protest communication.
Protest Finder
Helps users locate nearby protests. Provides event information. Weakness: requires phone use and internet access as well as not useful during active danger moments.
Useful for group chats, broadcast alerts, and encrypted messaging. Familiar and widely used. Weakness: depends on phone and network access as well as failing during shutdowns or confiscation.
Adebunmi Gbolaji
Age: 20s Gender: Female Marital Status: Single Occupation: Undergraduate
Motivation Wants to contribute to social change. Wants safety and clarity during protests. Needs trustworthy real-time alerts. Wants more coordinated leadership. Pain Points Fear of violence. Over stimulation in chaotic environments. Lack of trust in institutions. Feels unsafe and vulnerable. Behaviors Uses social media for civic updates. Shares protest information online. Relies on phones for updates.
Mr. Ajayi
Age: 50s Gender: Male Marital Status: Married Occupation: Senior NLC executive
Motivation Protect protesters. Coordinate safer demonstrations. Increase youth engagement. Improve trust and transparency. Pain Points Youth distrust and disengagement. Communication tools are outdated. High-risk protest environments. Government inconsistency. Behaviors Negotiates with government. Coordinates protest logistics. Uses traditional communication channels. Engages in planning and media review.