Recently, I heard a speech by Jonathan Becker, a BCIT alumni, about his successful journey from school into the tech world. He found his passion within SEO, focused on it 100% and strove to be the best in that area of expertise. I left feeling inspired by his passion, his acceptance of previous failures and his ability to engage a crowd. But I also left wondering, how does someone find that exact thing they knew they were meant to do?

I’m a girl with many interests. I like design, production, development, planning, and management. My career path has taken me down a few different roads and now, focusing on the Tech industry, I find it clear that I need to zone in on something specific. So how do I get there?

The objective:

To find out which career path suits me best by examining an innovative project from the perspective of different work positions.

The project:

I’ve decided to explore a project that both fascinates and intrigues me, the On The Go Interactive Wayfinding Kiosks, made by Control Group for the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Control Group is an innovation strategy firm based out of NYC. Working with the MTA, Control Group created digital touch-point kiosks, the newest, efficient way for Metro commuters to travel.

The genius:

Control Group recently transformed the NYC subway system into an location based information beacon. Using Gimbal, a context aware platform from Qualcomm, daily commuters and visitors are able to find direct routes, up-to-date information and points of interest all by simply tapping where they would like to go on the touch-screen kiosks. It’s a revolutionary way to travel.

The team:

Each team member would have been crucial to the production of these kiosks. Obviously, there were more members than the 5 I will mention below but these are the areas in which I would like to explore the most.

The digital strategist → They design around the user experience and response to sound, sight, touch, and motion. Knowing their target audience is key. On The Go needed to have easy user functionality not only for daily commuters but visitors who had never been to the city before.

The project manager → With a clear strategy in place, the project manager takes control of the project. The Project Manager for On The Go would have to meet with and mediate between MTA (the client), the information architects, the designers, and the programmers. Their mission would be to keep their team on schedule with set goals and deadlines.

The information architect → The architect has the responsibility for the structural design and organization of the project to support usability. With On The Go, the IA would develop numerous wireframes, mock ups and the entire framework for the kiosks.

The interface designer → For On The Go, the design process would revolve around an intuitive screen interface that functions effectively for over 5 million daily users. Combining functionality with visual design.

The developer → This is where the project comes to life. The developer for On The Go would begin the testing and implementation of the touch screens and location beacon until they were just right.

Analyzing where I fit:

The developer in me loves to bring things to life; I love building. Getting my hands invested in a project and forming it to completion.

My inner designer wants to create and play with colours, choose typefaces and watch a project move from wireframes to a full prototype. The options are endless.

That organized individual in me wants to see efficient and user friendly labelling. Making sure that everything is in its right place.

My appreciation for good management cries out for me to led a team through this exciting, innovative journey. Getting my hands in all aspects of the project and making sure the client is getting what they need and want.

The strategist. I love seeing the big picture of a project. I’ve always loved the entirety of a production. From planning, t0 execution and finality. Leading and working with an innovative team who dare make the impossible possible, even when the potential of failure exists.

Final Thoughts:

So where would I fit in? Strategy, of course! It makes the most sense for my interests and skill set. In that position there is room to “wear different hats” and exercise my flexibility.

On The Go impacts millions of people everyday. Knowing the magnitude of this project may scare off a few people but not me. The significant weight of this work is exciting. While I may not know all of the details that went on during this process, I do know that a lot was accomplished by a dedicated team of innovative thinkers. And in the end, that’s the type of team I want to work with.

Questions for Control Group:

1. Did you design the kiosks with the visually impaired in mind? If so, how did you accomplish this?
2. Was it difficult to implement Gimbal into the development process or did it make it easier?
3. How many prototypes were designed before you settled on the final design?
4. Have there been any issues that you didn’t foresee?
5. Would you consider taking on an intern from Vancouver in September? I’m available for a practicum right about then and what better opportunity than hands on experience with the accomplished team that produced such an innovative project?