jianqi zhang

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My name is Jianqi Zhang. I'm an undergraduate student majoring in Industrial Design (Honors). My project focuses on road safety product innovation, and the design process follows a rigorous "Empathize - Define - Ideate" framework.

In the "Empathize" phase, I drew on my eight years of driving experience to identify the shortcomings of traditional warning triangles (hazardous deployment, long deployment time, and poor visibility). I also researched relevant Australian standards (ADR 13/00 and AS 3791-1991) and conducted market research and stakeholder analysis.

In the "Define" phase, I used SWOT analysis, user journey mapping, and the Value Canvas to clarify my design goals and develop a detailed design brief.

In the "Ideate" phase, inspired by the umbrella-like structure, I created and tested three low-fidelity prototypes and one final prototype. I researched and selected suitable materials, including ABS plastic, aluminum alloy, LED light strips, and reflective fabric, ultimately achieving the final design goals of a quick deployment method, enhanced visibility, and safer deployment.

UMBLINDLA

The revolution of roadside safety—an intuitive, simple, efficient and safe warning triangle

Extreme Weather

High visibility is provided by reflective material and an LED strip

Operation Scene

Deployment locations are flexible, and the point direction is adjustable to accommodate various scenarios.

Driver Perspective

The visual advantage brought by the large size is unmatched by traditional warning triangles

Storage Scene

When closed, it is even smaller than many medium-sized umbrellas.

Acknowledgement of Country

The School of Design and Architecture respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and knowledge-keepers of the lands, waters and sky that surround us, where we work, learn, create, communicate and make place. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded and this always was and will always be Wurundjeri Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to make a better world through design.

We extend our acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, real-life clients, and knowledge keepers, who have contributed to our own education diversity and growth. We will continue to ensure that staff and students respectfully honour ancestral connection to Country and Place in everything that they do.

We are dedicated to the notion of design to make a better world and we acknowledge that making tools, shaping place, sharing stories, making meaning, wayfinding and collaborating have long been and continue to be both central and integral to First Peoples' cultures. We recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural contributions have continued relevance to design practice and commit to: reconciling ancestries of design and contemporary practice as well as pursuing culturally and professionally appropriate ways to engage with a diverse population of colleagues, industries and clients. In a time of treaty-making and voice we understand that there are overlaps between caring for Country and the sustainable production of goods, services, experiences, products and buildings.

Guided by the principles of respect, reconciliation, and reciprocity we undertake to indigenising and decolonising design practice by dismantling colonial structures and challenging biases that have marginalised Indigenous voices and design.

As students of SoDA you will be given opportunities to both engage with and educate yourself in Indigenous creative practices and cultural protocols through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, respect, mutual understanding, inter-cultural dialogue in all aspects of design practice. Indigenous people have been telling stories, making tools, and connecting to Country through visual media, placemaking and place marking for more than 60,000 years and these practices are part of an ongoing, evolving and live tradition.