A collaborative project between HTW Berlin and BVG 

This project was created as part of a collaborative project between my degree program and the BVG (Berlin Transport Authority). The aim of the project was to explore the themes of safety and resilience in Berlin's underground through design and to open up new perspectives on everyday mobility.

Within the overarching theme of "Resilience in the Underground – Design Approaches for Safe Mobility", I independently developed, researched, and elaborated my topic " Everything Under Control? What Contributes Sustainably to Greater Safety in the Subways?" .

My focus was on how safety is perceived on the subway and why existing emergency call and safety systems are often not used in acute situations. The starting point was a personal observation: Many people experience threatening or unpleasant situations in public spaces, but do not make use of available help systems.

Project progress

Based on qualitative observations, my own survey, as well as conversations and insights from within the system, I investigated,

• how the alarm handle and other emergency call systems are communicated

• which barriers stand in the way of their use

• and what role uncertainty, confusion and social dynamics play in this.
  
  

The project is less a purely technical security concept and more a creative approach to a complex social issue . It focuses on questions of comprehensibility, standardization, social cohesion, and civic courage in public spaces.

The results lead to initial conceptual approaches and questions, which will be explored in greater depth next semester with the aim of developing accessible, understandable and socially effective design approaches for greater safety in everyday urban life .

How can patients practice for taking a medical history interview?

Good question! – Empowering patients for their anamnesis interview is a card game designed to prepare patients for medical history interviews. It is aimed at independent patients aged 16 and older. The game can be used in educational settings, self-help groups, or privately. 

Medical history interviews are characterized by a structural imbalance of knowledge and power. Time pressure, medical jargon, and a lack of transparency in the decision-making process can create uncertainty, inhibitions, and a feeling of helplessness. Trust is often taken for granted by physicians. This analog, rule-based card game uses situation cards in three difficulty levels, a time limit, quiz cards, and clearly defined acceptance criteria. Players formulate questions under time pressure, which are then discussed and evaluated together based on the criteria. Quiz cards also impart basic legal knowledge. This trains both communicative and legal confidence in action

Project progress

The starting point of our project was the reconstruction of a real-life illness progression within the team. Using a user journey map, we analyzed doctor visits, emotions, and decision-making processes, identifying communication and trust as key pain points. The structural power imbalance during the initial consultation became particularly evident, as did the uncertainty many patients felt about asking critical or clarifying questions.

Initially, we developed the idea of ​​a digital tool to facilitate conversations, but discarded this approach because it created additional complexity and did not inspire much trust. Instead, we opted for a more playful approach.

The result is an analog card game that simulates typical anamnesis situations. Players formulate appropriate questions under time pressure, reflect on them together, and thus practice confident communication skills. Trust is not a prerequisite, but rather experienced as a dialogical process.

Who are you? with MK&G Hamburg 

For MK&G Hamburg, I had the opportunity to develop an interactive survey concept as part of a small team within the Master's program in Public Design at HTW Berlin. This concept engages visitors not just at the end, but directly during their tour . Instead of a traditional questionnaire, a playful and participatory format was created that makes feedback tangible and actively focuses on the well-being of visitors.

My role

• Design of different user journeys

• Development of the stamp image as a playful core element

• Creation of the site plan for the spatial placement of the stations