Human-Computer Interaction Capstone Project
Legislation and the legislative process are complex and can be difficult to follow. As a result, civically motivated people are less likely to follow and participate in local government.
Understand how users find, understand, and engage with legislation to inform the design of a mobile application that:
Mobile-first application
We focused on addressing each goal and used multiple research methods to:
We reviewed academic journals, articles, and a government report to identify key words (examples listed below), legislative literacy themes, trends, and related factors.
Simplifying the law, citizen participation, local government, e-participation, legal informatics
Understanding legislation, local government, ethics, plain language, word frequency
Definitions, organizational elements of a bill, understanding legislation, statutory interpretation
We identified and reviewed 16 government websites, mobile apps, and other platforms to compare multiple factors, including location and personalization. An abbreviated version is provided here.
| Office of the City Clerk (eLMS) | Chicago Councilmatic | Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-based | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personalization | 🟡 | X | 🟡 |
| Simplified Legislation | 🟡 | 🟡 | 🟡 |
| Ability to Comment | X | X | X |
Recruitment
Five experts from personal and professional networks with expertise ranging from local political outreach to federal immigration policy
Researchers
One interviewer and two observers
Research Objective
We conducted expert interviews to understand the target demographic and define the design goals
Data Collection
We developed customized interview protocols for each session, then conducted and recorded all interviews via Zoom
Data Analysis
We transcribed the interviews and synthesized responses and behavioral observations using an affinity analysis to surface emerging themes across participants
Recruitment
Four participants from personal and professional networks who live in Chicago and are 18 years of age or older
Researchers
One interviewer and two observers
Research Objective
We conducted contextual inquiries to observe participants' actions and understand their mental models
Data Collection
We developed one contextual inquiry protocol, then conducted and recorded all contextual inquiries via Zoom
Task Prompts
Warm-up Questions
Tasks
Deep Focus
Data Analysis
We transcribed the contextual inquiries and synthesized responses and behavioral observations using an affinity analysis to surface emerging themes across the four goals: Motivate, Find, Understand, and Engage
Affinity Diagram
Recruitment
Seventeen participants from the DePaul University Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media participation pool for students, researchers, and community members
Research Objective
Learn about how participants think, identify the terms that make sense, and use insights to design the mobile app's information architecture
Data Collection
We designed an unmoderated hybrid card sort conducted online via the Optimal Workshop platform
Data Analysis
We reviewed the raw data to identify patterns, agreement, and disagreement in how participants organized labels, concepts, and information
Recruitment
Forty-one participants from the team's professional network and the DePaul University Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media participation pool for students, researchers, and community members
Research Objective
We incorporated an AI harm assessment to proactively identify and design for malicious intent and blind spots
Prompt
Brainstorm potential misuses for the personalized notications, legislative tracking, AI legislative summarizer, and AI comment wizard features.
Data Collection
We designed an unmoderated harm assessment survey conducted online via Google Forms
Data Analysis
We reviewed the results and synthesized responses using an affinity analysis
Example Insights
Personalized Notifications
Legislative Tracking
AI Legislative Summarizer
AI Comment Wizard
We identified two types of users. The first user group follows legislation that affects them and the people they care about. This group breaks down information and searches for answers to questions. The second user group is also interested in learning about legislation that may affect them, but this group prefers an easier way to get and read the information. Both user groups are illustrated below through personas and journey maps.
Meet Phoebe
Meet Lindsey
Phoebe's Journey
Lindsey's Journey
The research methods provided various insights to help address our four goals. Below is a list of example insights and opportunities.
Find
Insight:
Opportunity:
Understand
Insight:
Opportunity:
Engage
Insight:
Opportunity:
Motivate
Insight:
Opportunity:
We conducted a design charrette and individual sketches to explore features that address each of the four goals. For instance, we incorporated AI to synthesis complex information into plain language and help users write comments on proposed bills.
Objective
Generate and share ideas, challenges, and solutions to inform the design of a user interface and identify key features
Artifacts
Objective
Iterate the utility navigation, levels of information, types of information, and features
Overview
Objective
Quickly explore, visualize, and iterate the user interface and different flows
Example wireframes
Objective
Iterate a realistic, high-fidelity user interface to visualize and test the voice, tone, and information architecture
Example designs
The team conducted limited usability testing with other students in the capstone course, using the prototype below. This testing was equivalent to a cognitive walkthrough rather than a formal usability study. Students walked through the prototype, but the team did not employ structured qualitative methods (e.g., think-aloud protocols, coded observations) or quantitative metrics (e.g., task success, time-on-task, error rates). Feedback was limited to informal, unstructured confirmation that the prototype functioned and that students found the interface easy to navigate.
We introduced MyChicago at Chi Hack Night and partnered with another team to further develop MyChicago outside of an academic setting. Marissa H., the project lead, continues to iterate and develop this app under the current name, Windy-Civi.