Check in with TickID
R.A.J. Toussaint · 2014
The TickID group is a Rotterdam based company founded in 2010. It provides festivals and events with services that render the use of entrance tickets and cash unnecessary using RFID (Radio frequency identification) systems. One of their products is a registration beacon, used to register visitors and grant access to the right people at the right time. The system proved its usability on multiple events, however the beacon itself shows some room for improvement in the technical and aesthetical area. The problem The beacon does not suit many different event situations, misses the opportunity to promote events or sponsors and does not support TickID brand awareness. Submitting the beacon to a emotional analysis by possible users, based on the Positive design model (Yoon, 2013) showed the beacon is experienced as boring and unfriendly. The goal therefore is to “Create a proposal for a registration point for TickID to use with their current software system, suitable for multiple events and communicating both the event’s and TickID’s name.”. Product development To reach this goal different stakeholders wishes and requirements are analysed, including TickID as a company, event organisations, visitors and bars. This analysis shows the importance for the registration point to suit many different event situations and event identities. Also the product should be very reliable and withstand different external influences. The aesthetics of the registration point are to communicate confidence and respect but also evoke joy and anticipation. A framework is drafted combining all stakeholders interest. Together these result in a list of requirements and wishes covering technical specifications, feedback visibility, aesthetics and a batch size of 50 products. Using the framework different product ideas are generated. A selection of these is further developed into three valid concepts. An analysis is done comparing the three concepts and the original beacon using a method based on the Positive design model (Yoon, 2013). This shows a clear preference by potential users for a ‘Triangular pole’ concept. Next to this the different concepts are analysed using Pugh’s matrix and a weighted product model (Boeijen and Daalhuizen, 2010). These both indicate the ‘Triangular pole concept’ as being most suitable for the TickID registration point.Therefore this concept is selected for further development into a complete and valid product proposal. TickID registration point Prototyping of the triangular registration point resulted in different insights and improvements to the design. Dimensions are adjusted and suitable materials selected. This results in a modular product that creates the perfect registration point for each event situation. Placing a triangular box containing the RFID system in different frames creates in products suitable for different event situations including placement on a desk, on a wall, as a pole on its own or in line to create gateways. The product design is noticeable but not overwhelming or intimidating. This impression is created by its size but also by its triangular shape with rounded edges. Whereas the distinctive triangular shape ensures recognisability of the TickID brand, the product’s black color offers a great basis for promotional branding stickers to really stand out. This branding is not only to promote the event or its partners and sponsors, but it also makes the registration point fit to every different event identity. The registration point provides clear feedback to both visitor and (security) employees by an illuminated top and RFID logo. The employees can be provided by additional extensive feedback by simply adding a simple screen or tablet to the event specific product composition. The illuminated lid also creates anticipation in visitors that notice the product from a distance. A product 0.0 is produced to analyse the product proposal in more details and make some final adjustments and recommendations including further development of the triangular registration point, the RFID system itself and certification of the final product. Eventually this results in a product that creates the perfect registration point for each event situation.