Maddison Nielsen

SimpleSIGN is parking signage for a new era. Its use of technology allows visitors in the area to understand parking rules at a glance, and its assistant website allows for even more flexibility in interpreting parking rules.

Melrose & Fairfax is a super trendy shopping district with tons of visitors flocking to shop at its unique locations from all over the world. However, parking in the area is extremely limited: there are no large parking garages limiting visitors to street parking only, which is highly regulated due to the residential areas that surround it. This difficulty in parking leads to thousands of parking tickets and unhappy visitors year after year.

During interviews with visitors and workers in the area, we discovered that one of the main issues with parking is confusion about signage. We did a lot of research into parking signage and what makes it so confusing, and what can possibly be done to help.

The digital sign is made to be noticed easily from a moving car and deciphered in a single glance with the use of color: white and green for parking availability, and red for parking unavailability. The language is also as clear as possible pertaining to when the rules will change and who is exempt. It would change accordingly throughout the day. Posted beneath the digital sign at eye-level would be the static schedule. Almost all of the users we tested were enthusiastic about this sign and its use of visuals instead of text to convey when parking would be available throughout the day. It also allows for a visitor to plan their parking ahead if they see a full schedule for the day quickly and easily. It would also advertise and offer quick navigation to the simpleSIGN website! The website provides more accessibility tools, including a language translator, a legend of the signage, assistance in finding additional parking, and a timer to avoid those pesky 2-hour time limits.

We partnered with MaCher, a certified B-corp, to redesign one of their signature items – a luggage tag – according to their eco-friendly parameters, and additionally created a digital companion for the item.

The luggage tag has had the same design for hundreds of years, so how do we update it? Furthermore, how can we create additional use cases so that it doesn’t just sit in the closet most of the time? Finally, how can we make sure to make the production of the product as eco-friendly and cost-friendly as possible?

Our initial product ideation sketches were broad as we experimented with form factor, branding choices, and a variety of use cases. We quickly shied away from the traditional luggage tag, opting for more creative solutions that had potential for additional functionality beyond luggage identification. Our mentor Jamila was drawn to similar items that she felt promoted circularity and re-use: the “bracelet” design was something she was interested in as an item that could be worn “off luggage.” This concept, “off luggage,” was what primarily inspired our final idea. If an item is unique and well made, consumers will hold onto it for longer, and potentially share it with family/turn it into an heirloom. Instead of a luggage tag, we could create a different kind of luggage ID system that potentially has other use cases as well.

To create a set of luggage straps that can be used on luggage or shared between two people/bags using recycled PET and upcycled billboard. For the digital companion, each bag is linked to its own unique digital album, allowing people to add photos and collect stamps during their travels tying into a brand’s travel offerings.