DEREK KASCHL

8D TECHNOLOGIES

8D Technologies is a Montreal-based technology provider of solar-powered urban transportation management and payment solutions for parking and bike share systems. Successfully powering bike share systems since 2008 (North America’s first large-scale bike share in Montreal, Canada), they have deployments across the USA (New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Minneapolis, Pullman), Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City), Australia (Melbourne), the UK (London) and in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Paired with its award-winning back-office software, 8D also became a highly reliable equipment vendor for a complete turn-key bike share solution.

Some information may have been omitted / obfuscated due to NDAs and confidentiality concerns.
I'd be happy to discuss and provide more information on these projects in further detail offline.

MY ROLE AT 8D TECHNOLOGIES

As lead UX Designer at 8D, I worked with the development teams in an Agile environment. The majority of my work centred on the back-end management console and the mobile bike share app although I also helmed company and app branding including print/social media, web sites, brochures, and other miscellaneous marketing materials.

8D BIKE SHARE SOLUTION

MANAGEMENT COLSOLE

One of my first projects was redesigning the management console web app. Bike share/city parking scheme management involves countless moving parts and data points. Our clients' feedback was that they found the existing widget-based console visually confusing and that there was a steep learning curve.

Upon analysis, it was determined that the visual hierarchy was difficult to discern and many of the most-used functions were not easily found or apparent. Because of the large widget-based menu at the top of the screen, some of the most important information was hidden below the fold. The goal for the redesign was to make it easier to access information filtering and to visually provide clear data. Another requirement was to allow for scaling of additional filtering and functionality without compromising the integrity of the user experience.

Back-end Management Console Solution

Starting with sketches and moving to low-fidelity mock-ups, the UX team and back-end development team iterated several designs. After testing with users, a solution was found. Upon its release, it was met with resounding approval from clients.

SPOTCYCLE MOBILE APP

Overview
Spotcycle is a mobile app for iOS and Android designed to integrate with the various bike share systems worldwide. Spotcycle tracks the GPS position of a cyclist and finds the closest 10 docking stations and allows you to bookmark your favourite docking stations. The wireless technology keeps users up to date as their location changes.

First launched in 2010, I worked on version 2.0. Released in 2014, it featured a new, modern look-and-feel and increased functionality. As part of the rebranding process, all aspects of the identity were re-designed - from the main logo to each icon. The development was carried out with the mobile team using Agile development methods and our starting point was user feedback.

User Research
Initial focus was on feedback from power users recruited from our user base and callouts on the app website. Users were asked for a wish list, current features they used the most/least, aspects that frustrated them, as well as general feedback. We iterated and rolled it out to our power users with a built-in feedback mechanism. Their feedback led to more iterating and testing.

Features & User Flows
Following the user research, features and user flows were determined and the development process began (with Agile development practices).

Each phase was wireframed and was scrutinised during weekly crits with the stakeholders.

Wireframes & Iteration

Results

10 SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS:
FROM SOLAR-POWERED SUITCASES TO FLOATING CLASSROOMS
TRANSPORTATION FINALIST:
8D TECHNOLOGIES (CANADA) - BIKE SHARING APP

The Spotcycle app from 8D technologies aims to make bike-sharing more convenient and smartphone-friendly. The app locates nearby bike stations and communicates availability, maps out bike paths and helps with navigation. Theapp is already in sync with cities in North America, Australia and Europe.

THE GUARDIAN
Wednesday 29 October 2014

SPOTCYCLE.NET

Spotcycle.net was a responsive site/blog where users could download the app for their iOS and Android devices and stay informed about new releases and updates and the latest bike share news.

Low-fidelity mock up

Spotcyle.net

8D GRAPHIC DESIGN

DESIGN & BRANDING

I led the corporate branding for 8D and worked on the corporate website, tradeshow kiosks, infographics, brochures and marketing materials, etc.

As part of the Spotcycle 2.0 release, a new style guide for colors, fonts, etc. was created and for the Spotcycle site, Apple App Store, Google Play, and social media accounts. This was eventually also rolled out for a white label version offered to the various bike share client operators.

Social Media