Context
Empowering Urban Solutions with UX: Manaus Vision Hack 2021
In 2021, I participated in Manaus Visão Hack, a tech marathon that brought together 40 competitors divided into 9 teams at the Casarão da Inovação Cassina.
The event aimed to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to improve urban mobility in Manaus, addressing the needs of the Urban Mobility Institute (IMMU).
For three days, programmers, software developers, designers, and entrepreneurs collaborated intensively to transform strategic challenges from the city’s public administration into actionable ideas and prototypes that could optimize services provided to citizens.
This event was not just a competition; it was a space for learning, co-creation, and the development of impactful products that could improve the lives of the population.
My Role
Guiding Ideas: My Role in the Event
My contribution to Manaus Visão Hack 2021 was as a UX/UI instructor and team mentor throughout the event.
My responsibilities included:
Pre-Event Workshops:
Facilitating co-creation workshops focused on User Experience (UX) and User Interface Design (UI), preparing teams to adopt user-centered design practices during the hackathon.
On-Site Mentorship:
Guiding teams in using methodologies like Design Thinking and Double Diamond to structure more strategic and effective solutions.
Coaching on Best Practices:
Teaching how to conduct UX activities to ensure that the products created were functional, accessible, and user-friendly.
Material
Creating Humanized Solutions with UX
To ensure participants developed solutions that genuinely addressed the needs of Manaus citizens, the workshops were carefully planned to teach and apply the following concepts:
- Design Thinking:
A creative approach to solving complex problems, focusing on understanding users, ideation, and prototyping.
- Double Diamond:
A framework that guides teams from problem definition to solution delivery, divided into four clear phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. - UX Best Practices:
Tips and tools for creating intuitive, accessible interfaces aligned with user goals.
Emphasizing the importance of prototyping and quick testing to validate ideas in real time.
Practicing
Building in Practice
With 4 hours dedicated exclusively to User Experience, participants not only learned fundamental techniques but also applied these methodologies to solve real-world urban mobility problems.
Observed Outcomes:
More User-Centered Products:
Teams used the Double Diamond framework to deeply understand problems and create solutions aligned with citizen needs.
Strategic Co-Creation:
Design Thinking helped teams generate ideas collaboratively, incorporating diverse perspectives into the creative process.
Agile Prototyping:
Teams applied UX best practices to create rapid and functional prototypes, which were presented to the jury panel.
The event concluded with the presentation of innovative and practical solutions that showcased the impact of the methodologies learned during the hackathon.
Learnings
Reflections and Learnings
What this event taught me as a UX facilitator.
Participating in Manaus Visão Hack 2021 was an incredible opportunity to directly contribute to the development of tech solutions aimed at public well-being. As a facilitator, I learned how to adapt UX concepts to a hackathon environment, where time is limited, and collaboration is key.
Key takeaways:
The importance of teaching in a practical and objective way so participants can immediately apply the knowledge.
How the combination of technology and user-centered design can transform complex problems into real solutions.
