In 2018, as part of my academic endeavours, I started the project Martin — a digital vault. I took the perspective of security and privacy. At the time, the significance of these concerns was not as apparent as it is today, with the absence of key regulations such as GDPR, noteworthy incidents like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the growing emphasis on Apple Privacy. Despite the project's age, it remains an interesting exploration into these concepts and their application within a era without this concerns.
Research, Analysis, and Iterations
This project was my first attempt to the all Design Thinking process and the UX Research. Until this project, I only learned the principles but never applied it.
To ensure a solid foundation for the Martin project, I undertook extensive research, analysis, and iterations. The initial phase involved conducting a comprehensive benchmark analysis of existing digital vault solutions available in 2018. This allowed me to identify their strengths and weaknesses and gain insights into industry trends.
Additionally, I carried out interviews and surveys to gather user perspectives and understand their needs and pain points when it came to document management and privacy. These inputs were necessary in the creation of personae that helped me to shape the design process.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Martin project emerged during my research phase, as I began to delve into critical questions that changed the direction of the platform.
- Document and Paper Management: The first question that arose was how to handle and manage documents, taxes, and papers at home. I pondered how to provide access to trusted individuals such as partners or parents who assist in managing these important documents. This consideration aimed to address the need for secure collaboration and sharing
- Post-Mortem Account Management: An intriguing aspect that emerged during my research was the question of how to manage a user's account and documents after their passing. With the potential accumulation of a lifetime's worth of papers, it became essential to explore strategies for efficiently handling post-mortem accounts and facilitating the transfer of sensitive information to designated parties.
- Privacy as a Central Focus: Recognising the paramount importance of privacy in the digital age, I was determined to place privacy at the core of the Martin platform. However, ensuring the utmost protection for the vault posed a unique challenge.
Key features
Following my iterative process, I came with some interesting features. Here is the main ones.
Family Circle: Enabling Collaborative Document Management
Martin serves as a secure vault for storing invoices, tax documents, administrative papers, and more. Family Circle allows users to create common accounts and establish connections between individuals, granting them specific roles and controlled access to designated documents.
For instance, if you are a student, your mother might handle your administration, while as a married individual, you and your partner may have numerous shared documents. Additionally, for older users, their children may assist with administrative tasks. The Family Circle feature caters to these scenarios, facilitating seamless collaboration and document management. Furthermore, it provides the flexibility to adjust access privileges, even in the event of a divorce or changing circumstances.
Transfer In Peace: Simplifying Post-Mortem Account Management
The Transfer In Peace feature addresses the sensitive matter of managing a user's account and documents after their passing. Imagine the challenges of handling numerous administrative tasks following the death of a grandparent. With Martin's Transfer In Peace, once a user is declared deceased, their designated notary receives access to the platform, enabling them to initiate the necessary procedures efficiently. This feature ensures the smooth transition of important documents and minimises the burden on grieving family members.
ID.Mart: Unbreakable Security
In the quest for robust security, Martin propose the ID.Mart. Recognising the inherent vulnerabilities of passwords, this feature leverages the uniqueness of individuals themselves—Making you not only the master of your data but also the key to access it. In 2018, only the MacBook Pro integrated Touch ID technology. By bringing ID.Mart, it allowed anyone to have a key with them.
By plugging your ID.Mart Device to you computer, you could securely log into your Martin account using your fingerprint. This advanced biometric authentication adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only you can access your personal vault.
Version 1
The Version 1 is the version I came up in 2018 to my professors.
Version 2
The Version 2 is a remake post-graduation of the project. I'm always interesting to come back into some older projects with a fresh eye.
