Service Design (MA)
Shamim Bakhit
Shamim Bakhit is a service designer from Vancouver, Canada. She has a bachelor's degree in Interactive Arts and Technology, with a concentration in design from Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her undergraduate studies was an interdisciplinary program combining technology, design and sciences to build new technologies and experiences that shape our lives.
In her design concentration, she studied UX and UI design and developed critical thinking skills in addition to technical and creative skills. During her last year of undergraduate studies, she worked as a research assistant in Everyday Design studio at SFU, helping on a project that investigated the relation between people and computational things in everyday life.
In her final year of bachelor's degree, she came across the service design discipline and became interested in the field. With UX, she had always felt the need to design beyond the screen, with an end to end basis, and to work more holistically to create greater impact. So she knew service design would fulfill that for her as she joined RCA.
During her two years masters degree in RCA, she worked on projects across different sectors with clients from Lloyds Banking Group, Belmond Luxury Hospitality group, CERN, and Telefonica(x2).
Some of her projects have been exhibited in:
RCA Service Design WIP Show- 2020
RCA Grand Challenge X CERN Exhibition - 2019 (This project was also chosen as one of the 12 finalists)
SFU Speculative Design Exhibition- 2018
SFU Interactive Art Exhibition- 2015
I’m a service designer who is passionate about designing services and experiences that leave a positive impact on people, society and the environment.
I enjoy being challenged with problems around social and technological innovation. Being conscious of the impact of technology and it’s possible complexities, I am interested in designing around technologies that positively make contributions to people’s lives. It is at the intersection of design, business and technology that we can generate value for all stakeholders involved.
I currently live in London, having just finished my masters degree in service design. Having a background in UX design, I have come to understand that solving problems through a holistic understanding of people, systems, communications and relationships is necessary in shaping new experiences and services that would help people and businesses succeed.
As a designer, I enjoy approaching problems using speculative design strategies to articulate possible futures and challenge current assumptions with an end goal of doing social good.
This year has been a challenging year for everyone. Looking back at my journey here at the RCA, especially this past year with the pandemic and all the injustices happening around the world, it is now the time to reflect on what needs to be changed to make a fairer, more peaceful and sustainable future for all. To play my part in this, and as a service designer, I hope to be working on projects relating to technological, social and environmental challenges.
Current data ecosystem — The current data ecosystem in smart cities is such that private companies and governments collect data in silos, with citizens as passive data points. While their quality of life can certainly be improved through this, they are an indirect participant rather than a mutually beneficial stakeholder in the smart city power structure.
Our insights — We found that people generally underestimate and lack knowledge about data collection and that because there is no simple and engaging way to understand data, citizens feel that they can’t exercise data rights. The lack of transparency and sense of privacy generates low trust in institutions and people feel there’s room to create new privacy standards. To feel empowered, they want transparency and a continually accountable relationship with institutions. But transparency isn’t enough - control means a way to act, or in the case of data, the ability to opt-out.
How might we?
Myda overview
Start your relationship with Myda — People need personalised suggestions, to trust organisations with their data and open and honest communication. When you go through onboarding with Myda, you are able to express any sharing preferences you have and can build immediate trust with Myda because we clearly state how and why we use your data -- we don’t!
Take control of your data footprint — The Myda homepage contains your data overview, where instead of being overloaded with information, you are proactively guided to protect your data and shown what to investigate. We simplify how you engage so you’re no longer overwhelmed when approaching your data.
Learn about the data ecosystem — By learning more about the data ecosystem, you can better frame your role and develop a narrative around personal impact. Current data practices aren’t easily understandable, so we provide simple and engaging explanations with an animated video and summary boxes.
Find companies with ethical data practices — Use the directory to preventatively research and choose which companies to use before you sign up and give your data away. The directory helps you make informed decisions between companies and gives you control to opt-out of companies that you already use. If you do want to opt-out, Myda directs you to the specific page. As we don’t link to your accounts, you have to be the one to take final action.
We believe that self-controlled identity must be the core foundation of future smart cities. In order to achieve that, there needs to be avenues for citizen engagement in the data ecosystem, increased individual privacy, and the ability to control one’s data. Currently, the market consists of players who disassociate biometric data through electronic IDs and provide digital safehouses. The market lacks a way for citizens to understand the world of data and how to take control.
Myda fills that gap as a digital assistant that helps people understand the personal impact of data collection and enables them to opt-out where possible. Myda helps citizens more easily approach their personal data, make informed decisions and have a greater peace of mind through:
- Data ecosystem education
- A clear breakdown of who is collecting data and the personal impact
- Proactive guidance to opt-out
With Myda, citizens are more digitally conscious and informed, creating bottom-up pressure for institutions to more widely adopt ethical data collection practices.