penin[soo]la
Seoul, Korea
2021, Senior, Interactive & Multimedia
Project Description: Our app’s main feature is a smart timer that, paired with a minimalist statistical display, allows the user to monitor their water usage and thus make small but meaningful efforts to combat the rise of sea levels. To use the app, the user can simply indicate their action (showering, doing laundry, or using a faucet) by tapping one of the icons on the upper part of the screen, then starting the timer when they start their action. While the timer runs, the user can see an animated “sea level” rise upwards through their screen. When the user is finished with their action, they can press the “done” button, which immediately sends the user’s recorded time to their personal database. Another page in our app displays a week’s worth of data in a colorful bar chart. The user can view details for a specific day (for instance, the specific amounts of water used through each action) by tapping a bar on the chart. The app also provides feedback by displaying the user’s recorded time and water usage for the previous two weeks, indicating any decreases or increases in the numbers and thus allowing the user to adjust their actions accordingly. Finally, an informational page provides a new eye-opening fact regarding sea levels each time the user opens the app, along with a statement explaining the reasoning behind the app’s name and how the user themself can contribute to a global cause.
Reflection
As we grew up, we’ve often heard our teachers, parents, and the media telling us to change our daily lifestyle to save water. However, it was only recently that we were informed of the actual, substantial amount of carbon emission coming from our household water usage. Unsettled by our belated understanding of the consequences of water waste, we felt the need to create an everyday app with clear, tangible reminders for people to adjust their daily water habits. We grew increasingly self-conscious about the amount of water we personally use when drinking water, brushing our teeth, washing our hands, showering, and more. We hope to channel a sense of reflection into this app and convey that even the smallest personal effort can collectively make a lasting difference. In order to make large-scale changes, we, as individuals, must begin small.