The Detroit River is a vital part of the local community, rich in history and personal experiences. However, there existed a gap in sharing these stories and connecting people to the river's narratives. Our client - the Detroit River Story Lab (DRSL) aimed to bridge this gap by providing a platform for the community to contribute, learn, and engage with the tapestry of stories surrounding the Detroit River.
Inspired by longstanding local efforts to resurface submerged stories along the river corridor, the Story Lab collaborates on site-specific projects to promote environmental stewardship, place-based identity, and regional integration.
While there are many localized projects to elevate local heritage, there is currently no coordinated effort along the Detroit River corridor for the sharing of personal and historical experiences, narratives, and community contributions.
The student team created a product that compiles text, video, photo, and auditory files into an adaptable mobile-accessible web app, encouraging site-activation, awareness, and engagement with some of the lesser-known stories behind the river’s continuing importance to local communities.
View DRSL Web App before reading the behind-the-scenes! On the website, create an account to read, write, and review the user stories around the Detroit River.
Poster Presentation on UMSI Exposition, April, 2024.
Poster Presentation on UMSI Exposition, April, 2024.
Left to right: Haoyue Wen, Ziyan Zhou, Prarthana Shevatekar, Ceciel Zhong, Xinran Cao, Leo Yeh
Our team was composed of developers and UX designers. We practiced Agile methodology throughout the project, conducting sprints, self-organizing, and utilizing Scrum ceremonies like sprint reviews and retrospectives. By working Agile, we were able to move faster, clearing roadblocks, eventually achieving and exceeding project goals.