Athabasca Design Lab Kiosk Test
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In the heart of Athabasca, where community and innovation collide (the Athabasca Public Library. Where else?), we tested the latest iteration of our Athabasca Design Lab “kiosk.” While we had tested this solution before, it was only a paper prototype. This time, we unveiled adigital version that testers could interact with and click through.
The “kiosk” testing wasn’t just about tech or functionality. It was about connecting people—creating something that reflects the needs, dreams, and the grit of the community. The name is in scare quotes above because it may not yet describe what we’re trying to accomplish: a tool that connects Athabascans to the information they need to thrive in the community.
The menu was simple: services, things to do, places to stay and eat. But behind these options lay a conversation about accessibility, real-time needs, and how both digital and analog tools can connect people to the help and information they need, when they need it. From emergency housing to mental health support, and yes, things to do, the kiosk was designed to address real, urgent needs and test our assumptions about how to bridge gaps in both information and care.
The insights we gained were sometimes surprising. One tester, who wasn’t tech-savvy and didn’t have access to the internet or a cellphone, was amazed at how easy the interface was to navigate. Although initially skeptical, she felt she would use the tool if it was free during her regular trips to the library. Another tester worried that travelers passing through might not easily find the services they were looking for. All this feedback was invaluable.
The best part? This wasn’t just a session of tech geeks and designers; it was a group of people who live and breathe the community. We gathered in the perfect place for such a conversation—the public library—to refine, rethink, and ask the tough questions: Does this solution serve the people we are trying to help? Does it reflect the needs, the culture, and the spirit of Athabasca?
The testing session was a success, but more importantly, it was a conversation—a snapshot of what happens when a community doesn’t just sit back and wait for change. We’re proud to see this project come to life and are excited for the next steps.
If you're curious and want to learn more about the prototyping stage in design process, check out the guide on our social innovation portal here.
Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.
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Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of our journey to promote reconciliation, we would like to honour the truth of our shared history and acknowledge Treaty 7 territory and the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, that includes the Kainai, Siksika, and Piikani First Nations.
We acknowledge the traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations. We would also like to recognize the Métis people, and the Inuit people who have made their home here in Mohk’insstsis, also known as Calgary.
