A month in, she’s realized her idea might have to shift its focus. GreenHouse staff encouraged Nicole to talk with potential clients early on. “It turns out people don’t go out of their way to use public spaces, or if they do it’s either to get alone time or to spend time with friends.” Nicole adds, “Architects, planners, and urban designers often have ideas we think will benefit users, but in reality they may not.”
The feedback has helped Nicole pursue a related idea: While such an app might not reduce isolation, many local leaders see this as being a great way to make public spaces more engaging – so Nicole is moving forward with an interactive game-based app that would allow users to explore their urban environments through augmented reality. Right now, she is in the process of recruiting talent to help build it.
The GreenHouse space has also helped Nicole be more focused in her project development. “You make decisions on your own, but GreenHouse offers expertise and experience to guide the way. Mentors didn’t spell things out, but they cautioned me about making huge assumptions, and have been very helpful in providing me with support and encouragement, pointing me toward potential target audiences.”
At the same time, GreenHouse has also been a place that has pushed Nicole out of her comfort zone.
"If I had done this on my own, I might not have had the courage to do what I’ve done — and I wouldn’t have gained the knowledge I did.”
If you would like to help build the app, please contact n29yang@uwaterloo.ca