Technology Solutions for Disaster Management: FPT Design’s Mark at CEATEC 2024

As natural disasters become increasingly complex, the development of technological solutions for prevention and timely response has become a top priority for many NGOs around the world. With extensive experience in UI/UX design, FPT Design collaborated with N. – a long-time client – to develop a prototype for a disaster information management system. This product was showcased at CEATEC 2024 in Tokyo in October 2024, offering a technological solution aimed at building a safer and more sustainable community.

The project involved four team members from FPT Design, with Ms. Doan Thi Tam (FSOFT.DES) leading the main work with the client. Ms. Tam shared, “This was a major challenge, not only requiring creativity in design but also ensuring high usability, especially in emergency disaster situations”.

Initial Difficulties and Challenges with the Current System

From the outset, the FPT Design team faced numerous challenges while performing a comprehensive audit of N.’s old product. The limitations of the current system included:

• Lack of consistency and intuitiveness: Interface components such as icons, color schemes, and layouts were inconsistent, making it difficult to convey information quickly in emergency situations.
• Accessibility limitations: The design was not user-friendly for individuals with special needs, especially in the high-stress environment of a disaster.
• Insufficient responsiveness: Warnings and critical information were not clearly displayed under low-light conditions or chaotic environments.

These issues not only impacted the user experience but also reduced the effectiveness of the system in supporting disaster response efforts.

Approach and Improvement Solutions from FPT Design

Recognizing the issues outlined earlier, the FPT Design team developed a structured working strategy to prevent recurring mistakes, focusing on three main factors:

• Comprehensive product audit: The team conducted a detailed analysis to identify interface and user experience issues. This process helped pinpoint weaknesses that needed improvement, leading to the development of an appropriate optimization plan.
• User-centered UX optimization.
• Improving accessibility: FPT Design applied WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards to ensure the interface was user-friendly for everyone, including individuals with special needs.
• Increasing intuitiveness: Icons and notifications were redesigned to be simpler and clearer, enabling users to easily recognize them, even in emergency situations.
• Enhancing responsiveness in emergency conditions: The team developed a high-contrast color palette optimized for disaster situations. Colors such as red, yellow, and green were strategically used to improve recognition and enable quick responses.

Results and Impressions at CEATEC 2024

The product prototype (sample model of the system) garnered special attention at CEATEC 2024, not only from potential clients but also from industry experts. The system was highly praised for its intuitiveness and its ability to effectively communicate important information during complex disaster simulations. The project not only helped FPT Design leave a significant mark at the exhibition but also opened up new collaboration opportunities with NGOs and businesses in the technology field.