Using Service Design to Create Smart Jewellery Low-Fi Prototypes for Pandemic Challenges

This chapter investigates the conceptual design and potential use of jewellerylike wearable devices during pandemics, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, via service design facilitation. We report three workshops involving service prototyping held in Norway, Finland and Brazil, where the participants took part in three different activities. First, they participated in an empathybuilding activity that was part of the service design practice. The participants received three images depicting the Covid-19 time challenges and created notes about them. Second, they received a low-fi prototyping kit to create wearable jewellery that could address the challenges discovered. Third, a subset of the concepts was chosen for a more in-depth ideation concerning the stakeholders and services required for the functionality of the wearable device. These wearables aim to assist individuals in navigating the challenges of pandemic times and provide practical applications for everyday use. This research advances the understanding of how to concept, prototype and design human-centric aesthetically pleasing wearables.