Phygital
Introduction
The project, part of an Erasmus+ initiative, involves creating a "Phygital" tool with Tree company, Levuur, Sint-Niklaas, DYPALL Network, and Danes Je Nov Dan. This tool combines physical and digital elements to better engage young people in policy discussions, overcoming the limitations of solely physical or digital methods by providing an interactive and accessible experience.
Project Overview
The project aims to design a "Phygital" tool for engaging young people in decision-making, usable by various organizations like municipalities or sports clubs. Initially, it will be tested with a youth council gathering opinions on local elections. A second case will show the tool's broader use. Young people (ages 17-25) will use the tool to provide feedback, with facilitators assisting but not using the tool directly. Local organizations will manage their projects on the platform, while overall administration will be handled by entities like Tree company and Levuur.
Objectives
- Engage Youth: Design a tool that combines physical and digital elements to effectively involve young people in decision-making.
- Versatile Application: Ensure the tool is adaptable for use by various organizations, such as municipalities and sports clubs, for gathering youth feedback.
- Enhanced Feedback Collection: Develop a system that facilitates comprehensive input on policy issues and other relevant topics through user-friendly interactions.
- Broader Reach: Demonstrate the tool’s effectiveness through initial and additional case studies, proving its applicability in different contexts.
Technology Stack
- Cross-Browser Compatibility: Ensure the web application works on all major browsers and platforms, with responsive design for tablets and smartphones.
- Microsoft .NET Framework: The development framework used for building the application.
- C#, HTML/CSS/JS: Languages utilized for software development, including server-side and client-side programming.
- Automated Deployment: Deployment managed via scripts on Google Cloud, with considerations for versioning, backups, and monitoring.
- Maintainability and Scalability: Code written for easy maintenance and future expansion, avoiding hard-coded configurations. Documentation follows standard best practices.
Challenges and Learnings
- Google Cloud: Gained experience with cloud deployment and management.
- Automation: Developed skills in automating deployment processes and workflows.
- Linux: Improved proficiency in using Linux environments for development and deployment.
- Writing Instructions: Enhanced ability to create clear and effective documentation for code and processes.
Conclusion
This project enhanced my skills in cloud deployment and automation. It provided practical experience with Google Cloud, while also improving my ability to document and manage complex systems. Overall, it deepened my understanding of integrating physical and digital tools, preparing me for future technical challenges.