Case Studies
Transforming beach safety: From static signs to interactive digital kiosks
An interactive digital kiosk that replaces traditional safety signs with real-time, easy-to-understand information — helping beach visitors stay informed and make safer decisions.
Why static safety signs were no longer enough
Beach safety information traditionally relied on static printed signs. While these signs met risk-assessment requirements, our workshop research showed they weren’t holding people’s attention. Visitors walked past without absorbing key warnings, and many preferred using their phones to get information instead.
This insight formed the foundation for the Smart Blackspot Beaches project — a program focused on reducing drowning risks in high-traffic coastal locations. The first interactive water-safety kiosk is now live at the Lorne Visitor Centre, marking the first installation of its kind in Australia.
Workshops with beach safety experts highlighted a shared need: real-time, location-specific updates that people could quickly understand and access on the go. This early discovery shaped the direction of the project and set the context for the digital solution.
The communication gaps preventing effective beach safety
Workshops revealed several issues that made traditional signs ineffective:
Low engagement — people rarely stopped to read static signs.
No real-time updates — hazards, patrol hours, and conditions changed faster than signage could.
Limited accessibility — visitors needed information in multiple languages.
Content overload — the volume of text made it difficult for beachgoers to identify the most important warnings.
Mobile-first behaviour — beach visitors preferred using their phones to access up-to-date information.
Users also expressed frustration with inconsistent or outdated content and wanted safety information that was clear, current, and easy to understand.
These gaps indicated a broader problem:
The right safety information existed, but people weren’t seeing it — and weren’t seeing it at the right time.
Designing an interactive kiosk that delivers real-time, accessible beach safety information
We created an interactive digital kiosk supported by mobile and desktop versions — a solution shaped directly by user behaviours and stakeholder insights.
A clearer, more intuitive user experience
We moved from low-fidelity sketches to high-fidelity Figma prototypes, focusing on a simple interface with a minimal learning curve. Visitors could quickly see:
live weather and surf conditions
hazard warnings
patrol hours
emergency contacts
educational content on local marine life and environmental impact
Designed for on-the-go behaviour
QR codes were added to allow visitors to transfer information to their mobile devices instantly. This aligned with the growing trend of beachgoers using their phones as their primary information tool.
Accessible to more visitors
We implemented multilingual support, including Chinese, reflecting the needs of the area’s visitor demographics and ensuring everyone could access critical safety information.
Powered by accurate, real-time data
Early prototypes revealed delays and inconsistencies in data feeds. The backend integrations were rebuilt to ensure fast, reliable updates for conditions and hazards. Thorough testing helped validate data accuracy before deployment.
Refined, scannable content
Given the short interaction time at kiosks, we broke down dense information into smaller sections. Interactive elements made content easier to digest without overwhelming users.
Consistent experience across devices
Mobile usability testing revealed layout issues on smaller screens. Further iterations improved readability and navigation, ensuring the platform was reliable on kiosks, desktop, and mobile.
Stakeholder-driven, empathy-led process.
By involving beach safety experts early and setting up a structured feedback loop, we reduced unnecessary iterations and strengthened the final solution. The project’s success is grounded in real user needs and real environmental context.
You might find these helpful
A few related articles that build on what you’ve just read.
