Sian Stone Pearn

Biography

Hiya, I’m Sian, born and raised in Waikato.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been passionate about creativity, and in high school, I discovered my love for design. When I realised I could build a career out of something I genuinely enjoy, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.

My experience as a creative designer has been both fun and fulfilling. Being naturally creative, I find it incredibly rewarding to design for others. Throughout university and in my personal projects, I’ve always enjoyed making things, and now being able to do that professionally is even more exciting. I’ve learned so much during my time at Waikato University, and it’s exciting (but also a bit nerve-wracking!) to see my degree coming to an end.

From the start of my university journey until now, I’ve seen how much I’ve grown both as a designer and personally, but I know there’s so much more to learn. I’m eager to keep refining my skills, taking on new challenges, and growing as a designer overall. Moving into the industry, I’m looking forward to embracing all the learning opportunities that come with this next phase in my career.

Project Description

DefendHER is a collaborative project between myself and Simone Antenor, an industrial designer, aimed at creating a high-quality, user-centered personal safety system for young women and girls aged 15 to 30. The system combines a durable, fashionable safety device designed by Simone with a user-friendly app, which I developed. The app sends immediate alerts to trusted contacts when activated, ensuring women can reach help quickly in vulnerable situations. The app also includes features like live GPS tracking, a group chat for emergency contacts, self-defence tips, and location marking for unsafe locations.

I chose this project because, as a woman, I often feel the need to be on alert, worried about potential dangers. This constant sense of vulnerability can be exhausting, and I know that many women, especially those between 15 and 30, share this experience. Harassment, assault, and violence are too common, taking a significant toll on women’s well-being.

By collaborating with Simone, we aimed to create a solution that not only provides peace of mind but also empowers women to feel more secure in their daily lives. This project is personal to me, as it addresses an issue that resonates with many women, offering a tool to help them feel safer and more confident.

The goal of DefendHER is to offer young women a simple yet effective safety tool that enhances their sense of security, with the app and safety device providing an intuitive, reliable solution in moments of vulnerability.

DefendHER