5-3 Market Research and Problem Statement

Lesson 5-3: Market Research and Problem Statement

Objective: Research Apps and Websites related to your app and Create a Problem Statement

Design Project Guidebook Pages: 14-17

Engage

What are some apps or Websites that relate to your topic?

Market Research

Finding Similar Apps: Use an Internet search to find existing apps or websites that address your topic. Identify the target user, what features you like, and how to improve the app or site to meet the needs of your user. (Design Guidebook pages 14-15)

Discovery Summary

Review your notes from interviews and market research, and summarize what you've learned so far. (Design Guidebook page 16)

Write a Problem Statement

A problem statement is a tool to help innovators focus on the most important things to solve for. On Design Project Guidebook page 17, create a problem statement to guide the design of your project. First, identify who your users are and their needs. Then, incorporate a key learning or insight that you gained from interviewing their students (from the Discovery Summary, Design Project Guidebook page 16.)

Example of a Problem Statement:

(your audience or group of users): Students who care about endangered species need(s) a way to (your audience’s need): easily find out about the animals that need the most help because (your insight, or what you learned in research): they would like to participate in activities to save the animals.

Tips for creating a Problem Statement:

• • It should be phrased as a question

    • Problem statements that start with “How might we…”, or “What can we do to…” encourage us to think creatively about solution generation.

  • It should not impose limitations

    • At this point, you don't need to worry about technical, financial, time constraints, or other challenges. While we always want to build a product that is realistic and usable, listing those out now can be a block to creative problem solving.

  • It should be actionable

    • Use strong verbs, like “How might we teach…”, or “How might we provide…” Active verbs provide additional information, and better describe the intended use of the app.

  • It should be specific

    • Creating specific problem statements can actually generate more solutions. Be specific about the job to be done and the people that you’re designing for.

  • It should be succinct (brief and clearly explained)

    • The problem statement provides the clarity and focus for the project.

Example Guidebook Pages

Close-Out

Consider the following questions:

• • What did you learn from your interviews and research that you plan to incorporate it into your project?

If you finish early: Design Challenges

Design You Own:

• • Design your own Nike’s http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/nikeid

  • Design your own Vans http://www.vans.com/custom-shoes.html

  • Design your own font: http://www.fontifier.com

Everyday Object Design Challenge

Design a Chair! (For Simpsons Characters).