Phase 1
Phase 1 is based on analyzing and exploring the challenge. Initially, an interview was done in order to get insights into the participant's needs and preferences. Following the interview, research was done about topics that the case owner was interested in and struggled with. Leading to some potential design directions for the object. The information that is provided below, you will find a more detailed explanation of Phase 1.
Interview
Initially, an interview was done to gain a better understanding of the case owner background. The case owner is an international person born in Vietnam but living in the Netherlands for over a 10 years but frequently travels back to Vietnam during the summer. She works remotely as a medical researcher, typically from 10 am to 6 pm. Outside of work, she enjoys drinking tea, bouldering, cooking and finds scooters and bikes enjoyable.
During the interview, the case owner expressed struggles with maintaining productivity. She tends to lose track of time while engrossed in her research, leading to decreased productivity. It was also clear during the interview that she felt more comfortable when questions were focused on specific topics, indicating difficulty in responding to broader questions. This observation suggests that while she may easily become distracted, she demonstrates high talkativeness when tasks have direct objectives. This correlation aligns with her tendency to lose track of time. Hence, it indicates her preference for focused rather than broader activities. She also mentioned that one of the challenges she faced in bouldering was grip strength.
The main thing that was discussed during the interview was that she didn't have issues with being international. While it is true that she mentioned she was learning Dutch, she does not view it as a problem. She said she feels at home in the Netherlands and prefers living there because there are more opportunities than in Vietnam. She said that incorporating aspects of her cultural background into the product could be a meaningful approach of her culture.
For more information about the interview can be found in the link below.
Research
Research was done in order to understand and obtain more information about important topics that were discussed in the interview. This process helps to identify opportunities for improvement or innovation, whether it's about improving existing objects or creating new ones. Overall, the interview had valuable insights, highlighting several potential areas for further research. This an overview of the topics that were researched about :
Vietnamese culture: Considering the user's country of origin is beneficial as Vietnamese elements could be implemented into the design of the product.
Bouldering: The user expressed an interest in this activity, suggesting the potential for developing a product for this hobby.
Time Management: The user acknowledged challenges in staying productive and on track, indicating a need for solutions in this area.
Cuisine (Vietnamese and Italian): Cooking is a significant interest for the user, with a focus on integrating Vietnamese and Italian cuisines.
E-bike/Mopeds: The user mentioned an interest in scooters and biking, suggesting potential opportunities to explore design ideas related to these modes of transportation.
Research process
Directions
From the research, several areas of interest and struggles of the case owner were explored. However, the most promising topics were time management, Vietnamese culture and Bouldering. The main key points from the research are the following:
Vietnamese culture
National flower is the the Lotus flower
National animal is the water buffalo
The emphasis on family, community, and Confucian values is demonstrated during Tet Nguyen Dan, a Lunar New Year celebration marked by family reunions and ancestor worship.
Time management
People use various time management skills and methods to enhance their work and maintain a work-life balance.
Mindfulness and relaxation practices, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, to reduce stress, enhance concentration, and improve overall well-being.
Pomodoro technique time management method.
Bouldering
Bouldering can be done outdoors or indoors on rearrangeable climbing holds.
Bouldering is a form of rock climbing without safety ropes or harnesses, relying on climbing shoes, safety mats, and chalk for ascent. It offers both cognitive and physical challenges, enhancing balance, techniques, and strength.
Essential equipment includes climbing chalk, shoes, mats, brushes, and finger tape.
A product could be created that has the lotus flower and water buffalo, symbolizing Vietnam's national flower and animal. It can also symbolize the values of family, community, and Confucian traditions observed during Tet Nguyen Dan.
A product could be designed to visually represent time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, in an aesthetically pleasing manner. This product could incorporate elements of Vietnamese culture to integrate the user's cultural background into the design.
A product could be designed to be used at home in order to improve grip strength while incorporating a learning aspect. For example, it could be a bouldering grip strength trainer with Dutch language learning features. This provides a fun and interactive way to enhance grip strength and language skills simultaneously.
Based on this research, rough direction ideas were created
- Bamboo direction
This direction is focused around time management, offering a visual way to help the case owner in becoming more organized and prioritizing tasks effectively. The bamboo sticks that represent tasks or activities planned for the day. They grow by adding water, with every glass representing a percentage of progress. If the tasks are taking too long, the sticks can turn from green to yellow or some of the sticks can fall off if the schedule is too demanding. Therefore, the idea behind this direction is to help her in managing her time effectively, while also incorporating elements of Vietnamese culture through the use of bamboo.
How does this direction idea help the international participant:
As mentioned before, in the interview she mentioned struggling with time management. This direction idea aims to help her in enhancing her time management efficiency visually. Additionally, elements of her culture, such as the Bamboo, are incorporated into the design as she expressed that integrating her cultural elements might be meaningful to her.
2. Lotus flower direction
This direction is also designed to enhance her time management skills and also incorporates elements of Vietnamese culture through the use of the Lotus flower. The idea is to divide tasks using the Pomodoro technique. So essentially it is an object that follows the Pomodoro technique and is now translated into a design solution. First, you estimate how long a task will take. Then, you attach a part called a pole, filled with sand, to the device. The weight of the water keeps the device closed. As time passes, the water slowly drains out, making the device open up. When it's fully open, it signals with either sound or light that the time needed to finish the task is up.
Therefore, it works like a timer, where the flower gradually opens as time passes, and when it's fully bloomed, it signals that the chosen time for the task is up. It's used as a time management tool that could help users allocate time effectively for tasks by using the Pomodoro technique.
How does this direction idea help the international participant:
This is another way to help her improve her time management efficiency but instead of using the Bamboo a Lotus flower is used instead.
3. Bouldering direction
This direction idea involves integrating a bouldering practice board with Dutch language learning, designed for home use. The board features a screen running a language learning program, with finger holes corresponding to different answer options for questions. By placing your hand in the correct hole, the screen indicates if your answer is right or wrong. This interactive setup not only enhances finger strength but also provides an engaging way to learn Dutch.
How does this direction idea help the international participant:
This direction is different from the others. During the interview, the case owner did not express any discomfort regarding her international background. However, language barriers often cause discomfort for internationals, and since she's learning Dutch, this direction was created. This provides a fun and interactive way to enhance grip strength and language skills simultaneously.
Phase 1 provided valuable insights from the case owner which enabled the creation of potential directions for the final concept. This analysis and research served as a reference point for Phase 2. The directions were used in the co-design session, allowing the participant to provide feedback and suggestions on what direction she preferred. For more explanation of the development of these directions can be found in Phase 2.