Minor Project

12.03.2025

Graciella Limpah / 0364517 

Minor Project / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University 

Minor Project

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JUMPLINKS

Research

Persona

Data Collection

        Sight Visiting

        Survey

        Findings

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LECTURES

What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that integrates the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.
It is not a fixed, linear process; rather, it is iterative, flexible, and adaptive.
It emphasizes understanding the user, challenging assumptions, and redefining problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions.

Key Elements of Design Thinking
IDEO’s Three Phases:

1. Inspiration – Understand the problem and gather insights.
2. Ideation – Generate a range of ideas and potential solutions.
3. Implementation – Turn ideas into tangible products or services through prototyping and testing.

The Design Thinking Venn Diagram:

1. Desirability: What people need and want.
2. Feasibility: What is technically and organizationally possible.
3. Viability: What is financially sustainable and makes business sense.

Additional Principles:
The process encourages divergent thinking (exploring many ideas) and convergent thinking (narrowing down to the best solutions). Tim Brown states that empathy is at the heart of design.

Applications Beyond Product Design
Contrary to the belief that Design Thinking is limited to product design, it has broad applications in healthcare, education, social innovation, and more.
Example: The Embrace Infant Warmer used Design Thinking to create a low-cost, heat-powered solution for premature babies.

The Importance of Empathy
Empathy allows designers to understand the user’s world by observing and engaging with them. It moves designers beyond personal assumptions and toward genuine user insights.

Case examples:

• Cleveland Clinic’s “Empathy” video emphasizes emotional connection in patient care.
• In a coffee shop comparison, the empathetic owner asks users directly and learns that friendliness matters more than speed.

User Research in Design Thinking
Why User Research Matters:

• Good user research leads to data-driven, user-centered designs.
• It reveals users' real needs, behaviors, and motivations.
• Helps avoid risky assumptions based on the designer’s perspective.

Steps in Effective User Research:

• Planning with clear objectives
• Recruiting the right participants
• Collecting and analyzing data

Research Methods:

• Qualitative: Interviews, observations, contextual inquiry
• Quantitative: Surveys, A/B testing, data analytics
• Secondary research: Reviewing articles, reports, and existing data

Tools and Techniques

• Ethnographic Research: Involves observing users in their natural environment; helps uncover behavior patterns and unmet needs.
• Contextual Inquiry: A semi-structured interview method where the researcher observes and asks questions while the user performs tasks.
• User Personas: Fictional, research-based representations of target users; include demographics, goals, motivations, and pain points; help teams humanize and focus on real users throughout the design process; templates like those from Xtensio.com support consistent, data-driven persona creation.

Real-World Examples of Design Thinking Success

• Embrace Infant Warmer: Designed a life-saving product that costs less than 1% of traditional incubators by understanding rural mothers’ needs.
• Jivan Bindi (Life Dot): A culturally relevant iodine-infused bindi addressing micronutrient deficiency in rural Indian women.
• Aarambh Help Desk: Designed dual-purpose cardboard desks that also function as school bags, improving classroom experience for rural children.
• Airbnb: Gained success by deeply understanding both host and traveler personas.

Insights in the Define Stage
Purpose: Convert raw research data into a deep understanding of user needs and motivations.
Insights are not summaries or assumptions—they reveal underlying reasons behind user behaviors.
Strong insights guide the design toward solving the right problem effectively.

Characteristics of a Good Insight:

• Explains why users behave a certain way.
• Suggests an actionable direction for design.
• Goes beyond surface-level observations.

Defining the Right Problem
A Problem Statement / Point of View (POV) should define the challenge from the user’s perspective. It avoids suggesting a solution upfront and focuses on the core issue.

Example of a Well-Framed Problem Statement:
How might we improve the daily commuting experience for urban workers during peak hours?

Importance of “How Might We” Questions:

• Encourages open-ended exploration.
• Keeps solutions flexible.
• Enhances collaboration and creativity.

Structure: How might we + action + for + user + so that + outcome?

User-Need-Insight Framework
User: A specific individual or group.
Need: Expressed as an actionable verb, not a solution.
Insight: The deeper motivation or context behind the need.

What is Ideation in Design Thinking and Its Role?

Ideation is the stage in Design Thinking where creative solutions are generated. It promotes out-of-the-box thinking and collaboration before narrowing down to the best ideas.

Key Techniques:

• Brainstorming: Rapid idea generation with no judgment.
• Mind Mapping: Visual organization of connected ideas.
• SCAMPER: A method to innovate by modifying existing ideas (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, etc.).
• Crazy 8s: Sketch 8 ideas in 8 minutes to quickly explore concepts.

Ideation for the User/Customer Journey Map
A User Journey Map shows a user’s experience over time, revealing emotions, actions, and pain points at each stage. Purpose:

• Identify user frustrations and needs.
• Discover innovation opportunities.
• Align solutions with real user experiences.

Example: For a mobile banking app, journey stages include awareness, consideration, onboarding, and ongoing use—each with specific user actions, emotions, and pain points.

What Are Design Proposal Presentations?
A Design Proposal outlines the project's vision, scope, timeline, deliverables, and terms to ensure client-designer alignment.

Key Components:

• Introduction, Client Needs, Scope of Work, Proposed Solution.
• Timeline, Deliverables, Experience, Cost, Terms, Conclusion.
• Tips: Include visuals, be client-focused, explain design value, and use a clear problem-solution format.

How to Present Convincingly and Effectively
Best Practices:

• Focus on client needs, not just design details.
• Tell a story: Define the problem, present your solution, explain its impact.
• Avoid jargon; translate design into business value.
• Use visuals, be open to feedback, and end with a strong call to action.

How to Create Great Presentation Slides
Slide Design Principles:

• Purpose & Audience: Clear message, evoke emotion.
• Less is More: One idea per slide, use white space.
• Typography & Color: Readable fonts, limited color palette with contrast.
• Visuals & Animations: Use relevant, high-quality images and subtle transitions.
• Data & Storytelling: Use simple charts and infographics to highlight key points.
• Practice & Feedback: Rehearse and refine slides based on feedback.

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INSTRUCTIONS

We are brief with the client's original brief, then we formed a group by choosing which client we wanted to help. My group choose the Wayangmind project. Then, we have our first meeting with our client by zoom to make sure what is Wayangmind about, and we also can asked questions to the Wayangmind team. Our group are focusing on the traveler target audience for this task.

Miro Board

Link : https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVI78F7XM=/

1. Research

Each of our team (7 people) find research from the internet of what is Wayangmind and dump it into a board in miro board. Here is the research part of the miro board : 

fig 1.1 Research

Then, we make a conclusion of the research : 

fig 1.2 Research Conclusion

2. Persona

Since we are focusing on traveler target audience, our persona is also based on that. First of, we make 5 different persona and then make a research of which 3 persona we should choose at the end. Here is the draft of the 5 personas:

fig 2.1 Persona Draft

As we consult to Mr.Mike, we evantually choosen 3 persona which are : 

1. Business Traveler
2. Returning Traveler (International Student)
3. Retired Traveler

Here is the three persona we have done :

fig 2.2 Persona 1

fig 2.3 Persona 2

fig 2.4 Persona 3

3. Data Collection

After doing the persona, we did data collection to know more what each persona needs.

Sight Visiting

On week 6, we do sight visiting to wayangmind office to know more about wayangmind, and we also tested out the VR to help us understand what we feel before and after using the VR.

fig 3.1 Sight Visiting

fig 3.2 Sight Visiting

fig 3.3 Sight Visiting

fig 3.4 Sight Visiting

fig 3.5 Sight Visiting

Summary : 

The user must be accompanied by a therapist or a counselor to use the VR.
Facilitated by a therapist and not done alone; just as a tool but not a total solution to their issue - not a promise to heal but a piece of information / how effective

Platforms/Services in Wayangmind (future projects included)
App - audio, daily progress tracking
Spatial - immersive space ; therapy session based on experience, discussion based on how they feel (music festivals, similar setting in the sky to familiarize beforehand)
Vr - with audio guide around vr experience

Survey

To gain more data from the persona targeted, we did a survey to know what actually people are feeling and to collect data. Before passing out our survey form, we did question draft to let Mr.Mike check it first. Here is the questions draft : 

fig 4.1 Survey Question Draft

fig 4.2 Survey Question Draft

Then, we move to the google form to spread it out. Here is our final questions: 

We separated the questions into 3 different personas. So each personas have different questions. 

fig 4.3 Survey Question Final

After recieving the answers from the three personas, we summarize each one questions and from all those questions, we make a summary of the whole survey.

Survey Summary:

The data reveals a strong preference among solo and business travelers for emotional support and stress-relief tools during their journeys, particularly at airports. Over three-quarters of respondents value emotional calmness or focus when traveling alone, and 90% are drawn to the idea of a quiet, emotionally comforting space in the terminal. A similarly high number expressed interest in trying simple relaxation apps or immersive VR rooms with calming visuals or short games to ease travel-related anxiety. Delays, crowds, and unfamiliar spaces are major stressors, and most travelers prefer relaxing activities like eating, drinking, and watching videos during layovers.

The importance of a friendly, casual, and easy-to-use design is emphasized repeatedly, with 100% of respondents valuing clear instructions and a visually simple interface. These findings highlight a clear opportunity for the development of wellness-oriented, user-friendly digital tools designed to support travelers’ mental well-being.

Business travelers, in particular, face regular stress and fatigue due to frequent travel, long security lines, and lack of privacy or rest areas. They show high willingness to use calming apps or branded relaxation tools that could improve productivity or emotional clarity. Preferences lean towards safe, familiar, and senior-friendly brand personalities, with ease of use and comfort being top priorities.

Endorsements by mental health professionals, a clean UI/UX, and social proof are all cited as important trust factors. Nearly all respondents would choose an airport or airline that offers relaxing digital or physical spaces, and many would use technology-based stress relief tools if they are intuitive and accessible. This underscores the importance of designing travel wellness solutions that are inclusive, approachable, and tailored to older or stressed travelers, offering comfort through simplicity and emotional reassurance.

Findings

After we done with the survey summary, we continue to fill up the findings part on the miro board before doing the proposal slide.

fig 5.1 Insight Discovery

fig 5.2 POV and How Might We

Problem Statement (POV) : 

Solo-traveling international students need emotional support during stressful moments, as they seek calm, safe spaces to ease anxiety.

How Might We : 

1. How might we create emotionally supportive environments for solo-traveling international student so that they feel calm and less anxious during solo journeys and long layovers?
2. How might we build trust and emotional reassurance for solo-traveling international student so that they feel safe, confident, and cared for while traveling alone?
3. How might we design simple, intuitive experiences for solo-traveling international student so that they can navigate travel confidently without additional stress?

Continuing to answer the how might we questions before doing the proposal slide: 

4. Proposal Slide

After doing the proposal slide and presented it, we continue on doing the mockup for WayangMind. We separated our tasks into a Gantt Chart to make it easier.

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REFLECTION

After going through this 14-week Minor Project module, I have learned a lot not just about project development, but also about how to work in a team and navigate real-world challenges.

One of the biggest lessons for me was time management. With so many tasks to juggle and a team to coordinate with, I learned how to prioritize my responsibilities and stay on track. I also gained valuable experience in communicating with clients, especially when translating ideas into something more concrete and actionable.

At first, our group struggled because we were a bit lost and unsure of what direction to take. But after our first presentation and the guidance we received from Mr. Mike, everything started to become clearer. Breaking down the project and dividing tasks among the group helped us work more efficiently and stay organized.

Overall, this module gave me a better understanding of how the real world works from creative development to team collaboration and responding to feedback. It was a challenging yet meaningful experience that helped me grow both personally and professionally.