Labels

Minor Project

24.09.2024 - .2024 (Week 1 - Week 14)

Low Li Vern/ 0362678

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

INSTRUCTIONS



Week 1
In the first week of the Minor Project class, Mr. Mike provided an overview of the entire course and explained the requirements. We were instructed to form teams, with the condition that no team could include more than two students with the same specialization. Once the teams were formed, we were tasked with discussing and deciding on the project we would like to work on.

My team decided to work on the second project, which is from the Expedio company. The project focuses on the X-Board, a portable whiteboard designed by Expedio.


We started by using a Miro board to share all our ideas and track our progress collaboratively.

Week 2
This week, we were assigned to gather key information about Expedio, including their company background, product details, target audience, and competitors. My specific task was to collect information and explore Expedio's websites to learn more about the company.

1.Company Background


2. Target Audience



3. Competitors



Week 3
This week, Mr. Mike arranged a meeting with our client, Expedio. The session provided us with a clear understanding of their needs and all the information necessary to move forward. Following the client meeting, our group leader, Caiyi, organized a small group meeting to discuss the questions and answers from Expedio. We analyzed the information to determine how best to position the X-Board for our project.



Week 4
This week, Caiyi assigned me the task of creating the survey questions. After finalizing the questions, we began distributing the survey to our target audience with the goal of collecting responses from at least 80 participants by next week.



Week 5
For week 5, we successfully collected 80 responses from four target audiences: agile workspaces, creative teams, educational institutions, and families. The task of gathering responses was handled by my teammates, as I had already completed the survey question development earlier.

Fig 1.1 Survey Analysis

Fig 1.2 Summary

Summary:
Demographic Information
  • The majority of respondents are within the target professions of creative teams and agile workspaces.
  • The age range shows that both younger and older professionals are giving feedback, which means the product's usability and appeal will be looked at from different viewpoints.
  • The nearly equal gender distribution will help ensure the X-board design considers diverse needs.
General Information
  • The main target spaces for selling whiteboards are classrooms, offices, and studios,with projectors, screens, and whiteboards as key tools.
  • Whiteboards are frequently used, especially for project planning, presentations, teaching, and brainstorming.
  • There is moderate interest in whiteboards with space dividers, with most users neutral and a significant positive preference.
Product Preference
  • The survey results indicate a positive reception for the X-Board’s design and functionality, with users valuing its smooth writing surface, mobility, and adaptable design for varied workspaces.
  • The existing features, such as a premium, easy-to-erase surface and lightweight mobile design with lockable casters, already align well with these preferences.
  • However, users also expressed interest in enhancements like magnetic surfaces for document attachment, adjustable height for ergonomic flexibility, and built-in storage for organization. Implementing these additional features would elevate the X-Board, making it an even more versatile and user-centric solution for flexible and dynamic work environments.

Feature Evaluation
  • The X-Board’s one-side whiteboard and one-side soft board design, paired with its mobility, makes it well-suited to the expressed needs of this audience.
  • To successfully market it, the X-Board should focus on showcasing its flexibility and customization options, such as modular accessories, swappable panels, and potential add-ons, particularly its suitability for both brainstorming and document display needs.
  • Highlight its built-in storage and adjustable size as future-proof options for adaptable workspaces. Engaging users with hands-on trials could help demonstrate its value in meeting evolving workspace needs.
Purchase Intent
  • The survey shows that most potential customers lean towards an affordable price for the X-Board, generally preferring options under RM500.
  • While many express a reasonable interest in purchasing, a portion remains undecided, suggesting they might need more convincing (They are more inclined to make a purchase if the whiteboard features a smooth writing surface, offers convenient storage options, and comes with helpful accessories.).
  • There is also a balance to strike between affordability and added features, as some customers are willing to pay extrafor accessories or customization.
  • Notably, the most important factor influencing buying decisions is the board’s features and functionality, with price also playing a significant role, whereas brand reputation and peer recommendations are less impactful.
Product Opinion for family
  • Currently, many children rely on digital tools like tablets for learning, while traditional methods like pen and paper are far less common.
  • Although whiteboards are relatively popular in learning, parents remain cautious about purchasing them.
  • Our survey indicates that while some parents see potential in whiteboards and digital tools, most only express a tentative interest, suggesting they might consider buying but without strong commitment.
  • They generally view the value of whiteboards as dependent on specific features, rather than as an essential learning tool.

Additional Feedback
  • Feedback reveals several issues with traditional whiteboards, including quick ink depletion of markers, difficulty in cleaning, and permanent stains.
  • They also lack magnetic surfaces, have unuser-friendly designs(dangerous for kids), and are not easy to move.
  • Users suggest enhancements such as adding recording and projection features, automatic cleaning, and digital tool integration.
  • In terms of design, users prefer adjustable heights, good stability, and portability, along with improved lighting and storage space.(Soft lighting can be added around the frame of the whiteboard, will be more convenience and easier to see and refer back to information on the whiteboard at night)
  • The data shows that 80% of users do not want product updates, while 17.5% are willing to provide their emails for further information.
Week 6
This week, we focused on insight discovery after collecting and analyzing the survey data. We summarized our findings and presented them to Mr. Mike. During the discussion, he noted that we were emphasizing the features of the X-Board too heavily. He advised us to shift our focus towards convincing people who have never used a product like this to give it a try. Taking his feedback into account, we refined our insights and progressed to the problem statement stage.

Fig 2.1 Insights Discovery

Fig 2.2 Problem Statement

Fig 2.3 Goal Statement

Week 7
In Week 7, our group discussed the art direction for our first presentation to Expedio. We started brainstorming ideas for the logo, website, and overall concepts to present to the company.

Logo Design

Fig 3.1 Logo sketch

Fig 3.2 Logo White

Fig 3.3 Logo Colour

Fig 3.4 Logo Black

My teammate, Junteng, sketched the design for the logo, and I animated the logo using After Effects.

Fig 3.5 Logo GIF

Poster

Fig 3.6 Poster Design

Week 8
This week 8, we had a presentation to Expedio, with each group given 15 minutes to present our research, analysis, and ideation. Our group was one of the last two to present, so we practiced via Zoom beforehand. I assigned each team member their respective sections to present, and we all worked on and rehearsed our individual parts.

Week 10
This week, we brainstormed ideas together and selected the most relevant and practical ones. We then focused on refining our new journey map to better align with the “How might we?” statement. During our discussions, we covered key aspects such as the number of content posts, the timing of posts, and the frequency of paid ads.
Fig 4.1 New User Journey Map
Fig 4.2 Summary of Content Ideas 

Week 11
In Week 11, we began discussing all the ideas with our teammates and selected the best concept for our final design, which includes Instagram posts, stories, and other content. We focused on creating a consistent design across all formats, including the posts, videos, and website, as it's essential for the designs to look cohesive and connected.


After deciding on the art direction for the design, I began working on the Instagram posts for the giveaway, bundle package, and testimonials. I created several design variations to compare. Additionally, I designed a Linktree for our group to streamline our online presence.








Link for linktree: https://linktr.ee/x.board

Week 12
In Week 12, our group leader, Caiyi, planned to shoot teaser videos using the real X-Board provided by Expedio. We arrived early at Taylor’s University to film the videos. For the shoot, my teammates were assigned roles as workers in creative teams to simulate real-life scenarios. I was the cameraman for this session, and we had written the script beforehand to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Video Outcome :




Behind the scene : 




Week 13
This week, we focused on website design, TikTok video editing, and booth design. We completed the editing for two TikTok teaser videos and finalized the homepage and product overview for the website. Before class ended, we shared our progress with each other, provided feedback for improvements, and presented our work to Mike. Mike gave us feedback on our presentation slides, advising us to move the "How Might We" section to the front. He also suggested that we list out which posts should be scheduled for each week.

Final Presentation G6 by Group 6

Week 14
In Week 14, we were assigned to present our final presentation on 6th January 2024, at 2 pm. Our group held a final meeting to prepare for the presentation. We completed all the PowerPoint slides and double-checked that the design and information were aligned with our goals. It was a nervous experience preparing for the presentation.

Fig 5.1 Final Presentation

Fig 5.2 Final Presentation

Fig 5.3 Feedback from Expedio

Following our presentation, Mr. Toru shared his feedback, expressing that he found our strategy of incorporating small giveaways through a competition to be a strong approach. He also conveyed his overall approval, noting that he was impressed with both our ideas and videos.

REFLECTIONS
Week 1
In the first week of our Minor Project class, Mike introduced us to three companies collaborating with Taylors, along with their project needs. At first, our group was unsure which project to choose, but we felt both the Daikin and Expedio projects would suit our team since we have more UI/UX students. Ultimately, we decided on the Expedio project because we saw more opportunities for development and creativity. Once we selected Expedio, our team organised a Google Drive and created task documents to gather and review information efficiently. Our team leader also divided tasks among the group, which proved to be much more effective than working individually. Expedio has four specific target audiences, so we need to stay focused on these groups. However, finding detailed information about their product has been challenging, as they currently have just one promotional video. This part of the project helped me learn how to effectively research a company's background and identify which aspects of the company's information are most important. It improved my ability to focus on relevant details that will guide our project development.

Week 2
Week 2, we showed our information that we researched to Mike and he gave us feedback on what we should really focus about. During our consultation, we realised we had mistakenly analysed competitors by company instead of by product, which we quickly corrected. Finalising our contextual research gave us a much deeper understanding of Expedio, and it felt satisfying to gain clarity that will help us develop a more tailored promotional strategy. After collecting the information, we start to focus on creating a user journey map, empathy map, and user persona to better understand consumer behaviour and pain points. This experience taught me that design should prioritise the customer’s needs, not just our preferences. Understanding the audience is crucial for creating useful, impactful solutions. Through this experience, I learned the importance of thorough research and the value of understanding the subject in depth before starting any task. Moving forward, I plan to invest more time in research to ensure that I have a solid foundation before beginning the next task. This will help me make more informed and effective decisions throughout the project.

Week 3
For Week 3, we began working on personas and identifying our target audience. My task was to create a survey questionnaire in Google Forms for our four main target groups: creative teams, agile workspaces, educational institutions, and families. I started by drafting questions for our primary audiences, which are creative teams and agile workspaces. Additionally, I developed a different set of questions tailored for the family persona, as their needs and responses would vary from the other groups. Through this task, I learned the importance of tailoring questions to fit the needs and characteristics of each target audience. Crafting specific questions for different groups allowed me to gain more relevant insights, which will be useful for creating user-centred designs. I also observed that clear and focused questions help generate meaningful feedback, which is crucial for understanding audience behaviour. This experience emphasised how critical it is to adjust approaches depending on who we are designing for.

Week 4
In Week 4, I began working on the user journey map, which allowed me to visualize how different personas interact with the product and identify potential pain points or areas for improvement. This process helped me understand the importance of empathy in design, as considering the unique experiences of users is vital to creating solutions that truly address their needs. While I worked on the user journey, I also focused on data collection, aiming to gather at least 50 responses from four distinct user personas. Though it was easy to collect responses from peers and students, reaching workers and individuals outside my social circle proved challenging due to our limited access as students. Despite these difficulties, I persisted and expanded my network, ultimately achieving the target. This experience taught me the value of persistence and adaptability in research, as engaging with a diverse audience is essential for obtaining comprehensive user insights. Moving forward, I plan to continue seeking diverse input in future projects, ensuring my designs are inclusive and reflective of various user needs. This approach will be fundamental in my growth as an Animator, enabling me to create user-centered work.

Week 5
In Week 5, our team began analysing the 80 responses gathered from our target audience. Each of us was assigned two categories to examine, allowing us to explore different aspects of the data in detail. Working together, we summarised each section and gained clearer insights into what users enjoy about the X-board and their interest in additional features like accessories. It was interesting to see how our assumptions about user preferences aligned with real feedback. Analysing this data highlighted specific areas where we could improve and clarified what users value most. This process underscored the importance of user feedback and gave us a hands-on opportunity to improve our data analysis skills.

Week 6
In Week 6, we consulted with Mr. Mike on our insights discovery from last week. He questioned whether we assumed Google Form participants understood the purpose of a whiteboard, and we clarified that we didn’t assume prior knowledge but provided an image to help with understanding. This feedback helped me realise the importance of not assuming product knowledge and shifting our messaging to highlight the product’s value for non-users. We then refined our user persona, skipped the user journey map as advised, and focused on finalising the problem statement. This insight is useful for refining our marketing approach, and I’ll apply this focus on user education in future projects. After that, we began preparing for our Week 8 presentation, recognizing the need to tailor our messaging and emphasise user education in our marketing strategy.

Week 7
In Week 7, our group focused on the ideation phase, which involved creating a promotional strategy, designing a logo, and developing a website layout for our presentation to Mr. Toru in Week 8. I worked on designing the slides while others focused on the website and logo. Before jumping into design, we decided to gather visual references and create a moodboard on Miro. This helped us establish a consistent color scheme and visual style for all the design tasks. By starting with references, we made the design process smoother and ensured everything, logo, website, and promotional materials was cohesive.My task for this session is to design a logo and animate it. I found this approach really helpful, as it saved us time and kept our designs aligned. In future projects, I will definitely start by gathering references and creating a moodboard to maintain consistency and make collaboration easier.

Week 9
For Week 9, our focus was on progressing with the new journey map project. Our team leader assigned specific tasks, and I was responsible for one of the journey steps. Before we started, we held a meeting to align on the key content for the X-board. During this session, we discussed the main pain points and brainstormed potential solutions, which helped ensure everyone was on the same page. The brainstorming session led to generating ideas and identifying touchpoints for each step of the journey. I was impressed by my teammates' dedication and research, which contributed innovative ideas that enhanced the quality of our work. This collaborative process made it easier for me to summarize the information and organize it in the Gantt chart.

Week 10
We presented our new journey map to Mr. Mike, who provided us with valuable feedback. He recommended using keywords on our website to improve Google and suggested ideas for a "physical demo opportunity," such as booth designs, interactive workshops, and hands-on product testing. After making the necessary adjustments based on his advice, we finalized the journey map. We then moved on to planning our Gantt chart and dividing tasks among the team. This experience taught me that thorough planning is crucial for any successful project. I realized that taking the time to brainstorm, gather feedback, and refine ideas results in better outcomes than rushing into execution. Additionally, I learned how to incorporate new concepts like SEO optimization and interactive user engagement to strengthen our strategy. These insights are not only useful for this project but will also help me approach future work with a more structured mindset, ensuring I allocate ample time for planning, feedback, and brainstorming.

Week 11
Week 11, we had a meeting to discuss the next steps and finalize the ideation and moodboard for the project. Our group leader assigned different tasks, and we began working on the content and design. I was responsible for creating the Instagram post for the giveaway and also helped with filming the video. It was a collaborative process where we focused on refining our ideas to ensure the final presentation was aligned with our vision.

Week 12
For this week, Caiyi and I handled the filming while the rest of the team focused on their tasks. We used a CapCut template for a teaser scene and worked on the Instagram cover post design. This experience taught me the value of organization and teamwork in content creation. Planning the shoot, assigning roles, and using tools like CapCut made the process efficient and smooth. It helped me see the bigger picture of marketing and branding while improving my technical and leadership skills. In future projects, I’ll apply structured planning and clear communication for smooth execution

Week 13
This week, I focused on designing the Instagram post and assisting with the cover page design. Once the post was complete, I created a mockup for the social media presentation slides to clearly present our plan to the client. Afterward, we received valuable feedback from Mike, who emphasized the importance of staying true to our project's vision. This week highlighted the significance of collaboration and constructive feedback in refining our work. Aligning our designs with the "How Might We" statement helped keep our project on track.This week's tasks helped me understand how to improve the flow of our presentation by focusing on presenting the details clearly. Working on the Instagram post, mockups, and presentation slides allowed me to see how each element contributes to making the information more digestible and engaging for the client.

THE END
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts