Collaborative Design Practice // Task 1: Empathy Map and Problem Statement

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29.8.2023- 12.9.2023 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Britney Chow Pei Jun / 0350043 / BDCM
Collaborative Design Practice
Task 1: Empathy Map and Problem Statement 

INSTRUCTIONS 


RESEARCH 

Since our group is in charge of G.E.M, which is bamboo cups, we have done some research on it, below is our research:

Pros of using bamboo cups
  • Reducing Unnecessary Waste
  • Save money
  • Reduces Deforestation
  • Keeps Billions Of Cups Out Of Landfills
  • Long-lasting and Reusable
  • Non-toxic and BPA free
  • Highly Durable

Fig 1.1; Oceans Republic Bamboo Products; sauce: OceansRepublic

Fig 1.2; Customized Bamboo Cups ; sauce: OceansRepublic's Bamboo Products

Research on competitors:
  • Bamboo Village Malaysia: 
    • Bamboo Village Malaysia is a notable company that produces a range of bamboo-based products, including bamboo cups. They emphasize sustainability and eco-friendliness in their product line.
  • Bambusa: 
    • Bambusa is a Malaysian brand that specializes in bamboo-based products. They offer various bamboo tableware items, including bamboo cups and plates.
  • Green Home Malaysia: 
    • Green Home is a company that focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable products. They may offer bamboo cups alongside other environmentally friendly alternatives.
  • Local Artisans and Craftsmen: 
    • In addition to established companies, local artisans and craftsmen may produce handmade bamboo cups, often with unique designs and customization options.
  • Imported Brands: 
    • While not direct competitors, imported brands of bamboo cups may also be available in the Malaysian market. These could come from countries with well-established bamboo product industries, such as China or Vietnam.
  • E-commerce Platforms: 
    • Online marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee often feature a variety of bamboo cup brands and sellers, both local and international. These platforms can provide consumers with a wide selection of bamboo cups.
Market Overview:
  • The use of eco-friendly and sustainable products has been on the rise in Malaysia, driven by increasing environmental awareness among consumers. Bamboo cups fall under this category and have gained popularity as an alternative to single-use plastic and disposable cups. 

PROCESS

Task 1: Empathy Map and Problem Statement 

WEEK 1

Fig 2.1; Project Brief by Team 2: G.E.M; (29/08/2023)

After forming a group, we were then showed with team 2's project brief. In order to understand more about the project, we decided to have a meeting with them. However, before that, our group have a small discussion on what to ask The Business School students about the project as well. Below is a list of questions and the answer to them: 

Fig 2.2; Questions & Answers for meeting; (29/08/2023)

After understanding more about the project, I start to have doubts about some of the aspects of the project, for example, the price of the products, the appearance of the products and more. After a small group discussion among ourselves, I realized that most of my team members have the same doubts as me and thus, we decided to consult these problems with our lecturer. In the meantime, we also started working on the empathy map, survey and more. Below is our progression:

During this phase of the task, Jo Min and I are responsible for making the survey.

Fig 2.3; Survey Questions - Draft 

Besides that, Cheryl and Vernice are in charge of the research, while Siew Ni and Eva are in charge of making the personas. Whereas Cecilia started working a little on the art direction. Below is all of our team's progression: 

Fig 2.4; Research on Project; (02/09/2023)

Fig 2.5; Personas; (02/09/2023)

Fig 2.6; Art Direction; (02/09/2023)

WEEK 2

After having consultation with our lecturer, we are clearer on what we needed to do. We decided to have another meeting with them to express and discuss on our doubts. Below is some of the meeting notes: 



Fig 2.7; Meeting notes; (05/09/2023)

Fig 2.8; Survey Questions - Final; (05/09/2023)

Fig 2.9; Survey Question - Distribution; (06/09/2023)

After a few days of collecting responses, Jo Min and I decided that it's time to start analyzing it. We have collected 63 responses in total. Below is our analysis: 

Fig 2.10; Survey Analysis; (10/09/2023)

While analyzing the survey, my other team members have also started on the empathy map. 

Fig 2.11; Empathy Map; (10/09/2023)

With that done, we started to compile all of our progression into a slide and also completed our project document for task 1.

Fig 2.12; Presentation Slide on Week 3; (12/09/2023)

Fig 2.13; Project Document for Task 1 in DOCs; (12/09/2023)

Fig 2.14; Project Document in Slides; (12/09/2023)

FEEDBACK

WEEK 2: 
You need to express your doubts to TBS as the TDS as they are also students and it will wise to have more than just one discussion. You guys have also done good research and should be able to show it to them. You guys can also consider the chance of making a promotional video. For the survey, you have to know about the purpose of the survey, what’s the most important thing if you want to buy a bamboo cup? Art Direction should be at Task 2.  

WEEK 3: 
For task 1, the slides and the presentation are quite clear, however, for your problem statement, it is too general. They survey demographics does not match with the personas you created. You can make amendments for your own future references, but it won't be graded. 

As for task 2, the typeface chosen could be used for the headings for posters, banners, website whatsoever, however, it is not suitable to be the logo typeface. You have to ask the business school students on what they think about the cup designs. The idea you guys suggested sounds good, but you need to discuss further with them. 

NEXT COURSE OF ACTION

WEEK 2: 
  • Finalize the survey and start distribute it
  • Discuss more with TBS on the details of the bamboo cups and all of your doubts
  • Start to prepare the empathy map, the slides and the project document for next week's presentation and submission

WEEK 3:
  • Complete Task 1's blog and weekly assessment by week 4
  • Decide what needs to be done for the branding
  • Create moodboard for branding art direction

SUBMISSION

Fig 3.1 Presentation Slides (12.9.2023)

Fig 3.2 Project Document Slides (12.9.2023)

REFLECTION 

Experience:
This module is very similar to the one that I have taken last semester, which is Minor Project. Initially, I would think that I could at least use some experience I got from the previous semester. However, after going through 3 weeks of the module, I can definitely feel the difference. First of all, the requirements for each task and each step is different, and thus I need to implement new thinking for each required. Furthermore, I also felt that I need to refined more of my skills in order to complete the tasks that needs to be done. I felt that I have gone rusty and my brain isn't functioning the way where it used to. Besides that, it also take me quite some time to understand what the project needs. Nonetheless, this does not stop me from keep producing ideas. I realized that I would sometimes have great big ideas but yet, my execution skills does not meet my expectations, and thus ruin the whole project that I'm working on. However, I want to really improve myself so I could execute the ideas that I have. Also, I would also like to have my teammates' support, as I thought that there's potential in the project and would prefer to "perfect" the project rather than just staying at a acceptable level. I hope I could do better. 

Observation:
I observed that during specific situations, the design school might have more interesting and creative ideas that could help improve the project. During discussion with our partners, I felt that we were able to quickly understand what our partners are saying and also able to provide a solution to it. Moreover, the people I worked with are different, and thus different thinking mindset are needed to be able to understand each other more. However, I also observed that as "designers" we are often indecisive, we couldn't decide on the best solution to our problems, I felt that this is definitely a part that we needs to improve on. Furthermore, I felt that my communication skills have gone up compare to my previous semester, this may be due to my teammates influence, which is very good. 

Findings: 
I often found myself leaving problems be until the very last minute where it needs to be solve. While the problems I put on hold are not on the priority list, however, I think that it is not a habit that I should have as it could get worse. Furthermore, I also often find myself doubting a lot of little details of the project, and thus would sometimes neglect the big picture. Not to mention that I would sometimes have confusion on certain aspects on the project, but yet only put forward my confusion to my teammates instead of our partners. 


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