Minor Project

(Week 1 - Week 14) 

Aisya Diva Anwagodsa (0365505) 

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

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Table of ContentsgLectures

• Lectures
• Instruction
• Task 1
• Final Submission
• Task 2
• Final Submission
• Task 3
• Reflection

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Lectures

Week 1: Introduction to Design Thinking

Design Thinking is introduced as a problem-solving methodology that prioritizes human needs and creativity. It is a non-linear, iterative process that helps tackle complex challenges by focusing on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing. The week emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation, setting the foundation for understanding how Design Thinking can be applied across various industries and scenarios.

Key takeaways:

• Overview of Design Thinking as a human-centered, iterative approach to problem-solving.
• Emphasis on empathy, collaboration, and creativity in addressing complex challenges.

Week 2: Empathy in Design Thinking

Empathy is the cornerstone of Design Thinking, as it involves deeply understanding the users' needs, emotions, and experiences. This week explores techniques such as interviews, observations, and journey mapping to uncover insights about the target audience. By stepping into the users' shoes, designers can identify pain points and opportunities, ensuring solutions are truly user-centered.

Key takeaways:

• Importance of understanding user needs, emotions, and experiences.
• Techniques like interviews, observations, and journey mapping to build empathy.

Week 3: Defining the Problem

This week focuses on synthesizing the insights gathered during the empathy phase to frame a clear and actionable problem statement. A well-defined problem serves as a guide for the rest of the design process, ensuring efforts are focused on addressing the right challenges. The problem statement should be specific, user-focused, and open-ended to encourage creative solutions.

Key takeaways:

• Framing the problem statement based on insights gathered during the empathy phase.
• Ensuring the problem is user-focused and actionable.

Week 4: Ideation

Ideation is the phase where designers brainstorm and generate a wide range of ideas to solve the defined problem. This week introduces techniques like mind mapping, SCAMPER, and "How Might We" questions to foster creativity and innovation. The goal is to think beyond obvious solutions and explore diverse possibilities, setting the stage for prototyping.

Key takeaways:

• Generating a wide range of creative ideas to address the defined problem.
• Techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, and SCAMPER to encourage innovation.

Week 5: Prototyping

Prototyping involves creating tangible representations of ideas to test and refine them. This week emphasizes the importance of rapid, cost-effective prototypes that focus on specific aspects of the solution. Prototypes can range from sketches and models to digital mockups, allowing designers to explore concepts and gather feedback quickly.

Key takeaways:

• Creating tangible representations of ideas to test and refine them.
• Focus on rapid, cost-effective prototypes to explore solutions.

Week 6: Testing Prototypes

Testing is the phase where prototypes are presented to users to gather feedback and evaluate their effectiveness. This week highlights the importance of engaging a representative sample of the target audience to ensure insights are relevant. Testing helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, guiding the iterative refinement of the solution.

Key takeaways:

• Gathering user feedback to evaluate and improve prototypes.
• An iterative process to refine solutions based on insights.

Week 7: Iteration and Refinement

Iteration is a continuous process of improving the solution based on user feedback and testing results. This week emphasizes the importance of embracing feedback loops to refine prototypes and address user needs more effectively. Iteration ensures the solution evolves to become more user-centered and impactful.

Key takeaways:

• Importance of continuous improvement in the design process.
• Using feedback loops to enhance the solution and address user needs effectively.

Week 8: Risk and Assumption Testing

This week focuses on identifying and testing the riskiest assumptions in the design. By creating prototypes that target critical uncertainties, designers can validate or refute assumptions early in the process. This approach reduces risks, ensures the solution is viable, and builds confidence in the final design.

Key takeaways:

• Identifying and testing the riskiest assumptions in the design.
• Using prototypes to validate critical aspects and reduce uncertainty.

Week 9: Implementation and Feedback

The final week covers the implementation of the solution in real-world contexts and the collection of post-implementation feedback. This phase ensures the solution is practical, effective, and aligned with user needs.  Feedback gathered during implementation helps identify areas for further improvement, ensuring the design remains adaptable and successful over time.

Key takeaways:

• Preparing the solution for real-world application.
• Collecting post-implementation feedback to ensure ongoing improvement and success.

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Instruction

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Task 1 - Propose an innovative project proposal as a group.

Research

During the first week, we were given a brief about the module and learned that we should form a group (containing students from different specializations).  This whole module will be about how we help our clients in solving their problems with our ideas.  Now, before we started forming a group, on the first day, Mr. Mike gave us a presentation slide containing projects that we would work with as below: 

From all the available projects, students were allowed to choose one that interested them and form groups accordingly. Since I was particularly interested in working with Taylor's Impact Lab on The Night School Project, I signed up to be part of that group. 

At the beginning of this task, each group member conducted individual research about the Night School Project so that, as a team, we could compile a well-prepared and focused list of questions to raise during our meeting with the Night School Project representatives.

Miro Board Link

Below is the information I gathered about The Night School Project: 

 

Fig. 1.1 Contextual research by me

Contextual Summary (from all of the group members):

Fig. 1.2 Contextual research by all group members

Persona

After doing the contextual research, we're deciding on the persona based on the research we have done.  Based on the research, we made personas that potentially to be the target audience for this project:

1. Educators: They are the ones who work closely with students/refugee children.
2. ALC's Head of Communication: The person who works in ALC and handles communication.
3. Students majoring in education: Could be potential educators who would work in ALC.
4. Corporate employee: Potential part-timer teacher in ALC.
5. Volunteer: Potential part-time worker in ALC.

Fig. 1.3 Persona 1

Fig. 1.4 Persona 2

Fig. 1.5 Persona 3

Fig. 1.6 Persona 4

Fig. 1.7 Persona 5

At the same time, we conducted an interview with our first interviewee, Mr. Syukur, an educator from the United Arakan Institute Malaysia (an ALC). He was also a trainee in The Night School Project in 2023. During the interview, he shared his experience participating in the training and provided valuable feedback on the project. As a former trainee, his insights were especially meaningful for us, as they can guide us in identifying areas for improvement and better supporting the project’s goals. He also spoke about the challenges of working with refugee children, particularly the limited facilities available in their learning environment.

For the persona development, we received feedback from Mr. Mike to refine and narrow down the number of personas, especially since our interviews would need to align with them. After careful consideration, we decided to focus on three key personas:

1. ALC owner: Closely work with educators in ALC and need a program to train the teachers.
2. Volunteer teacher: Potential educators in ALC.
3. Advocate for inclusive education: Passionate about helping people in education.

Fig. 1.8 Persona draft 2

Fig. 1.9 Persona draft 2

Fig. 1.10 Persona draft 2

Final Submission 1

We conducted an interview with Ms. Cassie Seow, the Head of Communication at El Shaddai, where we gained insights into how the ALC system operates and the challenges they face, particularly the difficulty in finding trustworthy partnerships, especially when it involves free training programs. We also interviewed the ALC owner of Blessed Learning Center, who shared struggles related to funding, limited internet access, and a shortage of teachers. Based on these interviews, we refined and finalized our personas. Here are our final personas:

1. ALC Teacher: They are the ones who work closely with students or refugee children.

2. ALC Owner: Person who manages the ALC and deals with challenges like funding, internet access, and teacher shortages.

3. ALC Head of Communication: Person who works in ALC and handles communication.

Fig. 1.11 Final Persona

Fig. 1.12 Final Persona

Fig. 1.13 Final Persona

As we are finished with the persona, we need to present our proposal to The Night School Project as below: 

Fig. 1.14 Finalized proposal

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Task 2 - Devise and produce design management protocols relevant to industry practices

In Task 2, we aim to develop the design based on our proposal, specifically the design direction from Week 6 to Week 14. During this process, we selected color schemes, graphic elements, and fonts. Below is our draft for the design direction:

Fig. 2.1 Design direction draft

Color palette

Fig. 2.2 Color palette

Orange: #F15A22

Blue: #003268

White: #ffffff

Yellow: #EEC33C

Typeface

Heading: Poppins

Body text: Poppins

We also divided our task in Gantt chart to make work more efficient:

Fig. 2.3 Gantt Chart

I am fully in charge of designing the Instagram awareness posts. The purpose of creating awareness content on Instagram is to increase the visibility of the Night School Project. Since the project already has an Instagram account, keeping it active helps maintain engagement with current followers and attract new visitors, ultimately raising awareness about the initiative.

There will be two posts based on the user journey map that we created:

• Announcement: A poster design (1 slide) informing about the upcoming workshop
• Explanation about TNS: carousel post telling the audience about the night school project, their vision, what they're doing, and the benefits (carousel post), maximum 5 slides.

Our design elements are prioritizing geometrical shapes because The Night School Project operates in the education field, where such shapes are often used to develop spatial reasoning, enhance problem-solving skills, and foster a deeper understanding of the world.

• Circular shapes: Symbolize unity, community, and shared learning experiences.
• Rectangular shapes: Represent structure and process, reflecting core concepts taught in education and the organized flow of learning.
• Triangle shapes: Depict key relationships in the learning process, emphasizing connection and progression.

Below is my progress: 

Fig. 2.4 Announcement post progress

• First draft: The first design is very different from the others, and the color application is incorrect.
• Second draft: Need to incorporate shapes into the design and emphasize the key information to be delivered in the post.
• Third draft: still not consistent with the other application.
• Fourth draft: Use a bright background and incorporate shapes into the design to align with the overall visual direction.

Fig. 2.5 Explanation about TNS draft 1

• First Draft: The design still needs improvement. The geometric shapes should play a more integral role in the design rather than appearing as a background template.

Fig. 2.6 Implementing shapes to the design

In the first draft, the shapes were added without being thoughtfully integrated into the design. This issue was also present in other applications by group members. After identifying this, we began improving our designs to ensure the shapes became a more intentional and cohesive part of the overall visual.

Fig. 2.7 Explanation about TNS draft 2

• Second Draft: The design lacks coherence with the other applications and needs more consistency, especially across each slide.

Fig. 2.8 Explanation about TNS draft 3

• Final Design: The final version is simpler and more consistent with the overall design of the other applications.

Final Submission 2

In the middle of the process, our group decided to use Figma as the design platform so everyone could collaborate on one page, making the workflow easier for us. Below is the final result:

Fig. 2.9 Awareness post - Announcement

Fig. 2.10 Awareness post - Explanation About TNS
Slide 1

Fig. 2.11 Awareness post - Explanation About TNS
Slide 2

Fig. 2.12 Awareness post - Explanation About TNS
Slide 3

Fig. 2.13 Awareness post - Explanation About TNS
Slide 4

Applications designed by another group member:

Fig. 2.14 Advocacy post by Alya

Fig. 2.15 Advocacy post by Alya

Fig. 2.16 Decision post by Alya

Fig. 2.17 Decision post by Alya

Fig. 2.18 Final Logo by Sahibur & Sheryne

Fig. 2.19 Brochure Front by Sheryne

Fig. 2.20 Brochure Back by Sheryne

Fig. 2.21 Business Card Front by Sahibur

Fig. 2.22 Business Card Back by Sahibur

Website

Sponsorship Booklet

Fig. 2.23 Website by Velicia & Dea Natasha

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Task 3 - Final Presentation

As for the final part, we present all of our results to the clients. Below is the final presentation:

Fig. 3.1 Final Presentation

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Reflection

Experience: At the beginning of this module, I had mixed feelings and often doubted myself. I didn’t expect it to feel this overwhelming. However, as time went on, with the support from my colleagues and guidance from Mr. Mike, I managed to keep up with the progress. I tried my best to contribute insights and ideas to help the project run smoothly.

Observation: I realized that working in a group is quite challenging. Since this module simulates how things work in the industry, I learned that managing the team and maintaining synchronization is crucial. One of my biggest challenges is maintaining consistency in design. My mind often generates new ideas (which can be a strength), but I had to learn to follow the established direction, since we’re working as a team.

Findings: In the real world, especially when working with clients, it’s important to understand them deeply, almost like knowing your favorite spot in town. Although finding the right information about the client can be challenging at first, it’s essential in crafting the right solutions for them. This module also taught me how to interact with clients and how to present ideas in a compact, straightforward way so it’s easier for them to trust and work with us.

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