04.02.2025 - 25.02.2023 (Week 01 - Week 03)
Gam Jze Shin / 0353154
Major Project / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Instructions
We then utilized Google Docs to compile our ideas and finalize our group name, 'Dora & Friends.' We chose this name because our project centers around exploring activities, and Dora, as a well-known explorer, aligns perfectly with our concept.
Subsequently, I created a FigJam link for our group to collaboratively document our ideas. Xiao Hui developed a template using sticky notes, with each note labeled by team member, ensuring a clear and organized presentation of our contributions.
Once we finalized all the information, I sent it to Mr. Shamsul for confirmation. As the group leader, I also volunteered to create our project timeline. However, I was unclear about the distinction between project development and the project timeline. Consequently, I sought clarification from Mr. Shamsul via WhatsApp. Following his response, we proceeded with the next step which is preparing the interview questionnaire.
Following the consultation, we opted for
non-probability sampling, specifically
purposive sampling. This approach enables us
to select participants with pertinent
experience and valuable insights, maximizing
data quality while minimizing time. I had
specific target users in mind, whom I
contacted directly to schedule interviews.
This method allows us to gather detailed and
focused information, which is more effective
than random sampling.
My second interviewee was Natalie Chan, a pharmacy student at Monash University. Due to her demanding program, she often studies at Starbucks and frequently expressed feeling stressed. She desired companionship for outings to relieve stress but struggled to find someone available. Based on this, I requested an interview, which we conducted via Zoom at night after her classes, accommodating her busy schedule.
My third interviewee was Brian Lau, a manager. He mentioned that his demanding work schedule limited his social activities, with his free time primarily spent with family. He expressed a desire to expand his social circle, aligning with our target audience who seek to enrich their lives through shared activities. I invited him for an in-person interview at Taylor's campus. This format allowed for better observation of body language, facial expressions, and gestures, providing deeper insights into his emotions and reactions. In-person interviews also facilitate more genuine and detailed feedback.
After having result from the interviewee, I documented the results on sticky notes within FigJam, allowing my group members to review them.
Subsequently, Xiao Hui and I discussed and jointly determined the sampling method
Using the interview results from all team members, we created an affinity diagram. Following online research, we established key subtitles and then categorized interviewee responses into related groups.
Since Task 01 required an individual slide, I searched for a suitable template on Canva. I wanted a modern yet interesting aesthetic and chose this particular layout as it combined fantastic visuals with a contemporary feel. Therefore, I utilized it as my template.
After confirming the layout, I added all necessary information to the slide. Balancing aesthetics and clarity took considerable time. However, I enjoyed the slide creation process and am satisfied with the result.
Final Proposal Development
Figjam Board Link
Feedback
T1: Proposal Development Minor Project
Index
1. Instruction
2. Task 1: Proposal Development
3. Feedback
4. Reflection
fig 1.1 Major Project MIB
T1: Proposal Development Minor Project
For this module, our group was assigned a project
to develop a proposal addressing a current issue.
Our initial tasks included:
- Finalizing the project title and group name, and establishing a timeline and project development plan.
- Identifying a problem/issue, defining the project aim and objectives, and outlining the targeted users.
- Developing a 'How Might We' (HMW) statement.
- Conducting user research
- Synthesizing user interview data using an affinity diagram to identify user insights.
During the first lecture, we received a briefing on
the module structure and project requirements.
Subsequently, we formed a four-person group based on
our UI/UX specializations. My group members:
- Gam Jze Shin (Myself)
- Liew Xiao Hui
- Janice Tan Wan Xuan
-
Wong Kai Xin
Progress
We then initiated a brainstorming session via
WhatsApp to explore and share potential current
issues for our project.
fig 2.1 Brainstorm ideas on WhatsApp
During our initial tutorial, Mrs. Wong outlined the assignment
requirements and informed us we would be
assigned individual supervisors. Mr. Shamsul
was assigned as our supervisor, and he
subsequently scheduled consultation
timeslots for our group. He then inquired
about group leader. As no one volunteered, I
assumed the role.
We presented our brainstormed ideas to Mr.
Shamsul, and he approved our final concept:
'The struggle to find fun activities that
match one’s mood, energy, time, and budget.'
He also suggested exploring the Reclub app,
which he uses to find pickleball partners, for
inspiration.
fig 2.2 Title in Google Docs
We then utilized Google Docs to compile our ideas and finalize our group name, 'Dora & Friends.' We chose this name because our project centers around exploring activities, and Dora, as a well-known explorer, aligns perfectly with our concept.
fig 2.3 Proposal Development
Subsequently, I created a FigJam link for our group to collaboratively document our ideas. Xiao Hui developed a template using sticky notes, with each note labeled by team member, ensuring a clear and organized presentation of our contributions.
During our subsequent consultation with Mr.
Shamsul, we presented our project title, aim,
objectives, target users, and HMW statement.
He revisited our selected problem and
suggested that 'The Uncertain Career Path
(Young People Struggle to Define Their Future
Jobs)' was also a viable option. While I had
initially proposed this topic, and was open to
it, we had already invested significant effort
in researching 'The struggle to find fun
activities that match one’s mood, energy,
time, and budget.' Therefore, we expressed our
preference to continue with the latter. Mr.
Shamsul advised us to further refine our
understanding of this topic to solidify our
project direction.
fig 2.4 My project ideas in figjam
We came up with solutions to this subject
together. My idea was to develop a mobile
application that would address the problem
by offering customized activity
recommendations, reminder alerts for
events, and a check-in system that
incorporates gamification. I believe a
check-in system with rewards would
motivate users to use the app
repeatedly.
Learning from my encounter with the
Weplay app, an application that
establishes user connectivity based on
playing together online, I proposed
implementing corresponding features in the
app to generate community and alleviate
the concern on hand.
fig 2.5 Conversation with Mr.Shamsul
Once we finalized all the information, I sent it to Mr. Shamsul for confirmation. As the group leader, I also volunteered to create our project timeline. However, I was unclear about the distinction between project development and the project timeline. Consequently, I sought clarification from Mr. Shamsul via WhatsApp. Following his response, we proceeded with the next step which is preparing the interview questionnaire.
fig 2.6 Final Interview Questions
Each team member created their own initial set
of interview questions.
fig 2.7 Empathy Framework
Each team member created their own
initial set of interview questions. Then,
I requested an online meeting with Xiao
Hui to finalize our interview
questionnaire. We aimed to collaborate
effectively, as time for interviewing
participants was limited. Following Xiao
Hui's suggestion, we used the empathy map
as a framework to design our interview
questions, believing this would yield more
valuable and effective results. We
developed our interview ideas
collaboratively within Figma.
fig 2.8 Conversation with Mr.Shamsul
Following the finalization of the interview
questionnaire, I sent it to Mr. Shamsul for
confirmation. He approved it and reminded us
to document the interviews with photos or
recordings as proof. I then informed the
group and set the next Thursday, February
20th deadline (11:59 PM) for completing the
interviews. This timeline was necessary to
allow sufficient time for summarizing the
interview data and synthesizing user
insights using an affinity diagram to
identify key patterns.
During our Week 3 consultation, Mr. Shamsul
advised us to include a detailed project
timeline, specifying dates and individual
task assignments. However, as most tasks
were completed collaboratively, we were
unsure how to proceed. He suggested creating
a list to clearly differentiate individual
and group contributions. Additionally, he
inquired about our interview process and
target interviewee selection. He recommended
using a sampling method to ensure we reached
relevant participants. He also noted that
both online and in-person interviews would
be suitable, given our project's focus on
busy individuals.
fig 2.9 Purposive sampling
Link references for sampling methods: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling-methods/
fig 2.10 Interviewee 1 Proof
My first interviewee was JinTong, a
university student studying in Kedah. I
recalled her mentioning the limited
entertainment and difficulty finding
activities there, making her a suitable
participant for this study. Due to her
location, we conducted the interview online
via Zoom. She shared her experiences and
perspectives on the challenges she faced in
that environment.
fig 2.11 Interviewee 2 Proof
My second interviewee was Natalie Chan, a pharmacy student at Monash University. Due to her demanding program, she often studies at Starbucks and frequently expressed feeling stressed. She desired companionship for outings to relieve stress but struggled to find someone available. Based on this, I requested an interview, which we conducted via Zoom at night after her classes, accommodating her busy schedule.
fig 2.12 Interviewee 13Proof
My third interviewee was Brian Lau, a manager. He mentioned that his demanding work schedule limited his social activities, with his free time primarily spent with family. He expressed a desire to expand his social circle, aligning with our target audience who seek to enrich their lives through shared activities. I invited him for an in-person interview at Taylor's campus. This format allowed for better observation of body language, facial expressions, and gestures, providing deeper insights into his emotions and reactions. In-person interviews also facilitate more genuine and detailed feedback.
fig 2.13 Interviewee's Response
After having result from the interviewee, I documented the results on sticky notes within FigJam, allowing my group members to review them.
fig 2.14 Sampling Methods
Subsequently, Xiao Hui and I discussed and jointly determined the sampling method
fig 2.15 Affinity Diagram
Using the interview results from all team members, we created an affinity diagram. Following online research, we established key subtitles and then categorized interviewee responses into related groups.
fig 2.16 Project Development
We added the interviewee responses to the affinity diagram. While waiting for other members to contribute, I updated the project timeline with specific dates. Then, Xiao Hui created the project development plan, which I then refined for comprehensiveness.
fig 2.17 Slide's Template
Since Task 01 required an individual slide, I searched for a suitable template on Canva. I wanted a modern yet interesting aesthetic and chose this particular layout as it combined fantastic visuals with a contemporary feel. Therefore, I utilized it as my template.
fig 2.18 Final Slide Style
After comparing, I opted for a light background. I changed the original dark background to light to enhance the slide's readability.
fig 2.19 Final Slide Process
After confirming the layout, I added all necessary information to the slide. Balancing aesthetics and clarity took considerable time. However, I enjoyed the slide creation process and am satisfied with the result.
Final Proposal Development
Figjam Board Link
Google Docs Link
Task 01 Individual Slide
Click here to view the task 1 final
presentation slide.
fig 2.20 Task 01 Final Individual Slide
Week 1
Mr. Shamsul
initially guided
us to focus on the
problem: 'The
struggle to find
fun activities
that match one’s
mood, energy,
time, and budget.'
He recommended
researching the
Reclub app as a
relevant example
and a tool because
he personally uses
for finding
activities like
pickleball.
Week 2
During our second
consultation, Mr.
Shamsul suggested
shifting to an
alternative problem:
'The Uncertain Career
Path (Young People
Struggle to Define Their
Future Jobs).' He
highlighted the broader
scope this topic offered
for exploration and
solution development. He
also expressed concerns
regarding the inclusion
of 'mood' in our
original problem
statement, citing its
psychological complexity
and the potential
difficulty in addressing
sensitive issues like
depression. He advised
us to either narrow our
focus to a single
aspect—mood, energy,
time, or budget—or
incorporate additional
app features to ensure
sustained user
engagement, similar to
platforms like Instagram
or Facebook.
Furthermore, he
recommended focusing on
either physical or
online activities for a
more structured
approach. Finally, he
encouraged us to find a
shared interest within
our group to re-evaluate
the topic. After
refining our proposal,
Mr. Shamsul approved it
and deemed our 'How
Might We' statement
effectively crafted.
Week 3
During our
subsequent
meeting, Mr.
Shamsul
provided
feedback on
our project
timeline and
development
plan. He
requested
the
inclusion of
specific
dates in the
timeline and
the
allocation
of tasks to
individual
team members
within the
project
development
section. He
emphasized
the
importance
of ensuring
our
interviewees
were within
our targeted
age range of
18-24, even
though the
app’s
potential
user base
extended
beyond this
demographic.
He explained
that
focusing on
a specific
age range
for our
target users
would allow
us to tailor
our research
and design
more
effectively.
To
facilitate
this, he
recommended
locations
such as
Starbucks or
Taylor’s
University
for
conducting
interviews,
as these
environments
would
provide
easier
access to
our target
audience.
Additionally,
he advised
us to employ
a specific
sampling
method to
ensure
targeted
data
collection.
To minimize
bias, he
suggested
that if we
interviewed
friends, we
should have
other group
members
conduct the
interviews.
Reflection
Initially, I felt uncertain about the
project's direction and lacked clear
guidance. Fortunately, after our first
week, we were assigned Mr. Shamsul as our
supervisor, and his consultations provided
much-needed clarity.
As this project is group-based, I
initially anticipated challenges due to
differing perspectives and the potential
for communication delays and
misunderstandings. However, I've learned
that effective communication is paramount
for successful group collaboration. By
maintaining open communication, we've been
able to complete tasks efficiently. As the
group leader, I've strived to fulfill my
responsibilities and leverage my skills to
foster team cohesion and
collaboration.
This major project module has some
similarities to my previous minor project
module. Drawing upon my experiences from
that module, I've been able to apply and
refine those lessons in this project. I
have reinforced the importance of thorough
observation and research in UI/UX design
before solution development. We must also
actively solicit and incorporate feedback
to understand diverse perspectives. Only
through this iterative process can we
create a truly effective and user-friendly
outcome.
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