The design thinking ideology asserts that a hands-on, user-centric approach to problem solving can lead to innovation, and innovation can lead to differentiation and a competitive advantage.
This is my first design project where I put my brains to solve on having best environment for bedroom.
Being sleepyhead as always, I choose to redesign BEDROOM with insights from the users to understand their perspective and immerse in their perspective not having biased thinking of my brain. Without a problem statement , I framed few random questions IT WENT LIKE THIS…..
HOW — THE PROCESS
Step 1-Empathize
Conducting research to develop the understanding of my users ,i.e, their needs, do, think, feel.
Framed few 5 questions and it went to 12 questions and long conversations not only about design of BEDROOM and also their interests for making beautiful bedroom.
User Interview Questions
Describe about your day , how does it start?
Are you Married? If yes, kids? If yes, how many?
If no, do you live with your family?If yes?how many? If no, single? If no, flat mates?
Incase in your bedroom — can kids, spouse, flatmates, family can enjoy it?
Are you a working professional?
Do you sit for long hours on laptop?
Does your room have enough air flow? Does indoor plants make you room pleasant ?
Do you find charging point where you mix your work in your bedroom? Do you have enough space for your work station?
Do you like to get ready next to your bed and mirror ,having with huge wardrobe?
Do you like to do binge watching in your bedroom after a stressful day?
Do you like to enjoy nature view after rain?
Step 2 -Define
Combing my research and observe where user’s problem exists, pinpointing my user’s needs, begin to highlight opportunities for innovation.
Understanding likes/dislikes of bedroom, extra space, extra ventilation, a beautiful view while sipping coffee, little work space, wardrobe and quick distance to bathroom.
Here comes problems in User’s Perspective —
“When I see my bedroom, I should be able to relieve my stress and fall on the bed”
“Comfortable cot and mattress, would prefer big cot”
“I live in metro city ,space is always a constraint , would like to have attached bathroom”
“I prefer vastu, always my head should be on South of my room”
“I need enough sunlight in my room, where I can breathe fresh air and open balcony door and enjoy beautiful view but not breathe polluted air”
“I like to watch Netflix after stressful day at work or after house hold chores but not on mobile or Laptop , preferably big screen”
“Sometime I tend to have my food in my bedroom watching movies, involved in office work or reading a novel”
“Preferring to have compact work space and also nap in between calls and all day meetings”
“I don’t have enough space for my clothes or my blanket or I don’t know where to hang my bag”
“A table or rack for my chargers, mobile, wallet, keys”
“I tend to forget things , wish i could have blackboard on the wall”
“I love to my most cheerful memories captures on wall”
“Play area for my kids or smart/compact cot for my teenage kid’
“A sit out chair and table for sipping coffee with spouse”
“Being bookworm need book rack instead of wardrobe”
“Lights — can be operated from mobile based on mood”
Step 3 -Ideate
Brainstorm a range of crazy and creative ideas that address the unmet user’s needs. At this phase bring my idea together and put effort on my brains
Well I could get many ideas and my CRAZY IDEAS are:
- Huge Windows with sliding doors with enough safety for fresh air and also having another window to other side of the wall for air flow.
- Wall mounted TV for some relaxation time.
- Compact Work desk.
- Chair or Sofa.
- Bed with storage facility.
- Wardrobe with mirror and hanging option.
- Laundry basket in corner.
- Wall sticker to do list, photo frames for memories.
- And indoor plants in the balcony.
Step 4 -Prototype
Building real representation of my ideas. My goal is to understand what will fit of my ideas and what not.
Impact of my ideas is through weigh them through feedback on prototype
My top 3 ideas:
1.Difficult to get maximum ventilation or sunlight — painting rooms with light color, huge windows where doors opening outside with safety rails and airflow, having indoor plants where no much maintenance is required
2.Cots with storage to avoid big wardrobe for clothes or other storage
3.Small holder/rack under TV to place electronic items, wallet
Step 5 -TEST
Return to my users for feedback. Asking ‘Does this solution meet users’ needs?’ and ‘Has it improved how they feel, think, or do their tasks?’
After getting the feedback from users, I felt like , could have added or removed or modified.
- Remote Control blinds which can be operated with remote or mobile phone
- Could not accommodate sofa or compact cot for kids
- Wall mounted work table and compact book rack
- sofa-bed-wall decor ,more space availability
- No change of lights based on mood
Conclusion
I enjoyed the process and could pull out my creative skills. Being first project, I’m pretty sure a few ideas came from my own imagination.
We can’t solve all the problems stated by user. We need to understand what the user really wants through open ended questions and understand common pain points and try and give a solution.
PS-Prototype done with Ikea toys, color paper for plants and TV, walls with sweet box