Introduction to Design Thinking
ENGAGE: THE IDEAL WALLET
Interview (4 minutes)
For the following task, I picked Hannah Vera Tañedo to interview her about her ideal wallet. I questioned her to better grasp the specifics, goals, and wishes and gain insight into the wallet. Hannah said she wanted a bifold wallet with a money slot and cardholder. Typically, it will contain an id, credit/debit cards, cash, and coins. The wallet is black in color and made of leather. A functional design with practical features, such as a pocket for bills, card slots, and a zipped coin compartment on the side, characterizes her ideal wallet.
Dig deeper (3 minutes)
After the interview, I followed up questions with Hannah and noted what she had said to clarify and elucidate specific points. She prefers bifold wallets because they are a perfect size and easy to carry. She can have the wallet in her pocket and store it in a bag. Hannah said the wallet is small since she rarely leaves their home and only uses it for important occasions. She chooses leather as the material for her ideal wallet since it is durable, stain-resistant, and goes with all colors. Hannah carries a lot of cash, primarily cards, because doing so makes purchasing easy and convenient. She also shared that when something catches her eye or sees something adorable, especially when there is a sale in Shopee, she might buy it instantly.
I enquired further about Hannah’s past experiences and her current wallet to learn more about her. She informed me that when she was in senior high, her father bought her a new wallet since the one she used was left on the bus. She has been using it for a while now. When asked what was going through her mind when selecting a wallet, she said that she prefers an expensive one since she thinks it is sturdy and long-lasting.
Goals and Wishes
Hannah wishes a simple, bifold cardholder with a money slot for her ideal wallet. She mentioned that her current wallet has no coin compartment, so when there are coins, it becomes bulky. Hannah is looking for a smaller wallet with plenty of room for cards and bills that could hold a lot and will not be bulky even with all the cash, cards, and slots filled. Hannah’s ideal wallet is something that can keep everything she needs and fits in her purse or bag.
Insights
Hannah’s preference for functional design and ease of use demonstrates how she manages her essentials. Like me, she optimizes organization to keep her valuables safe, secure, tidy, and within easy reach. She is a minimalist who prefers quite expensive products because of their superior quality and durability. She can also be impulsive, which might not be a bad thing given the potential rewards for herself. Hannah’s ideal wallet is a reflection of who she is.
EXPLAIN: TAKE A STAND WITH A POINT-OF-VIEW
Hannah needs a way to work through her problems and prior experiences and has her essentials organized. Surprisingly, she has an odd tendency to misplace her belongings and make impulsive purchases; therefore, she needs a spacious wallet with a unique feature.
Ideate: Generate Alternatives to Test
Problem statement: Hannah needs to solve her past experiences and problems she encountered and has her essentials organized. She tends to make impulse purchases and seems to lose her belonging; thus, she needs a spacious wallet with an innovative feature.
5 Radical Ways
ELABORATE: SHARING SESSIONS
Iterate based on feedback
Build your Solution
Hannah’s Feedback and New Insights
[ + What worked ] Everything is okay, according to Hannah. She liked the wallet’s simplicity and the new design/variation. The color and zipper of the wallet were followed. Everything she suggested last time turned out to be great for her.
[ - What could be improved ] Hannah was contented when I showed her the prototype. She did not wish for further improvements and was satisfied with it.
[ ? Questions ] Hannah did not have further questions regarding the prototype, for as she said, the feedback and suggestions previously already have been implemented.
[ ! Ideas ] Since Hannah liked the simplicity of the wallet, there could be more minimalist choices or designs for other ideas. Smart or innovative features could also be utilized, providing a convenient way to store money, security against theft or loss, and better safeguard credit cards and cash.
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Debriefing questions
- How did talking to your interviewee inform/influence your design?
It made me more empathetic and understood the person or interviewee I’m designing the wallet for. I wanted to find out more about Hannah by asking about the contents of her purse, experiences, and feelings. Talking to Hannah gave me some insights on what I’m going to do/design that will benefit her.
2. How did testing and getting feedback impact your final design?
Sharing and gathering comments helped me make adjustments and improve the prototype while giving me a clearer idea of what Hannah wants to iterate. It provided me with qualitative information that helped me comprehend what her ideal wallet would seem like. Thanks to post-feedback, I adjusted what needed to be in my design for Hannah’s liking and convenience.
3. What was the most challenging part of the process for you?
The most challenging part of the activity was generating alternatives to test. At first, I was unsure what solutions I should create to the problem and the features I should include in the wallet. When creating the prototype, I was about to incorporate my own preferences, but I realized I should be more concerned with Hannah’s needs than with my own. Fortunately, I controlled myself and was able to suppress my feelings.
