Student Projects
2019
Master Dissertation: Enhancing User Experience for Disruptive Innovation in a Traditional Market
Project Description
My master dissertation investigates user experience (UX) and customer behaviors related to a new, disruptive product innovation in a traditional market. Given the confidential nature of the project, the emphasis here is on the methodological approach used to achieve the research objectives. The primary goal was to develop a comprehensive UX framework to analyze and enhance the user experience of the disruptive innovation compared to traditional products and competitor offerings. This process involved various research and design techniques to ideate and validate future concepts, ultimately improving UX across the entire user journey and facilitating the adoption of disruptive innovation in a market where user experience is a significant barrier. The end result was a future concept, or a “north star,” that was able to retain or improved the traditional experiences while retaining the benefits of the disruptive innovation, guiding future product iterations in a product roadmap.
Approach
- Conducted thorough scientific and market research to understand users, market type, and the product's intended purpose.
- Examined competitors' products in the disruptive innovation category and identified reasons for poor adoption rates.
- Established the importance of UX as the root cause for poor adoption rates, highlighting that features alone were insufficient motivators for customers. To leverage the advantages of the technology, the user experience needed to better reflect the target group's needs.
- Identified and analyzed key stakeholders for the product redesign and the overall project.
- Engaged stakeholders to gather insights and align project objectives.
- Analyzed traditional products and the emerging disruptive innovation.
- Defined problems and challenges through user interviews, feedback loops, and interaction analysis.
- Examined behavioral economics and market reactions to the disruptive innovation.
- Established specific challenges based on the analysis and prior research, both at the product level and as design challenges for conducting thorough UX research within a short time frame and with low investment.
- The dissertation moved in parallel with the client's high-paced product development cycles, necessitating a UX design process that fit their timelines.
- Recognized the need for a UX framework for rapid but thorough UX research and design, incorporating scientific-based testing and evaluation with minimal R&D costs. This framework needed to be generally applicable to future design cycles and non-specific to any single market.
- Developed a UX framework based on prior UX methodologies within scientific literature, rooted in the human-centered design process, and structured it into three phases: research, ideation, and evaluation.
- The first phase focused on understanding user requirements and context at product, user, and contextual levels, leading to the development of interaction characteristics (or insights/principles).
- The evaluation phase involved measuring three types of perceptions across multiple experience time frames, providing a holistic view of the user's experience across time and customer journey phases.
- Employed various techniques such as competitor analysis, usability testing, and user requirement interviews.
- Created five archetypes (types of personas), conducted field studies and user observations, and mapped customer journeys.
- Identified interaction characteristics within multiple aspects of product, user, and context.
- Summarized findings in an infographic to guide the ideation phase, visualizing all insights as a map of interaction characteristics/design principles. This allowed for cross-checking concepts against the interaction characteristics they addressed and determining which aspects of ideas were valid to incorporate into the final future concept north star.
- Used brainstorming techniques including mindmapping, Lotus Blossom, SCAMPER method, concept blending, escape thinking, co-creation, and morphological analysis to generate ideas for specific parts of the interaction characteristics map.
- Reflected ideas against the map to evaluate how well they addressed the research insights.
- Combined aspects of different ideas into a final concept using concept blending, resulting in a future concept to be tested and evaluated against traditional market products and competitor's disruptive innovations.
- Developed a wizard-of-Oz prototype with rear-projection mapping to test user experiences at the conceptual stage, allowing early and accurate testing of high-tech solutions without high development costs.
- Conducted user tests for traditional products, the disruptive innovation, and the future concept.
- Measured user experience across the user journey for different types of perceptions, within different user tasks and phases.
- Applied the wizard-of-Oz prototype testing method to all products to minimize unwanted factors influencing the results.
- Statistically analyzed the results using Friedman tests to identify differences in experiences, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to determine specific differences, and Rosenthal's correlation coefficient to measure the size of the differences.
Results and Conclusion
The future concept successfully retained all the benefits of the disruptive innovation while enhancing or equaling the user experience compared to both traditional and disruptive products across the user journey and over time, at any task, and in any way of perception. The UX framework proved to be an effective tool for guiding research, ideation, and evaluation processes in redesign projects, providing a structured approach to unbiased research.
This dissertation underscores the critical role of structured UX research and design in fostering innovation and improving user satisfaction in traditional markets.
2017
Conceptual start-up: Camano: A company about accompany, with Memoro
Project Overview:
Camano is a conceptual startup (meaning it never actually launched) dedicated to creating products that foster connection and joy for families affected by dementia or other illnesses. Our first product, Memoro, is a thoughtfully designed board game that brings together people with dementia and their families for memorable and fun-filled afternoons. Memoro utilizes reminiscence techniques to evoke cherished memories, creating moments of joy and connection that transcend the challenges of dementia for both the person with dementia as well as their family.Development Journey:
The inception of Camano and Memoro was rooted in a thorough understanding of our target group—individuals with dementia and their families or caretakers. Our journey began with extensive interviews, scientific research, and user tests to deeply understand their struggles and identify potential solutions. Through this comprehensive analysis, we developed a working prototype of Memoro.As we refined the prototype, we simultaneously built the foundation of Camano. This involved establishing our company’s name, story, challenge, vision, mission values, and future prospects, which would guide all our future decisions.
In-Depth Analysis and Finalization:
Further analysis and definition of our target group were crucial. We delved deeper into the needs of our users, buyers, and people with dementia, refining the reminiscence techniques incorporated into Memoro. We also reviewed laws and regulations to ensure compliance.The product was then finalized, evolving from a prototype to a production-ready end product. We developed a comprehensive production plan, detailing production processes and policies to ensure quality and consistency.
Strategic Marketing and Business Planning:
Our marketing plan was crafted with precision, including a detailed company timeline, potential market analysis, growth plan, market research with trends, SWOT analysis, and a robust marketing strategy. We identified our communication channels, customer relationship-building strategies, product delivery methods, and advertising tactics. Additionally, a website was designed to showcase Memoro and our mission.We also created a commercial plan for Camano, featuring mock-ups of company branding, corporate identity, and product branding. This holistic approach ensured that every aspect of our business was aligned and cohesive.
Financial Planning:
Our financial plan included thorough research on product pricing, cost calculations, and break-even analyses for the first three years. A feasibility study validated our approach, ensuring that our business model was sound.Pitching:
With this comprehensive business plan, we pitched Camano and Memoro within entrepreneurial networks to learn and develop our business plan, and skills further.The quality of our product and the robustness of our business plan received high praise. This validation led us to explore additional elements, such as a Kickstarter campaign.
Conclusion:
Camano and Memoro represent more than just a game; they are a bridge connecting hearts and minds. Through meticulous research, strategic planning, and heartfelt design, we have created a product that brings joy, connection, and cherished memories to families affected by dementia. Join us on our journey to make every moment count.
Business Plan content summary
Our story
Challenge
Vision
Mission
Values
Future Prospects
Target group (users, Buyers,...)
Product description
Product use
Product add-on's
Product value
Laws & Regulations
Company Workflow
Production process
Production policy
Company Timeline (1-3Y)
Potential market
Growth plan
Trends & Benchmarks
SWOT
Our Marketing strategy (1-3Y)
Customer relations
Communication Channels
Website
Delivery
Advertising strategy
Corporate Identity
Corporate Branding
Mock-up
Product branding
Product pricing strategy
Cost calculations (1-3Y)
Willingness to buy
Break-even's (1-3Y)
Feasibility
2018
Advanced Headgear with integrated Gasmask for Special Forces Police Units
Problem Definition
Special forces police units often face significant challenges with their current protective gear. During action, the process of suiting up with gasmasks requires removing existing face protection, creating two vulnerable moments: once when the gasmask is put on, and again when it is removed. This sequential process not only delays response times but also exposes officers to potential threats during these transitions. Thus, there is a pressing need for an integrated solution that enhances both protection and operational efficiency.
Approach
Problem Definition and Target Group Analysis
To address these critical issues, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the target group—special forces police units. These units need gear that provides robust protection while allowing for quick and seamless operation in high-pressure situations. Our primary goal was to design headgear that integrates gasmask functionality without requiring the removal of existing face protection.
Animal Transfer Inspiration
For inspiration, we turned to the natural world, specifically the rhino. Known for its protective armor that seamlessly covers and shields its body while allowing it to move swiftly and efficiently, the rhino’s natural armor influenced both the aesthetic and functional aspects of our design.
Iterative Design Process
- Sketching: Initial concepts were developed through extensive sketching, exploring various ways to integrate the gasmask with the protective headgear, starting from the animal transfer and target group analysis.
- Clay Modelling: Once a concept direction was established via sketching, physical clay models were created to refine the form and fit of the design, ensuring clean lines and surfaces. The final clay model was then primed and painted to the desired color scheme.
- 3D Scanning: These models were 3D scanned to create accurate digital representations.
- 3D CAD Surfacing and Solid Modelling: Using CAD software, we developed detailed surface and solid models to fine-tune the design’s structural and aesthetic features.
- Rendering and Animations: High-quality renderings and animations were produced to visualize the final design in various scenarios, demonstrating its functionality and appeal.
- Material Selection: Careful material selection was crucial to ensure the headgear provided maximum protection while remaining lightweight and durable.
Result
The final design presents a conceptual solution that effectively addresses the critical weak points identified in the problem definition. The integrated headgear with a built-in gasmask allows special forces officers to maintain complete facial protection at all times, eliminating the vulnerable moments previously caused by the need to remove and replace equipment.
Aesthetically, the headgear draws on the characteristics of the rhino, featuring a sleek, segmented armor design that not only looks formidable but also enhances the protective qualities of the gear. This headgear is a significant improvement in both functionality and design, offering a robust solution to a critical operational challenge faced by special forces police units.
For more information, check out the dedicated portfolio PDF.
2017
Open-ended Urban Farming system
Project Overview
The Open-Ended Urban Farming System is a scalable and adaptable solution designed to innovate the way we approach urban agriculture. This project culminated in a functional scaled prototype complete with a working software, user interface (UI) and hardware. It showcases the potential of open-ended systems to evolve alongside the changing needs of users and contexts.
Design and Development Approach
The project was a collaborative effort involving a multidisciplinary team of industrial designers and electronic ICT engineers. Our journey began with a comprehensive analysis of the client’s needs, specifically their requirement for a controllable lighting system in a chicken farm. The goal was to illuminate specific areas of the barn with distinct lighting programs.
Traditional serial lighting posed a significant drawback: the failure of one light would cause all subsequent lights to fail. On the other hand, while parallel-connected lights allow for individual control, they lack the capability to identify their specific locations within the barn.
Our solution combined the best of both worlds. We developed a system where lights are connected in parallel but are capable of following a protocol that allows the computer to scan and determine the position of each light in the chain. This architecture is open-ended, meaning it can recognize and integrate any new component that adheres to the same simple architecture. This adaptability paves the way for applications beyond chicken farms, extending into urban farming with vast potential.
Innovative Features
- Adaptive Lighting Control: Our system allows for precise control of lighting programs tailored to specific needs within the farm, enhancing the environment for both plants and animals.
- Position Recognition: Each light’s location can be identified within the chain, ensuring localized autonomous control as well as reliable operation and easy maintenance.
- Open-Ended Architecture: The system can integrate various components such as sensors, sprinklers, cameras, UV lights, and heating elements, recognizing each component’s type, position, and data requirements.
- Autonomous Farming Capabilities: With the addition of a camera and AI, the system can automatically identify plant species, estimate growth stages, and adjust lighting, watering, and other parameters accordingly.
Applications and Future Potential
The initial focus on chicken farms highlighted the system’s capability to adapt to various agricultural needs. A scientific paper was authored to detail research on different lighting programs for chickens and to explore future applications in urban farming.
As a concept, we incorporated a sensor into the scaled prototype to demonstrate the system’s versatility. The open-ended design allows for the integration of multiple components, enabling diverse and autonomous farming practices. This capability makes it possible to cultivate a variety of plants next to each other, each receiving tailored care based on its specific requirements. Yet, the system itself is simple.
Conclusion
The Open-Ended Urban Farming System exemplifies innovation in agricultural technology. By creating a flexible, scalable, and intelligent but simple system, we have showed the groundwork for future advancements in urban farming. This project not only addresses current needs but also anticipates future challenges and opportunities in the realm of sustainable agriculture and autonomous home-farming.
2018
Using Wizard of Oz to lower cognitiverequirements during concept-tests with
elderly, a case study: Redesigning a
microwave oven
Using Wizard of Oz to lower cognitive
requirements during concept-tests with elderly, a case study: Redesigning a microwave oven
Project Overview
In our project, we researched the use Wizard of Oz testing to lower cognitive requirements during concept-testing with elderly. To test this, we did a case study to redesign a microwave oven with the goal to improve the user experience (targetted to elderly) so using a microwave’s features like defrosting are easier. The results of our study were documented in an extended abstract paper.
Methodological Approach
Our approach was grounded in the Human-Centered Design process. Here are several key steps:
Initial Research:
- Surveys and Field Studies: Conducted surveys with existing users and performed field studies and user observations to gather information on user demographics, usability, functionality, and technology interests.
- Focus on Elderly Users: The elderly subpopulation was chosen as our primary focus.
Field Studies and Scenario-of-Use Testing:
- Questionnaire: Administered a comprehensive questionnaire to compare the sample group with the online survey group.
- Scenario-of-Use Test: Participants performed various tasks on the same microwave, providing insights into the usability of the existing design.
Co-Creative Brainstorming:
- Brainstorm Session: Conducted a co-creative brainstorming session with participants to gather suggestions for improvements.
- Design Adjustments: Redesigned the microwave based on the feedback from the brainstorming sessions.
Development of Wizard of Oz Prototype
We developed a Wizard of Oz prototype—a non-working microwave that allowed us to simulate smart features in the early stages of development, providing an experience closely resembling a fully functional prototype.
Evaluation and Testing
- Scenario-of-Use Test: Conducted another scenario-of-use test with the redesigned microwave.
- Thinking-Aloud Method: Guided participants through different tasks, step by step, and evaluated their experience using the thinking-aloud method.
- PrEmo Measurement Instrument: Used the PrEmo measurement instrument to measure user experience across the user journey.
Results and Analysis
Our analysis showed that the redesigned microwave outperformed the existing microwave in terms of user experience and usability. The Wizard of Oz testing effectively lowered the cognitive load on participants, allowing us to test more complex concepts early on without heavily relying on their imagination.
Conclusion
The use of the Wizard of Oz testing method was successful in refining our design to better meet the needs of elderly users. This approach enabled us to develop and test advanced features at an early stage, resulting in a more user-friendly microwave design.
2017
DIY organized tool bag design for Students
Project Overview
The goal of this project was to develop a versatile tool kit concept for design students, enabling them to organize their tools efficiently both at home and in the workshop. The design aimed to facilitate easy transportation, allowing students to take only the necessary tools to the workshop while maintaining quick and intuitive organization on-site. The concept was adapted for three production scales: DIY, small production, and large-scale production, culminating in the creation of a functional DIY prototype.
Approach
Research and Problem Identification
- Target Group Analysis: Investigated the specific needs and challenges faced by design students, focusing on the necessity for easy transport, lightweight design, and a clear overview of tools.
Exploration and Concept Development
- Method Exploration: Explored various methods for attaching, carrying, and organizing tools.
- Concept Prototyping: Developed and tested prototypes of different concepts, scoring each possibility to determine the most effective solutions.
Design Selection and Refinement
- Winning Design: Selected the best design through a thorough evaluation process.
- Storyboard Creation: Created a detailed storyboard to visualize the final concept and its use.
- DIY Prototype: Constructed a physical, working prototype for the DIY version of the tool bag.
Adaptation for Production
- Small Production Design: Redesigned the concept for small-scale production using CNC turret punching. Defined the parameters needed for this production process and adapted the design accordingly, including material choices and pricing.
- Mass Production Design: Further refined the design for large-scale production through injection molding. Conducted injection molding simulations, defined the materials, and calculated the production costs.
- Cost Analysis: Conducted a simplified cost calculation for each production scale.
Conclusion
This project successfully developed a tool kit that meets the needs of design students, offering flexible and efficient tool organization and transport solutions. The DIY prototype serves as a practical, functional example of the concept, while the adaptations for small and large-scale production demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of the design.
2017
MetaKick: a new way of designing drum pedals
Overview
MetaKick introduces a new approach to drum pedal design by leveraging 3D printing techniques and metamaterials, where the material’s geometry is used to transfer kinetic and mechanical energy. This innovative pedal offers drummers a customizable playing experience, significantly reducing production complexity and enhancing personalization. By minimizing the number of components required, MetaKick not only redefines the connection between a drummer’s foot and their instrument but also decreases its environmental impact, although this claim is not yet supported by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or other metrics.
Project Background
The MetaKick concept arose from exploring metamaterials—an material science approach that involves designing cellular structures within flexible or solid matter. This new perspective on force and motion transmission inspired its application to various contexts, including musical instruments. The result is the MetaKick bass drum pedal, a product concept showcasing the future potential of metamaterials and 3D printing in musical instrument design, emphasizing both personalization and sustainability.
Innovation and Design
MetaKick is a direct-drive drum pedal, eliminating the response lag found in traditional non-direct drive pedals. In its initial iteration, focusing solely on the driving mechanism, the pedal reduces the number of components from the conventional 50 to just 25. This reduction makes it a lighter, more efficient, and potentially more reliable piece of equipment. The pedal’s unique construction removes the need for a spring, a typical feature in drum pedals, further simplifying its design and enhancing its durability. This first conceptual prototype demonstrates the potential of the design and serves as a proof of concept, without prioritizing aesthetics, personalization, or long-term durability.
Personalization
A key feature of MetaKick is its future potential for personalization. Using 3D printing, the pedal can be tailored to the individual drummer’s foot size and playing style. AI can analyze playing data to customize the 3D model automatically, adapting the cellular structures rapidly and effortlessly. This customization ensures optimal performance, providing a seamless extension of the drummer’s body and allowing their skills to shine without compromise.
Sustainability
MetaKick is designed with sustainability in mind. By reducing the number of parts, production costs and environmental impact are lowered. Additionally, 3D printing offers the potential to use recycled materials, making the manufacturing process even more eco-friendly. The focus on creating a long-lasting, personalized product fosters a deeper connection between the drummer and their gear, promoting a sustainable lifecycle for the instrument.
2016
Lou: Social Robotics for Supporting Patients with Eating Disorders During Hospitalization
Project Overview
Lou is a conceptual social robot, designed in conjunction with an app, to support individuals with eating disorders during their hospital stays. Lou assists patients in expressing and recording their emotions related to specific events, which are then revisited during therapy sessions. The app also includes administrative tools to simplify the hospitalization process and make it more engaging. Additionally, the app features an anonymous support community where patients can offer each other encouragement and share experiences.
Project Description
The project began with a thorough analysis of the target group and their challenges during hospitalization. This included interviews with patients, therapists, doctors, staff, and caregivers, as well as an examination of daily schedules and therapeutic exercises. The primary demographic was young females, though the design was inclusive of all genders. Key issues identified were administrative burdens and difficulties in accurately discussing past emotions (e.g., “How did you feel when you ate x two days ago?”).
A unique personality was crafted for Lou, designed to assist with emotional expression. A rabbit character was chosen for its inviting nature, named Lou to maintain a unisex appeal, and dressed in a “tough” style to avoid a childish appearance.
Essential features for the app were determined, including:
- Agenda management
- An emotional wheel paired with Lou
- A support network
- Anonymous help features
A storyboard and initial conceptual designs for the app were created, although full development was outside the project scope. The focus remained on social robotics.
Social Robot Development
- Foam Model: Initial proportions and sizes were established with a foam model.
- 3D Modeling: The design was refined using CAD and 3D sculpting.
- Prototyping: A slicing model was laser cut from cardboard to check sizes against the foam model.
- Servo Motors modules: Custom-designed for eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, cheeks, and ears to express emotions mapped to the emotional wheel.
- Testing: Cardboard prototypes were tested in cardboard before creating an ABS laser-cut model. Servo motor modules were laser cut, 3D printed, and assembled, then wired and tested with a Raspberry Pi.
- Finishing: The internal stuffing and outer skin were knitted, and a custom jacket was created for Lou.
Conclusion
Lou successfully demonstrated the ability to clearly express different emotions, serving as an effective prototype for further iteration and improvement. The feedback from therapists was overwhelmingly positive, and the project was handed over to the client for continued development.
2017
Redesign for mass production
Project Overview
This project focused on redesigning a kitchen aid, originally developed to assist an individual with mobility issues in stabilizing pots while cooking, for mass production. The goal was to adapt the product for a broader audience, optimizing it for various cooking surfaces and enhancing its manufacturability.
Design and Development Process
- Universal Compatibility: The kitchen aid was initially re-engineered to function effectively on all types of cooking surfaces, ensuring versatility and wider applicability.
- Mass Production Optimization: To facilitate large-scale production, silicone injection molding was selected as the manufacturing method. This choice was driven by the need for cost-efficiency and high-quality output.
- Material and Geometry Selection: Careful consideration was given to selecting appropriate materials and refining the product’s geometry. Silicone was chosen for its durability, heat resistance, and user-friendly properties.
- Injection Mold Design: The design phase included creating a detailed injection mold, tailored to the specific requirements of the product.
Prototyping
A prototype was developed by CNC cutting a mold in foam, followed by pouring silicone to produce a functional prototype. This process allowed for testing and validation of the design before moving to full-scale production.
This project showcases a seamless transition from a niche solution to a mass-market product, highlighting skills in redesign, design for production, material selection, and manufacturing process optimization.
2015
Wood joint & tool design
Project Overview
This project involved designing an innovative tool that works with a standard DIY tool, such as a drill, to create three types of wood joints without the use of glue or other materials. The goal was to develop a tool that ensures accuracy and repeatability in joint-making, and to showcase its application by designing a piece of furniture utilizing these joints.
Project Description
The project began with an exploration of various wood joints to identify three creative and functional joint designs that could be crafted using a single DIY tool. After extensive design and testing, three joints were developed. These joints are achieved by drilling at different angles with a drill and varying sizes of drill bits.
A drilling template was designed to ensure precise and repeatable drilling of angled holes. This template uses consistent reference points to align the tool with the workpieces accurately. To maintain precision over time, the drill is guided by durable yet replaceable Teflon drill guides, precisely manufactured to specifications on a lathe.
The main tool was constructed from hardwood, chosen for its durability and ease of DIY manufacturing, as well as its gentleness on workpieces during use. The tool’s components were precisely crafted on a milling machine to meet exact specifications, including accurately drilled guide holes.
The tolerances of the tool’s wood joints were carefully measured and met the desired specifications. Each guide tube is designed to be removable via a mounting screw, allowing for easy replacement and maintenance.
Two of the developed joints function by pressing a wooden ball with a wooden pin against the workpiece, creating a strong, reassemblable joint.
To demonstrate the practical application of these joints, several furniture concepts were sketched, and two coffee tables were built, showcasing the design and functionality of the wood joint tool.
2016
Brand DNA analyses and product translation
Project Overview
This project focused on the challenge of analyzing a brand’s DNA and translating its unique characteristics into a completely different product category. The client sought to understand the essence of a well-known brand and apply it to a new market far removed from its original domain.
Case Study: Orange Amps
For this project, we selected Orange Amps, an iconic amplifier brand renowned among (bass) guitarists for its distinctive branding and product design. The goal was to capture the essence of Orange Amps and infuse it into the design of a kitchen blender.
Process
Brand DNA Analysis:
- Conducted a comprehensive analysis of Orange Amps’ product lines and overall brand identity.
- Identified key elements that define the brand, such as design aesthetics, color schemes, and functional attributes.
- Examined the brand’s history, values, and market positioning to understand what makes it unique and recognizable.
Product Translation:
- Transferred the identified brand DNA to a new product category – a kitchen blender.
- Developed a digital design for the blender that reflects the distinctive characteristics of Orange Amps.
- Ensured the new product maintained the core elements of Orange Amps’ branding, creating a seamless transition from amplifiers to kitchen appliances.
Outcome
The result was a kitchen blender design that successfully embodied the iconic features of Orange Amps, demonstrating how brand DNA can be effectively translated across different product categories. This project showcased the versatility of brand identity and the potential for creative expansion into new markets.
Skilled in Adobe Photoshop for high-quality image editing, retouching, and compositing.
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator for vector graphics, logo design, and detailed illustrations.
Proficient with Adobe InDesign for creating layouts and print-ready designs.
Expert in Adobe Lightroom for photo editing, color correction, and enhancing visual aesthetics.
Expert in CAD/CAID/CAE software (Siemens NX) for detailed (parametric) CAD design, proficient in simulation and analysis.
Proficient in advanced rendering techniques to create photorealistic visualizations that bring concepts to life.
