Minor Project

 

Minor Project 

25/9/2025 - 25/1/2026 (Week 1 - Week 14)

 GU QIANKUA  | 0369385

 Minor Project | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media | Taylor's University 

 Tasks

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TABLE OF CONTENTS  

1. Multidisciplinary Learning Experience

2. Instructions

3. Task Progress

4. Feedback

5. Reflections

1.MULTIDISCIPLINARYLEARNING EXPERIENCE (ON MYTIMES) 

Week 1: Orientation & Module Familiarisation

This week was focused on laying the foundation for our learning journey. Reviewing the module rubric, assignment breakdown, and lecturer profile gave me insight into the expectations and assessment criteria. Overall, this week helped me prepare mentally and practically for what’s ahead, setting a clear roadmap for how I can stay engaged and responsible for my own learning.

Week 2: Introduction to Design Thinking

I was introduced to the foundational principles of design thinking, emphasizing the importance of a human-centered mindset. I learned that design is not just about aesthetics or functionality, but about solving problems from the user’s perspective. The concept of empathy stood out as a key element—encouraging us to step into the users’ shoes and truly understand their experiences, behaviors, and challenges. This approach combined knowledge from psychology, sociology, and creative design, helping me shift away from jumping to solutions too quickly. Instead, I began focusing on framing the right problem first, which is a mindset I now see as essential in all disciplines, whether in business, communication, or design. 

Week 3: Empathy & User Research

This week deepened my understanding of how to gather meaningful insights through direct engagement with users. I explored qualitative research techniques such as interviews and open-ended surveys, drawing on my communication skills to establish trust and ask the right questions. Applying empathy in practice helped me see that user research is not just about collecting data—it’s about understanding people on a deeper level. Using these findings, I crafted user personas with storytelling elements inspired by marketing and psychology, which made them more relatable and insightful. I also learned how to balance emotional insight with observable behavior, leading to more accurate and human-centered design decisions.

Week 4: Insights & Problem Definition

In Week 4, I learned how to synthesize raw research data into actionable insights. This process required both analytical and interpretive thinking—drawing on behavioral psychology to understand motivations and on logic to identify patterns and opportunities. We practiced writing clear, focused problem statements and developed “How Might We” (HMW) questions, which challenged us to reframe issues in a constructive and opportunity-driven way. This week was particularly valuable in helping me see how structure and creativity can work together. By clearly defining the right problems, we set ourselves up for more effective, meaningful solutions.

Week 5: Ideation & Journey Mapping

This week emphasized creative thinking through structured ideation techniques. We explored brainstorming tools such as Crazy 8s, SCAMPER, and Mind Mapping to push beyond obvious ideas and discover innovative possibilities. These activities encouraged me to think like an artist, entrepreneur, and strategist all at once. I also learned how to map a user’s journey through different touchpoints, combining storytelling with UX principles. Journey mapping helped me better visualize the user’s emotions, needs, and pain points over time, reinforcing how important it is to understand the full context of the experience. This week demonstrated how ideation is not a solo act, but a collaborative, interdisciplinary process that thrives on diverse perspectives.

Week 6:  Ideation & Brainstorming Techniques

In Week 6, we shifted from generating ideas to presenting them in a compelling and structured format. I learned how to build a design proposal that communicates value clearly and professionally. This involved applying business strategy, visual design, and presentation skills—creating slides that were not only informative but also visually engaging. I gained experience in storytelling through layout, typography, and image selection, using visual hierarchy to guide attention and emphasize key points. This week taught me that even the best ideas need strong communication to succeed, and that presentation is a crucial skill for any designer or innovator.

2.INSTRUCTIONS

3. TASK PROGRESS 

Week 1

Mr. Sylvain stood in for Dr. Wong during the first week and provided a briefing on the overall assignment. We were instructed to form interdisciplinary groups of 5-7 members. Consequently, our team consists of two UI/UX students, two Graphic Design students, and one Entertainment Design student.

Week 2

We were given 6 topic to chose from. My group decided to chose Patient Transfer Device.

Week 3

This week, Dr. Wong arranged a meeting with the client for us to further understand our topic. Professor Manohar briefed us on the topic, situation, needs, and problems in this area. After the meeting, we started on Figjam based on the problems stated by the Professor. We also conducted a group discussion to allocate tasks and answer those questions on Figma.

After the meeting, we started on Figjam based on the problems stated by the Professor. We also conducted a group discussion to allocate tasks and answer those questions on Figma.

Detailed Meeting & Task Progress

1. Client Briefing & Insights Dr. Wong organized a meeting with the client, where Professor Manohar provided a deep dive into the subject matter. The briefing focused on the current industry situation, user needs, and the specific pain points we need to address.

2. Figjam Collaborative Session Following the meeting, the team moved to Figjam to visualize the problem statements. We used the board to categorize the issues raised by the Professor and brainstorm initial concepts.

3. Strategic Task Allocation We held a follow-up group discussion to ensure every team member had a clear role. Tasks were assigned based on the project requirements, focusing on:

• Analyzing client needs.

• Developing responses to the core problems.

• Documenting our design rationale directly on Figma to ensure all questions are answered thoroughly.

Week 4 

"Following the finalization of our research questions, we conducted interviews this week with three nurses and three family members. We successfully secured an interview slot at Assunta Hospital on October 15th, where we also performed onsite observations to gain better contextual insights. In compliance with ethical guidelines, we ensured that the consent forms provided by Professor Manohar were printed and signed by the participating nurses. Additionally, we recorded each session to ensure all qualitative data was captured accurately for further analysis."

 

Key Improvements:

• Formal Phrasing: Changed "we managed to book slot" to "successfully secured an interview slot" and "we need to" to "we ensured," which sounds more like a completed progress report.

• Logical Flow: Grouped the logistical details (Assunta Hospital/Oct 15th) together and the procedural details (consent forms/recording) together.

• Terminology: Used "qualitative data" and "contextual insights" to elevate the academic tone of the report.

• Precision: Emphasized the "onsite observation" as a research method.

Synthesis of Interview Findings Following the primary research, we synthesized our raw data by capturing key findings on digital sticky notes. These observations were then rigorously filtered and condensed into our Top 5 Critical Findings. To gain a holistic perspective of the feedback, we developed an Affinity Diagram, which allowed us to visualize patterns, cluster recurring themes, and identify high-level correlations between the responses of different interviewees.

The Define Phase: Categorization & Insights Building on these findings, we entered the Define Phase. We systematically classified the qualitative data into seven strategic categories to better understand the multifaceted nature of the challenge:

1. Physical Effort & Workforce Demand

2. Design & Equipment Limitations

3. Usability

4. Independence

5. Safety & Stability Concerns

6. Comfort

7. Emotional Wellbeing

From Themes to Actionable Insights,After completing the classification, we focused on uncovering the 'What' (Key Themes). This analytical process enabled us to transition from raw observation to concise 'Why' (Insight Statements), providing a deeper understanding of the underlying motivations and root causes behind user behaviors.

User Profiling & Empathy Mapping Utilizing the consolidated information, we developed detailed User Personas for both nurses and family caregivers. These personas serve as archetypes that represent the specific needs and goals of our target users. To further immerse ourselves in their experiences, we constructed Empathy Maps, articulating what our users see, say, do, and feel.

Problem Statement (POV) Formulation With a comprehensive understanding of the user landscape, we are now equipped to formulate precise Point of View (POV) Problem Statements. These statements will define the core challenges for each target group (Nurses and Family Members) and serve as the foundation for our upcoming ideation phase

Empathy Mapping & Problem Definition Synthesizing our findings and user personas, we developed comprehensive Empathy Maps to decode the emotional and psychological landscape of our users. With these insights consolidated, we formulated a precise Point of View (POV) Statement for both nurses and family caregivers, ensuring our problem definition is deeply rooted in real-world user needs.

Alignment with UNSDGs To ensure our project contributes to global sustainability and social impact, we aligned our objectives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), specifically focusing on:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Enhancing care quality and caregiver safety.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Developing innovative assistive technologies.

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Improving accessibility for vulnerable populations.

How Might We (HMW) & Ideation Strategy Guided by our chosen SDGs, we generated a series of "How Might We" questions to transition from problems to opportunities. Through a rigorous selection process, we narrowed our focus to 5 key HMW statements, ultimately highlighting the most critical area (in red) to steer our design direction.

User Journey Mapping & Feature Prioritization We mapped the User Journey for both target groups, meticulously detailing journey steps, user actions, and emotional trajectories. By identifying specific pain points and opportunity areas, we facilitated a brainstorming session to plot potential features on a Prioritization Matrix, ensuring our solution is both impactful and feasible.

Ideate Phase: The 'Crazy 8' Method During this week’s studio session, Dr. Wong facilitated a 'Crazy 8 Ideation' activity. This high-intensity exercise challenged us to sketch eight distinct concepts in two-minute intervals. We subsequently consolidated these sketches on Figjam for a comparative analysis. After an in-depth team deliberation, we reached a consensus to proceed with the Height-Adjustable Sliding Mat concept as our primary solution.

deate Phase: The 'Crazy 8' Method During this week’s studio session, Dr. Wong facilitated a 'Crazy 8 Ideation' workshop. This high-velocity exercise required each member to sketch eight distinct concepts within a strict two-minute timeframe per idea. Following the session, we digitized our sketches onto Figjam for collective review and deliberation. Initially, the team reached a consensus to move forward with the Height-Adjustable Sliding Mat concept.

Mid-term Presentation & Strategic Pivot During our mid-term presentation, we proposed the sliding mat solution. While Professor Manohar acknowledged the merit of the idea, he identified significant potential in one of our alternative concepts: a Detachable Stretcher-Wheelchair Hybrid.

Professor Manohar suggested that we pivot to this concept as it offers a more seamless transition for elderly users from the wheelchair to the bed. To ensure the viability of this new direction, we are incorporating the following design refinements based on his feedback:

• Height Adjustability: Implementing a mechanism to bridge the vertical gap between various wheelchair frames and hospital/home beds.

• Minimalist Retractable Armrests: Designing armrests that can be lowered or moved to eliminate obstructions during lateral transfers.

• Integrated Miniature Wheels: Adding small, low-profile wheels to the detachable stretcher component to facilitate smooth movement and prevent blockage once separated from the main frame.

 Presentation

Iterative Design & Collaborative Sketching Following the constructive feedback from Professor Manohar, the team entered an iterative design phase to refine our core concept. Each team member developed a detailed sketch incorporating the suggested features, such as height adjustability and the detachable mechanism. We then convened for a brainstorming session to evaluate these individual concepts, eventually merging the most effective elements into a unified, cohesive design.

Task Delegation by Group Leader Felice To streamline the development of this refined concept, our group leader, Felice, delegated specific responsibilities to ensure every technical aspect was addressed. She assigned us to:

Prototype Phase 

 After knowing what to proceed, we continue with prototyping. As Btari is in the Entertainment Design specialization, she will contribute in the 3D modeling. 

 Fig 1.31 Prototype Progress (Week 11, 02/12/25)

 

Fig 1.32 Prototype Video (Week 13, 17/12/25) 

We also include the close up images of the prototype for a clearer look. Followed by the instruction step-by-step to use the device, how to assemble and disassemble.

 

Fig 1.33 Prototype Close-up (Week 14, 24/12/25)

Fig 1.34 Prototype Instructions (Week 14, 24/12/25)

We also define the materials that will be used, then we predict the price for our product. Below are the specifications.

Fig 1.34 Prototype Specification (Week 12, 09/12/25)

Testing Phase  

As Btari work on the 3D modeling, we did the defining usability goals & concerns, defining the participants, identifying scenario and task and deciding how to measure usability. 
 

Fig 1.35 Testing Phase (Week 12, 09/12/25)

However, since our product is not physically real, as it is a 3D render, we decided to do concept testing by doing interview to ask caregiver regarding our prototype, below we also created some interview for testing. In addition, we also made a name for our product called 'Mobibed' and did logo for it. 

Hanyuan and I were specifically tasked with the Brand Identity and Logo Design.

After compiling the transcript, we start to collect important findings and compile it in the affinity diagram. This help us to categorize the answers from the respondents and afterward, we summarize each category. 

 

Fig 1.39 Interview Findings (Week 14, 27/12/25)

Final Outcome

 

Click here for link to google drive

Click here for link to figjam 

REFLECTION

Reflecting on this 14-week journey, this final week has profoundly deepened my understanding of the synergy between visual design and logical narrative. I have realized that design is not merely about aesthetics; it is about ensuring every visual element follows a coherent and persuasive flow.

The feedback we received served as a crucial reminder that the Customer Journey Map is far more than a research artifact—it is a strategic framework that anchors every design decision we make. By embedding this journey into our final presentation, we were able to communicate our concept with greater clarity and impact to both the client and the audience.

One of my key takeaways has been the importance of demonstrating user progression—tracing the path from a theoretical Persona to an active Customer. This transition makes our design story significantly more persuasive and grounded in reality. Moving forward, I am committed to prioritizing the 'connective tissue' between visual content and user steps, ensuring that every design choice I make consistently supports and enhances the overall user experience.