Tan Sing Yee (0359999) Minor Project

22/09/2025 - 31/12/2025 Week 1 - Week 15

Tan Sing Yee / 0359999

Minor Project / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media



INSTRUCTIONS


<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1felPAvNMHu0xry7uv8gOGsxpFZ4oYAnB/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>


WEEKLY PROGRESS

- Week 1

We formed a team of 6-7 members, with no more than 2 specialisations in the team. We start to choose our brief for this minor project. We had choose "Cooling the Heat and Healing the Mind (CHHM)" as a client project.

Group Members:

1. Kimberly Miaw Jay Nee ( Graphic Design & Group Leader)
2. Zhou Bo Ying (Graphic Design)
3. Ye Ying Ying (UI/UX)
4. Nathan Wira Susanto (UI/UX)
5. Yong Sun Lu (UI/UX)
6. Komugi Uchibori (Entertainment Design)
7. Tan Sing Yee (Entertainment Design)

This is the Brief we choose

 

We Conducted general research about the project and thought up the interview questions for the clients. Next the group leader also created a Figma and Google Drive for this project we can use this Figma to note down what important note or information.

Figma: 

Google Drive:


- Week 3-4

In week 3 we need to come out few interview questions for interview, each of us need to do interview. Then we had our first online meeting on week 3 for discussing the interview question for our interview, and in the meeting we also discuss and brainstorm possible things we can do for this project. Next we have another meeting also in week 3, in this meeting we discussed the target user focus on and discuss the persona. Besides, we also had to refine the research information that each of us need to do some research about this brief. For the target user we had suggested few target user such as street police, security guard, food vendors and hawkers.

In week 4, we have online meeting too in this meeting we discussed and narrow it down to focus only 2 target user and we had choose security guard and food vendors, next we need to divide into 2 groups to finish the interview.

- Week 4-5

In week 4 we finalised all the interview questions including the Malay, Chinese and English version, and we need to finish the interview in this week based on our group that we chose. Therefore I had choose the food vendor then I use Chinese to finish this interview and we need to transcript into English after interview.

In week 5 we have another meeting in this meeting we brainstorm about the brief explanation of what to do with the affinity diagram.

- Week 5-6

In week 5 we need to do sticky not finding: extract interview data, analyse, put into sticks notes according to our information of the interview. We were need to do the research findings such as for finding: What is happening (Patterns or trends in the data) and for the insights: Why is happening (deeper reasons, motivations, or challenges).  Next, we have another meeting and we discussed to go through individual sticky notes together and finish the affinity diagram.

- Week 6-7

In week 6 we also have an online meeting and we start analyse the data. We refine our problem statement (POV/Statement), we use our new insight to update or clarify our problem statement, and make sure it is clearly state 
- Who the user is, 
- What their need is, 
- Why this need exist. 
Next, we populate our group's Miro board, we add our research findings, insights, update problem statement, and any supporting materials to our group's Miro board. This board is our shared space for all project week, including research, sketches, and concept development.

- Week 7-8

In Week 7 we start the new stage of principle of design innovation, we need to talk about the principal of design innovation. Design innovation have 5 such as contactual, empathetic, goal-oriented,, intentional and iterative. we also have a proposed idea section in the slide to let us share our idea (nothing too detailed, just simple explaination of what the idea is and all). Previously, we have discussed  a wearable device like some sort of wristwatch which is a product. Based on our interview, we have mixed opinions on it. Most said it would bother them while working , especially if they sweat a lot. some said it would be good as long its lightweigtht + its good that it can “remind” them, but still mentioned these kind of things they can “remind” themselves (self discipline ig). In week 8 we also start doing our presentation slide for the Task 1.

- Week 9

In week 9 is a mid-term presentation week, unfortunately I was unable to join cause I had class on that day.

- Week 10-12

In these few week we start to refine and improve our idea before that we received to presentation feedback form Dr Wong, she said our flow of slide is clearly, and Dr Wong and Dr Praveena mentioned out proposed idea (hydration mobile + awareness campaign) is good but the outdoor workers don't have convenient access to water is actually the company's responsibility to provide it. In the budgeting issues, Dr Praveena ask us how will this project be funded and making it a fully funded initiative is difficult and it not sure if it can be done long term. So she said since we are already going in this direction for our proposed idea, maybe we can brainstorm to turn it into something else. Once we come up with a refined proposed idea, email to Dr Praveena and Dr Wong for feedback. Therefore after received the feedbacks we start to refine our proposed idea first such as how we can improve/refine our current hydration mobile service, maybe something similar but probably not a mobile service anymore, it can be another type of serve /system that provides clean water access/ cooling rest.

- Week 12

In this week we are actually stuck here and we show to Dr Wong and she understand our idea is a mobile or semi-mobile service van designed to support outdoor workers. it currently provides water, a small resting area and basic cooling functions. However, she pointed out that the concept it too general to simple maybe can have some creative idea, more meaningful services. In the tutorial class, lecturer asked a team member to imagine themselves as a real outdoor workers and share what they truly need during work. 
The key insights are:
1. Long hours under the sun
2. No time for naps
3. Mainly need hydration and quick cooling or some refreshing drinks.
4. A short break and small interaction is helpful.
5. A quick shower or cooling fan could be useful.
Next we start to brainstorming about add more cooling and support services. I had suggested the show cubicle, cooling towels. and the chargeable portable fans (borrow-return system) and lecturer say which is very interesting and helpful for the outdoor workers. Besides Dr Wong also suggest to have other drinks instead of online plain water we can have coconut water, refreshing drinks, energy drinks and more.

- Week 13
 
In this week 13 we are start to sketches out the prototype which I am work in this part. I use Chatgpt to get the references to finish my sketches. I had sketch out the exterior and interior and some stuff. Next I finish sketches I send to a team member to finish the 3D prototype, we decided to use "Minecraft" to do the 3D model of the van, and recording the film video walkthrough of prototype in Minecraft. Next other members also work on different part of prototype such as website, logo design, digital wellness display static design/animation and finalise user testing questions.

I'm work at the prototype part.





- Week 14

In this week 14 is about the end we do the last part which is the user testing, everyone need to interview again according to the 2 target group we choose (security guard & food vendor). Besides, we need to analyse the user testing feedbacks and finding in Figma. and lastly finalise the slides.

- Week 15

Final presentation to our client which is Dr Praveena and of course also Dr Wong.
This is also our final presentation slides: 



REFLECTION

This minor project has been a meaningful learning experience for me, as it allowed me to go through a complete design thinking and design innovation process, from research to final presentation. Throughout the weeks, I learned how important user-centred research is in shaping a design that is practical and meaningful, especially when designing for real users such as outdoor workers.

At the beginning of the project, I learned how to plan and conduct interviews properly. Working with my group to create interview questions in three languages helped me understand the importance of inclusivity and clear communication. By interviewing food vendors and translating the interview into English, I improved my qualitative research and analysis skills. I also learned how to extract useful information from interview data and turn it into findings and insights using affinity diagrams, which helped me better understand users’ real problems instead of making assumptions.

One of the biggest challenges in this project was refining our proposed idea. Our initial concepts were either too general or unrealistic in terms of responsibility and long-term sustainability. The feedback from Dr Wong and Dr Praveena made me realise that a good idea is not only about creativity, but also about feasibility, responsibility, and impact. Although our group felt stuck at one point, this challenge pushed us to think more deeply and empathetically from the perspective of outdoor workers.

By imagining myself as an outdoor worker, I gained stronger empathy and was able to contribute more meaningful ideas, such as cooling towels, shower cubicles, and a borrow-and-return system for portable fans. This experience showed me how empathy can lead to more practical and human-centred solutions. I also learned that small services, such as short breaks, refreshing drinks, and simple interactions, can greatly improve users’ well-being.

In terms of contribution, I was mainly responsible for sketching the prototype. This helped me strengthen my visual communication skills and understand how to translate abstract ideas into physical spaces and services. Using references to support my sketches also taught me how to research effectively during the design process. Collaborating with teammates who worked on 3D modelling, digital design, and user testing showed me the importance of teamwork and clear role distribution.

Overall, this minor project helped me grow as a designer. I learned to be more patient, open to feedback, and flexible when ideas needed to change. Most importantly, I understood that good design is not about designing for myself, but about understanding real users, their limitations, and their daily struggles. This project has strengthened my confidence in applying design thinking, research, and prototyping skills in future projects.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog