Full-Stack Engineer Desktop Trinket
Case Study
3D prototype of 3D puzzle
Source: https://www.primeacademy.io/courses/engineering
Overview
Prime Digital Academy came to me with a problem. The supplier of the Full-Stack Development student's welcome gift will no longer be producing that model of the water bottle. They are in need of a new design.
Before I got started with my research, they mentioned that they have heard grumblings that this particular welcome gift was rather unusable and impersonal.
Problem
If the water bottle isn’t the perfect welcome gift for a new full-stack engineering student then maybe we should consider what exactly these developers are looking for. With the obvious need to find a new welcome gift supplier, I was asked to present my ideas.
Project Overview & My Role
Role
Propose a personal and functional welcome gift solution for a new full-stack engineering cohort.
Conducted research methods such as AEIOU observations, directed storytelling interviews, and artifact analysis to identify themes.
Discovered that it is a common practice for developers to have personal artifacts around their workspace.
Developed concept sketches and a 3D prototype to further evaluate a 3D puzzle as a welcome gift.
Created a pitch deck and presented the solution to client stakeholders.
Initial Research
Conducted an AEIOU observation study of the most recent Full-Stack cohort. I was provided with video recordings of student’s remote workspaces and questionnaire answers about being a remote learner.
The research concluded that these students are a mindful group of people who want to make sure they step away from the computer as they push through the immersive development program.
Furthermore, I was able to really dive into the usability of the current welcome gift, the water bottle. By performing a Heuristic Analysis of the existing gift, I identified further problems with that particular gift.
AEIOU Participate Observation fo Full Stack students
Snapshot of Heuristic Evaluation
Severity Ratings
Design Concept Prototype
The research led me to develop three concepts around puzzles, wellness, and interactive artifacts.
A 3-Dimensional puzzle that could provide a simple escape from the arduous steps that are required to graduate from the full-stack development program.
The puzzle would be 3D printed for manufacturing flexibility and to create custom designs.
Concept presentation board
Evaluation of Concept
To understand what the students were desiring out of a welcome gift, I performed two strategic research tactics to discover more about this cohort.
Listened for any information about memorable artifacts that they currently leverage for inspiration. The participants were then given an opportunity to evaluate my design solution
Desk view of directed storytelling interview
Evaluation Findings
By including the name of the cohort
The students’ name
Year of graduation
One user noted that he “would keep that for sure.” With this information at my fingertips, I was ready to present my idea of a new welcome gift concept.
3 of 3 Users that I studied enjoy using puzzles to help with stress relief from the Prime Workload.
2 of 3 Users currently display a personal artifact near their workspace.
The Design Pitch
Now it was time to put together the design presentation deck to share my findings, concept, and recommendations for the new Prime Digital Academy Welcome Gift.
The concept would be a great addition to any workspace as a way to unwind from a stressful day of coding, remind yourself that you have your cohort to ask for help, and never forget the hard work you put in to finish your development program.
Lessons Learned
The cohorts at Prime are a tight-knit group of people who are excited about their journey through the remote learning of Prime. They are putting a lot of energy into this life-changing program. By making sure they never forget this experience, they will always be performing at a high level.
This was a great project to go back to my Industrial Design roots and uncover what I believe would be a great welcome gift. The feedback I received on the Full-Stack Artifact proved to be positive and encouraging. I am looking to further develop this concept and will be 3D modeling the concept for print production.