The goal of this project was to improve the experience of 4th year students in Carleton University's School of Industrial Design. A human factors approach was used in order to gain insights into the challenges fourth year students were facing, and these insights determined which pain points could be improved on and how to do so.
Step 1: Data Collection
Prior to beginning our study, observations were conducted in the 4th year students' working environment. We then collected data by conducting 2 interviews and well as surveying 13 students.
Our objective was to gain insights about the 4th year students’ working environment, activities, interactions and goals during 4th year and after graduation. These insights were used to generate and explore ideas that could assist the students in their final year of study.
To gain further insights we conducted a 3 page survey that enabled us to generate ideas for exploring solutions. The main focus of the survey was to evaluate students' career goals, confidence in their design skills, awareness and understanding of the work force, and plans to pursue further eductation. Insights from the interviews helped to determine the survey questions.
Step 2: Data Analysis
We analysed the data collected from our observations, interviews and surveys. We gathered a total of 44 insights from the interviews. By combining data from the interviews, surveys and observations, we created an insight matrix based on the AEIOU principles which lead us to have 99 insights under activity, environment, interaction, object and user. An AEIOU mind mape was created to visually repre- sent the flow of activities by the 4th year students.
Step 3: Idea Generation & Exploration
When generating ideas, our objective was to focus on “after graduation”. After discussion with students and potential employers, our concepts are based on requirements that students need to either go straight to the workforce or pursue further education.
Step 4: Final Concept
The final concept is a package that is given to every student in 4th year. This elegant package would include a Resource Booklet containing a wealth of valuable information for students in the School of Industrial Design at Carleton, but will also act as a valuable resource for life after graduation.
The information in this booklet will assist students in pursuing design-related employment, education and skills and can be referred to at any point in the user's career. The information would also be available on a USB flash disk, making the information available digitally. The package can also be used by the student to organize their portfolio, resume and business cards during an interview.
In addition to the package, we also created a seminar outline for 4th year students. The seminar will expand on the contents of the Resource Booklet, with the aim of better preparing students for life after graduation from design school.
Step 5: Scenarios
