How might we enhance the relocation experience for young professionals in a new city through curating curiosity and exploration?

PROBLEM

Moving to a new place is challenging

Notice & Empathize

I started with the direction of fostering kindness in the city. I narrowed down to the existing problem space through user research and observation

I started with observing and noting down what kindness looks like in the city.

Then, I distilled insights through my interview results with the class's interview results through affinity mapping and decided to focus on the challenges around moving to a new city.

DEFINE

Clarify design requirements through emotions, attributes, and moodboard

Emotions

Attributes

Moodboard captures inspiration that represent emotions and attributes I set for myself

IDEATE

Sketch, 10 sketch models, storyboard

Made 10 sketch models to brainstorm and reflect on the solutions in my problem space

Through hands-on making, I explored the form and function of each solution that I previously sketched and noted down what I liked, what I wondered, and what I learned from each prototype. Combining my reflections with learnings I received from my classmates, I proceeded with making 3 higher-fidelity sketch models to narrow down.

Used storyboard to document the before vs after state

Storyboarding allowed me to further clarify the problem I'm solving as well as the key functionality of the solution I'm building. It allowed me to incorporate the product attribute and emotions I'm eliciting through the product.

Narrowing down to 3 ideas with high-fidelity sketch models and sketches

Design Inspiration

I experimented with using Playground AI to gain inspiration when generating ideas to create sketches and high-fidelity sketch models.

High-fidelity Sketches

High-fidelity Sketch Models

PROTOTYPE

Based on user feedback and the novelty of the idea, I decided to pursue the Cityscape Calendar idea

I gathered feedback by talking to four individuals who recently moved to new cities. They expressed a common desire to familiarize themselves with the urban environment and make friends. Contrary to my assumption of daily interaction in by the bedside table, they prefer interacting with the product on a weekly basis, placing it in the living room or foyer as a conversation starter for friends.

High-fidelity prototype

I created the initial CityLoom prototype using OnShape, a laser cutter, and a 3D printer. The product encourages users to explore a specific category (e.g., nature, community events) weekly during the first two months in a new city. The collected artifacts assemble on a map, serving as a memory keepsake.

TEST

Clarifying assumptions to set testing directions

My Desirability Assumptions

I reflected on what is the most important assumption that will make my design a complete failure. I decided to focus on the "useful" aspect when coming up with the testing plan.

I tested both the form and functionality of the design through interviews and surveys

In terms of the form, I focused on the scale, color, and material when testing with target users (young professionals age 22-30). I lasercut various sizes and shapes of the cardboard design and received feedback preferring soft edges and smaller scale.

For functionality testing, I engaged with users, particularly those who recently moved, to understand their information needs in a new city like Philadelphia. I observed their reactions to the content I provided and gathered insights through interviews. Additionally, I conducted a survey to gauge perceptions of Philadelphia, including associating colors and identifying hidden gems. Both the survey and interviews informed the content and experience I aim to deliver.

ITERATION

Incorporating feedback into the design

CityLoom 2.0 combines new resident's interests in connecting new people with the pre-planned exploration guides to immerse one in the local scenes.  

"I would be more inclined to explore with someone else".

Give the inclination to explore with others and the struggle to meet new people when first moving to a new place, I added the digital element that paired people with an adventure buddy / group to unlock their CityLoom experience together.

Upon hearing the desire to avoid chaos in the new space, I redesigned the previous display to a vertical format representing the city skyline.

I downscaled the final package design by more than 50% to represent a portable gift option for new residents.

Each drawer represents a category (i.e. nature, art etc.) about the city that drew the most interests to new residents based on the survey feedback I collected.

The design of the box is also meant to be more sustainable with the possibility of reusing it as jewlery box or storage boxes.

REFLECTION

What do I wish I had done differently?

• Create a journey map that illustrates how the user would interact with my product. Having a journey map format that documents well about the current user journey and how CityLoom addresses the painpoints could make it more powerful.
• Conducting a few in-person experience prototype testing. For the experience testing I did, I only sent the content through texts or walked people through in-person. If I had more time and direct access to people who recently moved to a new city, I would present the product in front of them to take them on an exploration and use their interactions to better inform my product.