Minor Project - Project Design Experience & Reflection
22/09/2025 - 4/1/2026 / Week 1 - Week 15
Ye YingYing / 0364398
Minor Project / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Ye YingYing / 0364398
Minor Project / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Final Compilation & Reflection
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Week 1: Module Briefing & Team Formation
In Week 1, the module was introduced by Mr. Sylvian. During the session, we were briefed on the overall objectives and expectations of the minor project.
The project would be carried out in mixed, multidisciplinary groups, with the goal of proposing an innovative concept. The project emphasizes a human-centered design approach, requiring us to conduct empathy-driven research to better understand the needs, challenges, and lived experiences of our intended target audience.
Key requirements of the project include:
Week 2: Initial Research & Project Setup
In Week 2, we started working on Project 1. Our group leader shared a to-do list in our group chat.
This meeting was important in helping us clarify our ideas early on
and approach the client meeting with clearer goals and more structured
questions.
Here are my research findings.
After the week 4 class, we had another meeting, which is to divide who
is in charge of which group for the interview.
During the meeting, we also discussed how we will be conducting the
interview and how the whole empathy process works.
After all group members completed their interviews, we held an online
group meeting over the weekend of Week 5. During this session, we
discussed the next steps for the project, focusing on how to move
forward with the Affinity Diagram and the overall empathy analysis
process based on our interview findings.
We also received feedback from Dr. Wong, which was very helpful in
guiding our next steps. Based on the feedback, we refined and improved
our ideas, making sure they were more clearly aligned with user needs,
project objectives, and feasibility.
Week 8 & 9: Finalizing Concept & Mid-Term Preparation
During Weeks 8 and 9, we mainly focused on finalizing our proposed idea, which evolved into a service van concept designed to address the needs identified in our research and empathy analysis.
Week 10: Mid-Term Presentation & Feedback
In Week 10, we had our mid-term presentation. Overall, the presentation went well, and we were able to clearly communicate our concept and design process.
In addition to presenting our own work, we learned a lot from listening
to other groups’ presentations, which gave us new perspectives on
different approaches and ideas. We also received valuable feedback,
which will help us further refine and improve our project in the next
phase.
Based on the feedback received during the previous week, one key concern raised was how the project would be funded. Making the service fully funded was identified as challenging, especially in terms of sustaining it in the long run. To address this issue, I suggested positioning our service as a B2B model, where the service is provided to companies, communities, or organizations, rather than charging the workers directly.
This approach allows the service to be integrated into existing organizational budgets and welfare initiatives, while ensuring that workers can access the service without additional financial burden. The discussion helped strengthen the practicality of our proposal and made it more viable as a long-term solution.
Week 12: Prototype Planning & Consultation
In Week 12, we were expected to present our prototype plans and initial sketches during class. However, as we were slightly behind schedule, we used the class time for a group discussion and consultation with Dr. Wong instead.
During the consultation, Dr. Wong advised us to place ourselves in the users’ position and think more deeply about what the users would genuinely need in their daily working conditions. She encouraged us to explore additional and more meaningful features that could be integrated into the service van, while ensuring that every feature directly addressed real user needs rather than being added for complexity.
This feedback helped us reframe our thinking and consider more user-centered possibilities, guiding us toward a more thoughtful and impactful prototype direction.
After class, we held a group meeting to brainstorm together and explore as many possibilities as possible for our service van concept. Through this discussion, we developed a semi-mobile van service that provides practical support for our target users.
In addition, we discussed our user testing and prototyping plan. We
decided to use Minecraft to build a virtual prototype of the service
van, allowing us to design the interior layout and simulate the user
experience. We plan to record a detailed walkthrough video explaining
each feature and how users would interact with the service.
Alongside the van prototype, we will also design a website for CoolStop, which will display the van schedule and provide a contact platform for potential partners to reach out.
Finally, we divided the tasks among the group. Boying and I will be responsible for designing and developing the CoolStop website.
Week 13: Prototype Update & Website Development
In Week 13, during class, we presented our service van sketches to Dr. Wong and updated her on our recent changes and plans. She approved everything we had done so far and provided some guidance for moving forward:
Week 14: User Testing & Final Presentation Preparation
In Week 14, I conducted user testing with a food vendor, gathering feedback on our service van concept. After the session, I added a quick summary section under the interview transcript to highlight key insights and user reactions.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lBKWQrIvM8-63JyF1CW8xHd71VesJ85m?usp=sharing
Following the user testing, I began working on the final presentation
slides. My responsibilities included explaining the CoolStop website,
and I also helped with the user journey map and user task flow.
Week 15: Final Presentation
In Week 15, we had our final presentation. The day before, we conducted an online rehearsal to practice our delivery, ensure smooth transitions between sections, and refine the timing for each part of the presentation. The rehearsal helped us identify areas to improve and boosted our confidence, allowing us to present the project clearly and professionally to our client.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ojg62F5Yw6Mq3iEJDE__T8RmcDE0LIUL/view?usp=sharing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4. Reflection
INSTRUCTION
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DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Week 1: Module Briefing & Team Formation
In Week 1, the module was introduced by Mr. Sylvian. During the session, we were briefed on the overall objectives and expectations of the minor project.
The project would be carried out in mixed, multidisciplinary groups, with the goal of proposing an innovative concept. The project emphasizes a human-centered design approach, requiring us to conduct empathy-driven research to better understand the needs, challenges, and lived experiences of our intended target audience.
Key requirements of the project include:
- Empathy research and analysis
- Insights into real user problems
- Evaluation of product or service functionality and effectiveness
- Consideration of technical innovation and challenges
- Attention to aesthetics and design appreciation
- Kimberly Miaw Jya Nee (Project Leader)
- Ye Ying Ying (Me)
- Komugi Uchibori
- Tan Sing Yee
- Nathan Wira Susanto
- Zhou Boying
- Yong Sun Lu
Week 2: Initial Research & Project Setup
In Week 2, we started working on Project 1. Our group leader shared a to-do list in our group chat.
And each group member was tasked with conducting general research
related to our chosen topic to build a shared foundation of
knowledge.
I helped with setting up our FigJam board, which we used as a collaborative space to collect and organize ideas. I also uploaded and organized my general research findings onto the board.
I helped with setting up our FigJam board, which we used as a collaborative space to collect and organize ideas. I also uploaded and organized my general research findings onto the board.
Later on, our group leader asked each group member to come up with at
least one interview question for the client in preparation for the
Week 3 meeting.
Before meeting with the client, we held our first group meeting to
align our understanding and prepare more effectively. The meeting
agenda included:
- Going through the project brief together to ensure a shared understanding
- Discussing and brainstorming possible directions and solutions for the project
- Reviewing all proposed interview questions and narrowing them down into a focused set
Week 3: Client Meeting
This week, we had our first meeting with our client, Dr. Praveena,
which went smoothly. She shared valuable insights about the project,
helping us better understand the context and objectives. After the
meeting, our group leader circulated the meeting notes in the group
chat for everyone’s reference.
Following this, we held our second group meeting with the agenda to:
- Discuss which target user groups to focus on
- Begin developing user personas
- Street Police
- Farmers
- Food Vendors
- Cleaners
- Dog Walkers
- Joggers
After meeting, to finalize our target users, our group leader sent out a poll in the group chat, and we decided to focus on:
- Street Police / Security Guards
- F&B Vendors / Hawkers
These groups are more relevant because they spend long hours working outdoors and have limited control over their working conditions, making them more exposed to heat stress.
During the discussion, we also had a small confusion about the concept of persona. To clarify this, our group leader reached out to Dr. Wong for further explanation.
Dr. Wong provided a clear definition, and our group leader also recorded a short video summary (https://youtu.be/P3A0vrSDNwI) to make sure everyone in the group understood it clearly.
Week 4: Empathy Phase - Preparing Interview Questions
After we had chosen our target user, our group leader made
another list for us to follow.
Here are the potential interview questions I came up with.
Week 5: Empathy Phase - Conduct Interview & Individual Insight
Extraction
In Week 5, each group member conducted at least one user interview to
gather first-hand insights from our target users.
I did observation and interviewed a vendor owner to better understand
their daily working conditions, challenges, and experiences related to
heat exposure.
Drive Folder link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qBzHmOrCuCfT43fEHspDRgY-Q1Xpw-Db?usp=sharing
After the interview, I transcribed the conversation, highlighted the
key points, and extracted the most important insights. These insights
were then converted into sticky notes for our affinity mapping
process, allowing us to identify patterns, recurring issues, and
meaningful user needs.
Together, we reviewed the clustered insights, identified emerging
patterns, and discussed how these insights could be translated into
clearer user needs and problem statements. This meeting was important
in helping us align as a team and ensure that our analysis was
consistent and grounded in real user data.
Week 6: Empathy Phase - Finalizing Analysis & Task 1
Submission
In Week 6, we focused on finalizing our interview analysis and key
findings. Based on the insights gathered, we developed user personas,
problem statements, and “How Might We” questions to clearly define the
core issues faced by our target users.
Following this, we had a group discussion to explore potential
proposed ideas that could address the identified problems.
Our group leader then outlined the structure and content required for
the Task 1 presentation slides, and each group member was assigned a
specific section to work on. My role focused on the empathy section,
which I worked on together with Kimberly, ensuring that our interview
insights were accurately represented and clearly communicated.
After all sections were completed, our group leader conducted a final
review and consistency check before submitting Task 1. This week
marked an important milestone, as it brought together our research,
analysis, and initial design thinking into a cohesive submission.
Week 7: Ideation & Feedback Integration
Week 7: Ideation & Feedback Integration
In Week 7, we conducted a Crazy 8s brainstorming session during class,
where each group member quickly sketched out multiple idea concepts
within a limited time. This activity encouraged fast thinking and
helped generate a wide range of ideas without overthinking.
Here is the finalised POV statement after the feedback.
Week 8 & 9: Finalizing Concept & Mid-Term Preparation
During Weeks 8 and 9, we mainly focused on finalizing our proposed idea, which evolved into a service van concept designed to address the needs identified in our research and empathy analysis.
At the same time, we worked on preparing for the mid-term
presentation.
For the mid-term presentation, only Kimberly, Yong, Nathan, and I were
able to present. My assigned section covered User Persona 2 through to
the “How Might We”.
Week 10: Mid-Term Presentation & Feedback
In Week 10, we had our mid-term presentation. Overall, the presentation went well, and we were able to clearly communicate our concept and design process.
Below is the presentation feedback and our next action plan (organized
by group leader kim)
Week 11: Finalizing Concept
In Week 11, we continued finalizing our proposed idea and focused on
addressing the issue from the feedback we received last week.Based on the feedback received during the previous week, one key concern raised was how the project would be funded. Making the service fully funded was identified as challenging, especially in terms of sustaining it in the long run. To address this issue, I suggested positioning our service as a B2B model, where the service is provided to companies, communities, or organizations, rather than charging the workers directly.
This approach allows the service to be integrated into existing organizational budgets and welfare initiatives, while ensuring that workers can access the service without additional financial burden. The discussion helped strengthen the practicality of our proposal and made it more viable as a long-term solution.
Week 12: Prototype Planning & Consultation
In Week 12, we were expected to present our prototype plans and initial sketches during class. However, as we were slightly behind schedule, we used the class time for a group discussion and consultation with Dr. Wong instead.
During the consultation, Dr. Wong advised us to place ourselves in the users’ position and think more deeply about what the users would genuinely need in their daily working conditions. She encouraged us to explore additional and more meaningful features that could be integrated into the service van, while ensuring that every feature directly addressed real user needs rather than being added for complexity.
This feedback helped us reframe our thinking and consider more user-centered possibilities, guiding us toward a more thoughtful and impactful prototype direction.
After class, we held a group meeting to brainstorm together and explore as many possibilities as possible for our service van concept. Through this discussion, we developed a semi-mobile van service that provides practical support for our target users.
The proposed features include:
- Resting area with benches or seats
- Hydration options, such as water, energy drinks, electrolyte drinks, coconut water, and herbal drinks
- Cooling support, including disposable cooling towels and a portable fan borrowing or rental station
- Quick shower area with two cubicles
- Charging area for electronic devices
- Storage area, similar to small lockers
- Sink and hand sanitisation station
- Digital wellness display showing safety and health tips
- First aid kit
- Waste disposal bins
During the meeting, we also decided on the service name,
CoolStop, and finalized our colour theme, which will be used
consistently across our prototype and presentation materials.
Alongside the van prototype, we will also design a website for CoolStop, which will display the van schedule and provide a contact platform for potential partners to reach out.
Finally, we divided the tasks among the group. Boying and I will be responsible for designing and developing the CoolStop website.
Week 13: Prototype Update & Website Development
In Week 13, during class, we presented our service van sketches to Dr. Wong and updated her on our recent changes and plans. She approved everything we had done so far and provided some guidance for moving forward:
- Creating the prototype using Minecraft is fine, but it should be detailed and visually clear.
- All features and elements must link back to our goals and “How Might We” (HMW) statements.
- Using AI tools is allowed, but any usage must be properly acknowledged.
After class, we continued working on our assigned tasks. Boying and I
worked on designing and developing the CoolStop website together,
ensuring it aligns with the overall project concept and user
experience goals.
Once all components were finalized, we were ready to move on to the user
testing phase, marking the next important step in validating our service
van concept.
Here is the to do list our group leader made to guide us for week
14.
Week 14: User Testing & Final Presentation Preparation
In Week 14, I conducted user testing with a food vendor, gathering feedback on our service van concept. After the session, I added a quick summary section under the interview transcript to highlight key insights and user reactions.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lBKWQrIvM8-63JyF1CW8xHd71VesJ85m?usp=sharing
Week 15: Final Presentation
In Week 15, we had our final presentation. The day before, we conducted an online rehearsal to practice our delivery, ensure smooth transitions between sections, and refine the timing for each part of the presentation. The rehearsal helped us identify areas to improve and boosted our confidence, allowing us to present the project clearly and professionally to our client.
And during the meeting, we also planned a short pre-rehearsal right
before the actual presentation to ensure everyone was aligned and
confident with their parts.
Overall, the presentation went smoothly, and we received constructive
feedback from the client. One key suggestion was to reconsider our
business model, specifically, to explore shifting from a B2B model to a
B2C approach, where users are charged a reasonable fee for the service.
This feedback provided valuable reflection on both our concept and
presentation. Based on the feedback received, we made improvements to
our proposal, refining our findings to be more detailed and clearly
supported by user research.
FINAL SUBMISSION
Group Google Drive Folder:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LaTp9sNn1V8BXEs9IeiDAbRu2fDdZ3CD?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LaTp9sNn1V8BXEs9IeiDAbRu2fDdZ3CD?usp=sharing
FigJam Board
T1 Presentation Deck
T2&3 Final Presentation Deck
Final Prototype - CoolStop Service Van
CoolStop Service Van Walkthrough Video
CoolStop Service Van Website
Overall, this module taught me a lot about design thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Even though the workload was heavy and sometimes stressful, the learning experience was very deep and meaningful. I learned how to translate research insights into actionable design solutions and the importance of keeping users at the center of the process. I also realized that design is not just about completing tasks or creating something visually appealing but about creating meaningful solutions that genuinely help people. Working on this project has made me more confident in my ability to contribute to a team and think critically about real-world problems and I feel proud of what our team accomplished together.
This module has been really stressful and packed. There
were so many tasks to do in a short period, from conducting
research, interviews, and empathy analysis to brainstorming
ideas, prototyping, and preparing presentations. At times,
it felt overwhelming to manage everything and make sure our
work was thorough. Despite the stress, the experience was
meaningful. It was exciting to work on a project that made
us think deeply about how we can help people and make the
world a better place. The full design thinking process, from
understanding users, defining problems, generating ideas, to
testing and refining solutions, taught me a lot. Activities
like crazy 8 brainstorming, user testing with real
participants, and building the Figma prototype made the
process hands-on and fun, giving me a sense of real
accomplishment.
Finding
Observation
I realized that understanding the
users’ perspective is harder than it seems. It requires
patience, careful observation, and thoughtful analysis.
Turning insights from interviews into clear user needs,
problem statements, and How Might We questions was
challenging, but I learned a lot from it. Feedback from Dr
Wong and other groups was helpful in improving our ideas and
making our solutions more realistic and
user-centered. I also noticed that breaking down large
tasks into smaller parts and collaborating closely made the
workflow smoother and more manageable.
Overall, this module taught me a lot about design thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Even though the workload was heavy and sometimes stressful, the learning experience was very deep and meaningful. I learned how to translate research insights into actionable design solutions and the importance of keeping users at the center of the process. I also realized that design is not just about completing tasks or creating something visually appealing but about creating meaningful solutions that genuinely help people. Working on this project has made me more confident in my ability to contribute to a team and think critically about real-world problems and I feel proud of what our team accomplished together.
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