Design Thinking
Introduction
On 24th December 2018, all of first year software engineering students were assigned to attend a talk at Medini, Johor Bahru. The talk is separated into two part. The first part of the talk is mainly about virtual reality. Virtual reality is a term described a three-dimensional, computer generated environment that can be experience by a the user. The second part of the talk is about industrial revolution 4.0. The fourth industrial revolution is about artificial intelligence, IoT and big data.
There is five part of design thinking. The first part is empathy. The meaning of empathy is gaining general understanding about all of the problem that we are trying to solve. This part is the really important or crucial because we have to put every single own thought behind and try to put ourselves into the users shoes so that every single product that we make or produce fulfilled every single thing that the users need. The second part is define. In this part, we have to analyze every single observation we have made so far and we also have to synthesize it so that the core problem can be found. The third part is ideate. This part is where all of the fun begin. At this part we have to generate some ideas about solving the problem. We have to “think outside the box” about all of the solution to every single problem statement we have found so far. We have to find many alternative way to solve the problem so that we have some kind of backup plan. The fourth part of the design thinking process is prototype. At this part, we have to build our own inexpensive and scaled-down version of the final project so that we can found that whether the project solve all of the problem. The last step of the design thinking process is testing. This is the last part but it also can be the first step to produce a better or perfect product. We have to test the final product that we have made. If the product satisfied every single problem that have been appointed earlier. But if the product failed, a new problem statement is found. Every single failure will produce a new problem statement and the final product will be the perfect product.
DESIGN THINKING - PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION
So, as for our group, we discussed and decided to make and design to build a next generation study station for students since we are currently only had the typical one where just chairs and desks, and that’s enough to be called study station. It has become issues for students and society throughout all of the school especially in our beloved country, Malaysia. Realizing the current situation, we come and propose a solution during the model-building session where we build the next generation study station to solve all the problems related now.
Before moving forward and take a closer look to our what our solution look-like, it is significant to acknowledge all the problems so that our prototype and solution really solve the problems. Firstly, the main problem faced is lack of peaceful place to study. Next, the current place to study is exposed to outside environment which make it noisy from the sound made outside hence sound pollution become a normal phenomenon. Next, our study station seems really isn’t what is sounds like because of the unpleasant scenery from the study place. This really could affect the students’ study and make things worse. In addition, lack of drainage efficiency could also be fatal. This may seem not important in the other eyes, but it is indeed a serious problem though if we set a long-term vision. Last but now least, it is anticipated that lack of space for group discussion always had been problem since before. But still, it is happening around.
Realizing all this, we come to propose solution to these problem and for that, we presented in the form of modelling. The solution is simple, we applied the reverse solution technique. So as for the first problem, that’s why we came out with this idea, its to build a study place that provide serenity on top all of that. Second, about the sound pollution that disturbs the study experience, we consider and building this place that is far away from busy road since cars make noises, and also this place is indoor building and it is effectively equipped with sound proof system. Third, related to the scenery, of course we wanted this place is more convenient to relax and study so we will provide a lot of green plant inside this building and maybe a tree conservation perhaps. Also, in the middle of the place, there is water fountain that provides similar immersion as natural waterfall because the sounds made are relaxing and could make students especially, more focus on their study. Next, in term of drainage, this place provides an efficient water system that filter water. Lastly, this place is huge enough since the surrounding is equipped with VR technology that display wide scenery to make it become more realistically-spacious.
Design Thinking Evidence ( 5 Phases )
Empathy
In these modern days that are evolving rapid parallelly with the industrial revolution 4.0 , there have been many problems that grows along the way that need to be faced especially students. In others perspective, industrial revolution is the best thing that was created by humankind to change the way we used to live into another part of life that we have not been discovered before. However, the victim in this situation is the student. They have to catch up to everything that have been changed lately and implement it in their studies so that they are not left out in this futuristic world. Because of this, students will most likely to be facing problems such as stress. This is why need to have a place that can provide the students a serenity in continuing their studies. The usual student’s place mostly have their fault and are not perfect most of the time to meet the criteria needed for a student to focus in their studies.
Define
The core that we focused on is place for students for them to study efficiencly in an environment that provide them with what they needed to really immersed in their studies. First, a place can give the students to study in peace is the main goal on achieving this. An indoor place needs to be provided, so that all the business or any kind of outside distraction that have the effect of giving the students a hard time to study can be avoided. Next is a place where the students mind can be somewhat relaxed wheter it is because of the colour of the rooms or the scenary that is provided inside that place.
Ideate
Imagine a library, but with a much futuristic features. On achieving the required needs of a place that provided peace to students on continuing their studies, a place with a soundproof wall that will absord any kind of sound whether from inside or outside of that place. Also, that place needs to have a big space to avoid the students to feel cramped where it will cause them to be stressed. In addition to that, if that place has a big space, many group discussion can be formed and the students can discuss about their assignment, project or tutorial better. Last but not least, a scenary or anything similar to that can be provided such a future-ish fountain placed at the centre of that place that can be used as a medium to let the student to relax their mind.
Prototype
After finish discussing about every single problem statement, we started to build a prototype based on the solutions of every single problem statement. The first thing that we decided to do is, we build the study place very far away from busy road so that the sound pollution problem can be solves. Next thing we do is we build the base of the study place with a lot of drainage and we also installed an efficient water filter system that can filter all of the rain water coming from the drainage can be reuse back as a clean water for daily use. This also solves the problem about the drainage efficiency. We also build the place gigantically so that students that came to study there does not feel cramped because study at a cramped place can really effect the students studies. The next thing we do is, we build up the wall of the study place using mirror. We build it using mirror because we wanted to make it sound proof and we wanted to make the place like a virtual reality room with a lot of green scenery to provide serenity to the students. We also put several green plant to provide enough oxygen so that they do not feel asleep when they are studying. We also put a water fountain that provide similar immersion as natural waterfall to make the student feel really calm when they study. The water fountain produce low noise so that it will not disturb the student studies. This solves the problem that bad scenery will effect the students studies.
Building protoype for the design
Test
The last step of the design thinking is testing our prototype that have been made by my group. The way that we test our product is we present the product to all of software engineering students. Every single thing is explained in detail to all of them including the lecturer and the facilitator. After explaining our prototype to the audience, majority of them give us a standing ovation about our product but there is also some of the students give us some idea about how to improve our product. The prototype is perfectly done by my group but if we wanted to build a better place then we can follow their advice.
Testing the design
REFLECTION
I have been dreaming since school to be able to become a software engineer and that’s why I choose software engineering as my course.Also, to be able to create and develop something that is related to technology also one of my goals.
Design thinking actually thought me a lot about this and it does really help towards the goal. It is because a software engineer is not just has to be master in coding, but the way to think as well is important and by learning the design thinking techniques, I think it really bring me closer toward that dream.
I believe that by learning and just concentrate in class isn’t enough to improve my skills and potentials and to become more useful person for the industry. I think it is time for me to work harder by attending external courses, workshops, or maybe perhaps learn a lot of things such as coding over the internet.This is very crucial since classes cannot cover all of the related topics, they just bring us the guidance to which water we should drink, but how deep we took is we are the one who decide that.
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYuv2nmIPE&feature=youtu.be