Welcome Gift Redesign
Setting students up for success from day one
TL;DR
Summary: Prime Digital Academy is a tech boot-camp based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have historically given water bottles to their full-stack students as a welcome gift, however they desired a gift that was more meaningful, personal, and practical. By keeping Prime’s values in mind and identifying student needs, I designed and developed a unique and functional product: the Fully Stackable Desk Organization Trays for full-stack students. Giving these trays as a welcome gift shows that Prime Academy cares about their students by anticipating their needs and helping them feel welcome in their new fast-paced environment so that students are set up for success from day 1
Tools: Google Slides, Otter.ai
Deliverables:
Role: Researcher, UX/UI Designer
Methods: Observational research using AEIOU framework, heuristic analysis, low-fidelity physical prototyping, moderated usability testing
The Problem
Prime Academy gives a gift to new full-stack program students on day 1 of their in-person learning experience in order to welcome the students to campus. Their current gift is a water bottle, and while it does serve its key functions, it lacks an aesthetic and minimalist design and is not efficient in its use. Prime Academy leadership wanted a new gift that was more tailored to student’s needs and asked designers to create prototypes and present their ideas for an updated gift.
The Process
Research
To start, Heuristic Analysis was completed for Prime’s current gift of a water bottle in order to detect usability concerns:
Next, primary research needed to be conducted in order to assess the needs of full-stack Prime students. Observational research was completed using the AEIOU framework; students were observed at their home workspaces via remote video. Common themes that emerged from this research in regards to student’s needs in their workspaces include:
The need for uncluttered workspaces in order to focus on the task at hand
The desire for frequently-used items to be easily accessible while working
A calm environment that promotes focusing for long periods of time
Design
With the user’s needs in mind, 3 gift prototypes were developed that would improve their Prime experience
Pin-up critiques were done with colleagues and the 3 designs were narrowed down to 1 and further revisions were made
After revisions were complete, a physical prototype was build using tools and materials at Leonardo’s Basement in South Minneapolis
Prototype and Testing
After a physical prototype was created, I developed a research protocol in order to evaluate the prototype in front of real users. Three current full-stack students were interviewed using this protocol with the following goals in mind:
To better understand the need for this product
Do participants already have organization systems in place or would something new be helpful?
Gain insights around what aspects of the design are most desirable
Materials, colors, shape, etc
Identify the context where this product would be helpful
At home, at work, other places?
The Results
Because of the thorough research process, refinement after critiques in the design process, and keeping users’ needs in front of mind, results from user testing were overwhelmingly positive.
Students found the Fully Stackable Desk Organizers to be unique, utilitarian, aesthetically pleasing, and practical.
Users also provided feedback for features that could be included in future high fidelity prototypes, including magnets to attach the boxes and small adjustments to the compartment sizes.
These results were presented to stakeholders at a 5-minute client pitch presentation. The Fully Stackable Desk Organizers for full-stack students met its goal of being a unique and meaningful welcome gift that students will be able to use for years to come.
The Takeaways
Throughout the research, prototyping, evaluation, and proposals the users were kept a priority in this welcome gift redesign process. Because of this, the final product is functional and memorable; students will be reminded of Prime Academy each time they look at it.
The trays are stackable, intentionally simple and minimalist, have handles that were burned with the Prime logo, and are color coded for organization. The natural pattern and raw wood bring a tactile and handmade quality to what is oftentimes a cold tech space. During long hours of coding, students will be able keep their desk organized, important items nearby, and mind free to focus on the task at hand.
Full-stack students were impressed with the low-fidelity prototype and offered up feedback that will be utilized in the next step of high-fidelity prototyping.
The Fully Stackable Desk Organizers are an exciting and personal gift that full-stack students will utilize for years to come.
