Conceptual Design Methods
Group(3) project-Futuring
Feb 23-Apr 23
Design Brief
This project wants to challenge us in considering diversity, equity, and inclusion aspects towards mental well-being on campus. While sourcing for trends our main finding was that general society, especially younger generations are getting more isolated and lonelier.
Further we narrowed down the scope of mental well-being to:
"How social isolation of university students can be limited in
the future?"
Futuring is a method were alternative futures and their potential impact are considered. Both positive and negative scenarios can be used. The goal of futuring is to provoke discussion, reflect on the present and potentially even shape the now.
Brainstorming
Initially the trends related to mental wellbeing actors and factors were studied. Based on the results, ideas were brainstormed on broader scale taking consideration of trends, actors and factors on the chosen scope.
The ideas which are controversial and provoke discussions are chosen.We decided to proceed with spraying of socialized drugs into air was chosen.
Backcasting
The idea of spraying chemicals into air was chosen. The scenario was better defined using backcasting, from 2050 to the present along different factors .
Ideation
After backcasting, the idea was further developed based on the vision “2050”. Initially the ideas are ideated on a broader level and then some of the ideas which match the vision were chosen. Finally the “vision” of the product as shown below.
Final Concept
After the ideation process, the final concept is chosen. The final concept is modelled and a exact prototype is made. Further the prototype is used for testing with the focus groups and their reflections are noted.
Prototype Testing with Focus Groups
The prototype is placed under testing condition. A 2 minute newscast of the future and advertisement poster has been made supporting the artefact. After the user has listened to the newscast and understood the concept , a 5 min interactive session is done in order to reflect on the idea.
- What are your general feelings about this experience and when you are the students living in this world?
- Would you want to live in this future? Why , why not?
- Consider you are suffering from isolation or feeling lonely, then in that case would you agree with forced options for improving socialization ?
- Do you see similarities to the current situation on the campus?
- What if it was optional , would you consider this idea more?
Method Portfolio
