FINAL GROUP PRESENTATION

Business by Design Spring 2011

Learning Group Project Outline

“The Restroom Rethink”

15% of Final Grade

Project Brief:

Design thinking begins with a question that needs an answer, a problem that needs a solution. Design thinking matches necessity to utility, constraint to possibility and need to demand. How often do we come across an object, method, organization or facility that is “broken”? What are possible solutions to these poorly designed systems and products and how can we make these solutions more human-centered?

Over the course of the semester you have read and learned about various methods and models of design thinking. You, along with your group, will apply all that you have learned over the past few months to come up with an innovate solution using a “design thinking” process.

Project: The Restroom Rethink

Public restrooms are something we all use. Whether at school, a restaurant, or a park, at one time or another, we all use these facilities. It’s fair to say that most users of these facilities would agree that public restrooms are not “human centered”. Your final project assignment is to redesign a public restroom that is “human centered”. Use the IDEO model of design thinking (on the following page) and any other outside resources you find helpful.

Grading:

This assignment will focus a great deal on process. Documenting the design process is just as important as the end result. While engaging in innovative thinking, be sure to trace your journey. This documentation of idea accumulation, group meetings/brainstorming, user interviews, and product prototyping can come in many forms such as a group video, report etc… How you document this process is up to each group but be creative in your presentation. You must be able to sell us on the functionality and relevance of your restroom. Substance is key.

Each group will present their design process and redesign concept in class. Presentations will be 15 minutes long with 5-minute period of peer question and answer.

IDEO’s “Design Thinking” Process

Define

· Decide what issue you are trying to resolve.

· Agree on who the audience is.

· Prioritize this project in terms of urgency.

· Determine what will make this project successful.

· Establish a glossary of terms.

Research

· Review the history of the issue; remember any existing obstacles.

· Collect examples of other attempts to solve the same issue.

· Note the project supporters, investors, and critics.

· Talk to your end-users, that brings you the most fruitful ideas for later design, use empathy to better understand your demographic.

· Take into account thought leaders' opinions.

**Ideation

· Identify the needs and motivations of your end-users.

· Generate as many ideas as possible to serve these identified needs.

· Log your brainstorming session.

· Do not judge or debate ideas.

· During brainstorming, have one conversation at a time.

Prototype

· Combine, expand, and refine ideas.

· Create multiple drafts.

· Seek feedback from a diverse group of people, include your end users.

· Present a selection of ideas to the client.

· Reserve judgment and maintain neutrality.

Objectives

· Review the objective.

· Set aside emotion and ownership of ideas.

· Avoid consensus thinking.

· Remember: the most practical solution isn't always the best.

· Select the powerful ideas.

Implement

· Make task descriptions.

· Plan tasks.

· Determine resources.

· Assign tasks.

· Execute.

· Deliver to client.

Learn

· Gather feedback from the consumer.

· Determine if the solution met its goals.

· Discuss what could be improved.

· Measure success; collect data.

· Document.

**IDEO’s Rules for Brainstorming

1. Sharpen the Focus: Start the brainstorming process by clearly articulating a customer need.
2. Write playful rules: IDEO’s primary brainstorming rules are simple: “Defer judgment” and “One conversation at a time.”
3. Number your ideas: Totally okay to say things like, “Let’s go for 100 ideas.”
4. Build and jump: Brainstorming has a rhythm. It gathers momentum and then plateaus. Good facilitators know how to launch it, get out of the way, and then step back in when it slows.
5. Make the space remember: Use post-it notes, flip charts, white-boards and butcher paper. Advantage goes to movable and re-arrangeable.
6. Stretch your mental muscles: Start with warm-up exercises. Road-trips, videos, experiences all prime the pump to fire the imagination.
7. Get physical: Show-and-tell, build prototypes, cross-pollinate from other industries.

Helpful Resources:

Change by Design by Tim Brown

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink, pgs. 89-99

IDEO website:

IDEO Design Thinking Took Kit: