A1: Problem Statement
Explain and justify the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client / target audience
The Design Problem Statement is the foundation of any project or unit, especially in User-Centered Design. Think about the following:
Who are you making your product for?
What problem are they trying to solve?
Why are they trying to solve it?
What product or solution might address the issue?
Explain and justify how you are going to help them solve this Design Problem by developing the Problem Statement.
Rubric
1 - 2
states the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client / target audience
3 - 4
outlines the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client / target audience
5 - 6
explains the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client / target audience
7 - 8
explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem for a client / target audience
Instructions & Exemplars
General Instructions
Using the template provided, you can see how the design brief works. You explain the problems you are trying to solve and justify the need with evidence.
3D printing
Instructions:
This product will highlight the use of CAD & 3D printing but can incorporate other materials.
The focus is UCD (User-Centered Design).
When interviewing your client, they may not have a clear understanding of what assistive devices can be created using 3D printing. Here are some resources links to show them so they understand what type of objects can be created. Look through the examples and pick our a few to show your client:
Educational Toys
Instructions:
In this project, your target audience is an under-resourced school within the Vietnamese Community. The client you will be interviewing will be a UNIS Hanoi student in the Early Years.
You may choose to focus on one of the following target audiences:
Educational Toys
Lower ES Student (Ages 3 - 4)
Educational Tactile Toys
MS Student (Ages 10 - 13)
Some examples of toys that would go to rural and mountainous communities are wooden toys that are super sturdy and durable. These need to be good for outdoor use and use in dirt. Ideally they don't have too many small parts that can go missing.
The toys that are designed for visually-impaired students would ideally be tactile and engaging.
Let there be Light
Instructions:
In this project, you will need to address a particular target market/audience. Consider the following kinds of lamps when discussing options with your client:
Cultural
Decorative
Up-cycled materials
Themed (music, sports...etc)
Combination of the above
Think about what your light will be used for and use the template provided in the resources to detail a 'Problem Statement'.
Storage Decor
Instructions:
In this project, your target audience is your choice. However, it cannot be yourself. You must choose someone within your community that you can easily interview to determine what type of storage problem they might have that needs to be solved. Use the information provided under the resources icon to the right, to detail a 'Problem Statement'.
Where's the App?
Instructions:
In this project, your target audience is a grade 3 student in your local community of UNIS Hanoi. Your goal is to create a mobile application to help students understand an SDG Target better and ideally show them how to take action!
Your Problem Statement has been heavily scaffolded since we are under a tight deadline. You will only need to fill in the highlighted information based on your client's choice of SDG.
Once you know your client's SDG, go to GlobalGoals.org and select a Grade 3 appropriate target. You can also select more than one target if you choose.
Research statistics for your specific target on SDG-tracker.org and take a photo and link.
You can also find copyright-free images at Pexels.com and Unsplash.com
Find your client in the list and check the SDG they have chosen.
Go to the GlobalGoals.org/goals and click on the SDG your client selected.
Scroll down to the Targets. Read the goals that are defined under each Target to understand what success would look like.
Choose the Target(s) that are most appropriate for a Grade 3 student and begin researching statistics and information that might be useful.
In your Design Worksheet, navigate to A1 and look at the questions posed. Fill in the highlighted sections with some of your initial research.
Approaches to Learning
Empathize with your target audience
MYP.ATL.Social-Collaboration: Practice empathyWatch this little video to help illustrate what empathy is and why it's important to develop. Empathy is a major aspect of Design Thinking. Successful designers are those who can approach a problem from the perspective of both the client and target audience.
Click here to check out some sample Empathy Maps
Brainstorming
MYP.ATL.Thinking-Creativity and innovation: Use brainstorming and mind mapping to generate new ideas and inquiriesBrainstorming ideas is a great way to think about how to solve a problem that your target audience might have. A mind map is one of the most effective tools to use, but feel free to try some other creative ways to brainstorm if you find yourself stuck.
Here are two websites that provide design challenges to encourage divergent thinking!
Interviewing & Note Taking
MYP.ATL.Research-Information literacy: Collect, record and verify dataInterviewing someone takes guts, but there are ways you can take a lot of the pressure off of yourself and the interviewee. Here are some strategies:
Email or contact them in person to discuss the types of questions you are going to ask them. If possible, send them a list so they can prepare their answers.
Set up a time that is good for both of you and won't be rushed.
Take notes! When they answer one of your questions, be sure to jot down the main points of their answers.