Week 7 – Ideation

During class, we received feedback on the axis we created. Our goal was to illustrate that our personas, Noy and Ron, are navigating the "race of life" through actions and decisions. To symbolize this, we envisioned a winding road with a crosswalk appearing at the pivotal moment when Noy chooses to take an active step toward solving her problem—such as consulting a couples counselor, psychologist, or other expert. The crosswalk symbolizes her transition from a state of helplessness and frustration to one of openness and action, where she seeks help and solutions. This transition will be highlighted with a "pedestrian" sign or an arrow pointing toward a "new direction," symbolizing a movement from a lack of resolution to active problem-solving. Beyond illustrating this change, the crosswalk also represents Noy's acknowledgment of her need for change, adding depth to the timeline by showcasing her personal growth and understanding that a journey is required to resolve her challenges.

In another part of the lesson, we were asked to consider the concept of "copying the best" by identifying products or services that people appreciate for their functionality and emotional appeal. We brainstormed three examples: the Wolt app, a car, and a candle. Wolt app inspired themes of abundance, order, availability, and, most importantly, transparency, demonstrated by ETA tracking, which eliminates ambiguity and ensures clarity. Similarly, a car highlights values ​​like independence, availability, and adaptability (e.g., personalizing settings such as music and features). From these, we focused on availability and independence. Finally, a candle represented both a symbol of prestige and an aesthetic design item, evoking a nostalgic and intimate atmosphere.

After analyzing these features, we decided to narrow the project's context to three core principles: transparency, availability, and independence —while also incorporating energy efficiency. For transparency, we envisioned tools such as a build-up timeline for a date, countdowns, and playful hints to build anticipation. For availability and independence, we emphasize allowing users control over time and location, even in spontaneous situations tailored separately to each partner. Inspired by the candle, we sought to integrate a solution that complements both routine and a nostalgic, "old-school" ambiance.

During the class, we were guided to use a structured approach to outline our solution, detailing the customer scenario. This included defining our user, their specific need or challenge (HMW - How Might We), and the proposed solution, alongside a scenario that presents a detailed narrative of the user's experience with the solution.

For the remainder of the week, we were tasked with refining our solution by consulting experts, conducting academic research, and reflecting on what we've learned, preparing for the next session.