Prime Digital Academy
Physical Prototype Student Welcome Gift
Situation
Prime Digital Academy provides job training for Full Stack Engineering and UX that are designed to help Minneapolis residents get into the tech industry. Prime stakeholders hired me to design a new welcome gift for their future full-stack cohorts.
Originally Prime was providing a water bottle for each of their new students but the manufacturer of the bottles has gone out of business. Prime is looking for a more meaningful gift for their cohorts.
Partner
Tools & Methods
Sketch
Wireframes
Digitized Prototypes
Usability Testing
AEIOU Observations
Zoom
Student Survey
I conducted a digital survey on current Full Stack Students. Due to COVID-19 all of Prime’s programs have gone remote. My findings indicated that student’s are experiencing higher levels of stress due to them having to do all of their work from home and not being able to connect with their cohort. The Full Stack students explained that they were doing everything in their power to take care of their mental health during their studies. The students also explained that staying organized and having the correct technology to complete their job was important. Based upon my findings I began to brainstorm new gift ideas that would have a focus on improving the student’s experience.
Design Concepts
Keeping in mind the student’s desire to balance their mental health while staying organized and engaged through their technology, I created low-fidelity concepts for the gift redesign. I decided to move forward with the Centered concept and proceeded to create a physical prototype.
Prototype Meditation Journal
Full stack students would be encouraged to write out their emotions, struggles, successes and thoughts relating to their experience in the program. Student’s would be encouraged to engage in optional weekly meet ups where they can share what was written in their journal. The journal acts as a conduit for students to handle their stress levels and develop a more intimate connection with their cohort. Student Evaluation Sessions
“I love this idea. Mental health is so important”
- Full Stack Student
I conducted fifteen minute evaluations with current Prime Full Stack students. I asked them about their experience and stress levels with the program. They provided me with several ways that they are coping with the stress and how they are taking care of themselves. The student’s gave me positive feedback. They explained that a journal would help them continue prioritizing their mental health and ultimately increasing the quality of their work. They expressed that having their name and cohort name on the front cover was a very nice touch and that it would make the gift feel more meaningful. The majority of the students I spoke with stated that they would feel comfortable having weekly group meditations.
Design Proposal Presentation
I presented a keynote presentation to the president of Prime Digital Academy Mark Hurlburt. This presentation was done via zoom. I argued that the leather journal would help increase the student’s well-being by encouraging them to reflect on their daily mental health. This would lead to the student’s being more engaged with their cohort and having an overall greater sense of belonging in the program. Prime Digital Academy values include being human centered. The student’s having access to this journal would reflect the fact that Prime cares not only about preparing these students with the skills necessary to excel in their future careers but to also develop stress management skills that will set them apart from other job candidates.
Reflection
Mental health issues have been an important part of my life. I have several friends and family that have dealt with many issues in this area. The love and compassion that I have shown them influenced this project and allowed me to connect with the needs of the students. The idea of providing Full Stack students these journals brings a smile to my face because I know it will help improve their experience. They will be able to cope better with the intensity of the program and ultimately every student will feel cared for by their cohort. The knowledge that the students will receive in both technical skills and stress management skills will help them be more effective in their future careers.