So far I have done brainstormed and done ideation for my project, finding 5 possible ideas and taking each one through a SWOT analysis. I am now going to consider 3 of them more deeply. I am going to define the user for each, map out the current journey, and consider potential interventions or solutions.
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Transitioning into adulthood is a very significant and daunting part of life. We are expected to take on a lot of new responsibilities and become more independent. Some people thrive at this stage of life, while others struggle more with the transition. BBC analysis of young people in the UK shows that they are having a tougher time than ever starting adulthood. More than 40% of 25-year-olds are living with their parents and employment rates have fallen. Because of this, it is harder for young people to move on into independence because they are worried about finances and getting employment.
The evidence that shows today's 20-somethings really do have it worse
Problem Statements
I am a 25-year-old male who just moved out my parents house. I am becoming more independent and taking on new responsibilities around the house, such a cleaning, laundry, and looking after appliances. I don't always know what I am supposed to do or how to do it. I often have to rely on my parents to help me. I want a simple way to understand the practical responsibilities of adulthood and feel more confident managing them myself.
I am a 22-year-old female who is still living with my parents but I want to move out soon. I am struggling to handle my finances and struggling to find guidance on how I can best move into my own home, as it seems impossible to afford a mortgage or rent without it eating my money away.
I am a 26-year-old male who recently moved into a house with my girlfriend. We are finding it hard to manage the house as we both work a lot of hours and don’t have time to learn how to properly cook or learn DIY and maintenance skills.
Intervention/Deliverable
A learning-based application which guides young people through different areas of adulthood, in a friendly and non-patronising way. They can choose which areas that they want to learn more about, and don’t have to do ones that they already know about or are confident in. This could take form in an app or web application, with tips on how to manage a house, sort out finances, cooking, and other life administration that adults face.
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Everybody uses a lot of different tech and appliances on a daily basis, and it can be hard to keep up with the health of each one, especially because they can be highly technical and expensive to get an expert to come out and look at. Things like phone batteries deteriorating, washing machines making strange noises, and fridges not working properly can cause a lot of stress unless they are fixed.
Problem Statements
My mobile phone isn't working properly, but I don't know what is wrong or what I should do next. I don't know whether I can fix it myself, need professional help, or should replace it.
I need to decide whether to repair or replace something I own, but I don't know if paying for a repair is worth the cost. I usually ask Google but it sometimes doesn’t have the answer. I want to understand the potential costs and options before spending money.
I want to make more sustainable choices with my technology and appliances, but I don't know when repairing something is better than replacing it. I want to understand the environmental and financial impact of my options before making a decision.
Intervention/Deliverable
A diagnostic application that allows users to enter in details manually or type in a product code that automatically knows the state and health of a tech product or appliance. It will give them recommendations on what they can do to solve the problem, where they can get it fixed, or recommend a replacement if they need to get something changed.
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Similar to the previous idea, a lot of people are using tech and appliances as part of their daily life. This means that at some point they will have to buy something that they have never used before and will require some sort of setting up, building, or onboarding. This process is often done using manual instructions that can be hard to read and understand. Because of this people often turn to YouTube videos but this can also lead to searching for a video for a long time.
Problem Statements
I have bought a new coffee machine but I don't know how to set it up correctly. The instructions are confusing and difficult to follow or spread across different websites and videos. I want a simple and clear way to set it up without feeling overwhelmed.
I have a new wardrobe that I need to build, but the instructions are too complicated and difficult to follow. I don't understand the technical language or know which steps apply to my particular product. I want instructions that are simple, visual and easy to follow.
I am setting up a printer and something isn't working as expected. I don't know whether I have made a mistake or whether there is a problem with the product. I want clear guidance that helps me identify what has gone wrong and understand what I should do next.
Intervention/Deliverable
An application that walks users through setting up, building, or onboarding a new product. This can be tech, appliances, or even furniture and devices. Users could scan a QR code that walks them through building that particular product. This removes the need for manual instructions that are confusing and in lots of different languages, and also users searching for the right YouTube video.
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