Design Pulse
Duolingo for Design Thinking– Designing a Digital Tool
for Collabo XD to Enhance Designers' Skills by 70%
Design Pulse was a design innovation project. Design Pulse is an online learning platform that breathes life into the study of design thinking through interactive activities and collaborative learning experiences. It aims to transform traditional online education by making it more engaging, practical, and community-driven.
Worked with three other HCI graduate students as a part of a group project.
My contributions included desk research, conceptualization, brainstorming ideas, creating visual designs, contributing in user testing, and presentation of the final product.
Let's take a step back and think about how we all got used to studying or working from home when the pandemic hit.
It was a big change for everyone. Some of us found it kind of dull to be stuck at home all the time, but let's be honest, a lot of us actually liked it. There's something pretty great about being able to learn in your pajamas, right? And even now, with the world slowly getting back to normal, a lot of us still prefer to learn online.
It's clear that this isn't a small pond we're swimming in; it's an ocean teeming with potential learners and educators. If so many of us are wading through similar challenges, yearning for more engaging and interactive learning experiences, how many others out there are feeling the same? This exploration into the market size and total addressable market (TAM) was a wake-up call.
$5.5 Billion? Yes, you heard it right! That's how big E-Learning platform for Design Thinking is projected to grow by 2027.
Looking at the online learning market, we found a mix of established corporations, new startups, universities, and UX aficionados. Among all these groups, we decided to focus on working professionals. This group includes everyone from new hires to founders and CEOs, as well as learners who are always looking to get better at what they do.
Our next step was to get a full picture of the landscape. We dove into extensive research on our competitors, and also had in-depth conversations with students, professionals, and facilitators. This helped us uncover the real challenges and needs our users face every day –
When we joined all the dots, we finally had a clear and defined problem area –
When we joined all the dots, we finally had a clear and defined problem area –
“How might we integrate interactive elements and hands-on activities into the online workshop format, promoting a more dynamic and participatory learning experience?”
Despite gathering all the information, we still had doubts about whether the potential solution would hit the mark. So, we decided to put our ideas using ‘WIZARD OF OZ’ to the test with a proof of concept to see if they really held water.
..and the feedback?
The feedback from our proof of concept was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the inclusion of hands-on activities in the learning process. They appreciated the interactive approach, which made complex concepts more accessible and sparked further interest in the topics. While some suggested adding more group interactions to enhance the experience, most saw immediate practical applications for the methods learned, like affinity mapping.
So, What was our solution?
We built an interactive design learning tool, or as we call it ‘Duolingo for Design Thinking’.
Lets explore this tool!
Our tool is divided into three parts - Daily Learning and activities, Design Thinking Courses, and Online Group Activities.
The "Daily Learning and Activities" feature of Design Pulse revolutionizes the routine of learners by introducing daily, bite-sized challenges and activities, that build upon previous lessons, fostering a continuous and engaging design thinking education.
The Design Thinking courses offers a structured curriculum that guides users from foundational concepts to advanced strategies, all tailored to foster innovative problem-solving skills. These courses are structured to cater to a range of learners, from beginners curious about design thinking to experienced professionals looking to refine their skills. Interactive lessons, case studies, and project-based assignments create a dynamic learning environment where users can experiment, iterate, and learn from feedback.
Activities as a part of the courses
The courses in the app feature interactive activities like the Crazy 8 exercise, offering instant feedback to foster quick, diverse idea generation. This hands-on approach simulates real-world design sessions, making Design Pulse a unique platform for immersive, practical design learning.
This feature of Design Pulse enhances digital collaborative learning by enabling users to engage in real-time, interactive design challenges and projects with peers from different locations. It mirrors in-person workshops, encouraging teamwork and collective creativity, allowing for brainstorming, prototyping, and iterating on ideas remotely.
What did the users say?
We shared the idea and tested the prototype with a few design peers and also a couple of working professionals to gain some feedback. Everyone absolutely loved the idea, and expressed great excitement towards the interactive learning model of Design Pulse. Below are a few highlights of what the users liked –
Now, let's jump into business!
The business idea - ‘Workshop + DesignPulse = Holistic Learning’.
Our business strategy for Design Pulse begins with rolling out a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) focused on daily learning tasks and interactive activities. This initial offering aims to draw users in and cultivate an interest in this innovative form of learning. As we monitor user engagement and traction, our next step will be to develop a comprehensive course curriculum tailored to the needs and preferences of our growing user base.
Moving forward, our roadmap includes the development of a curriculum-based module that not only educates but also holds tangible value in the professional world through certification. We're also setting our sights on fostering a vibrant community of learners, where ideas can flourish and experiences are shared, enriching the learning process for all. These steps are designed to not only expand the reach and depth of our platform but also to cement its role as a cornerstone in the landscape of digital education, where learners can not only acquire new skills but also apply them in meaningful ways, thus bridging the gap between knowledge and application.
Design Pulse project opened up new possibilities by making design learning interactive and accessible to everyone.
