As mentioned above, I use HDE as the main structure of my project. I believe this method fits me very well since it creates guidelines for creating economic and social impact with a design that is based on findings of potential users. This way, I enable myself to develop the three main EA’s -BE, CA and US- for which I create subgoals.
Business and Entrepreneurship
The two different topics of the projects also enable me to explore which business strategy (B2B, B2C, B2B2C) gives me the most energy. In addition, I want to use this semester to get familiar with different innovation strategies, business models and other aspects of running a business.
Next to the model needed for running a business, I also want to learn how to involve people. As written above, I like to connect experts and create an interaction between them to maximize the output. My goal for this year is to learn how to connect the experts and in which way. In order to create knowledge for this skill, I want to conduct an ideation session with different Valtech employees/experts and others.
Creativity and Aesthetics
An important part of HDE is the creation of Minimum Viable Products. In the process of designing these MVP’s, I want to learn how to quickly design and iterate in a way that set hypotheses are being answered. Within this part, I believe my bachelor and past working experience can come to fruition and contribute to the project.
In addition, I noticed that I lost my passion for designing. I lost my energy and it highly influenced my mental health. To tackle this struggle, my goals for this year is to design again, to create products and/or services. To make sure this goal will be achieved, this will be a result driven year. Based on the findings I collect during user tests and research, I will iterate on the design to make progress and finalize the concept to create social and or commercial impact.
User and Society
Running tests with the designed MVP’s is the next step of HDE. With this step, I will develop my skills in user testing and evaluating by using previously learned user evaluation methods. I believe that the combination of expertise in US and CA with a business mindset (BE) will make my profile unique.