Ideal Wallet
Engage: The Ideal Wallet. My ideal wallet is in two parts. I want a separate one for my coins and a separate one for my paper bills and cards which is my main wallet. My main wallet should have compartments on the side that will include a bus card and on the other side, a photo card. Ever since I visited a country that had a different transportation system than the Philippines, I have always wanted a wallet that I can tap as well. The photo card will have BTS’s face on it. I have a habit of counting my money after arriving home. I remove receipts from my wallet and transfer them to an envelope. I like my wallet light and thin. I have never lost a wallet but I also never intend to lose one. To keep my wallet secure, I want a chain attached to it.
Engage: The Interview. My partner for this activity was a classmate named, Hephzibah. Her ideal wallet is different from mine. Her bills and cards, and coins are in one whole wallet. She used to put her phone in her wallet. Unfortunately, she lost her wallet and her phone. Now, she prefers a foldable wallet keeping her phone in a different place. She prefers to have a different compartment for her receipts, bills, and coins. A compartment for a photocard should be included as well. The brand of the wallet does not matter to her as long as the contents are satisfactory. Since Hephzibah pays attention to her outfits, the wallet’s style should easily fit various outfits. The color should be black, white, or brown.
Engage: Digging Deeper. Hephzibah’s wallet is focused on convenience and style. The wallet matches her personality and attitude. While I am fine with my reward cards, identification cards, and receipts in one place, she prefers them in separate places. Instead of listing down her expenses, she tends to keep all the receipts in her wallet. Despite coins being heavy, she is fine with keeping them in one whole wallet. Others prefer their wallets to look fancy, however, Hephzibah is content with a simple-looking wallet.
Engage: Goals. Wallets do not only contain money. They also contain memories, pictures, and proof of purchases. For Hephzibah, she can still remember the time when she lost her phone and her wallet all at once. She simply wants to keep her valuables safe and her style in check.
Engage: Insights. Looking into someone’s wallet is similar to entering someone’s room. You can see parts of that person scattered across. You can understand a person better when you see their wallets and listen to their reasons why they keep them that way. Sometimes they have it that way because they just do. No reason whatsoever. However, sometimes they maintain things in a certain way because of past experiences, preferences, security, or convenience. Despite my first impressions of Hephzibah, she is apparently not what she seems. Her things tend to be a bit messy and a little clumsier than expected. We have similarities and differences which makes it more fun and encouraging to know more about how other people keep their wallets.
Explain: Point of View. Hephzibah needs a way to keep her valuables safe, organized, within reach, and her style in check because she once lost her phone and wallet altogether.
Explain: Idea Generation. Problem: Hephzibah once lost her phone and wallet altogether. Hephzibah simply wants to keep her valuables safe, organized, within reach, and her style in check.
- Chain a tracker to the wallet. The tracker can be installed on a mobile device to monitor its location.
- Keep track of the contents. Maintain a periodical statement, clip receipts, and put them in envelopes.
- Develop a habit of counting and decluttering after arriving home or going to sleep.
- When out, develop a habit of keeping the wallet within reach and/or within sight.
- Buy a wallet that can easily match various colors such as white, black, or brown.
Elaborate: Presenting the Solution and Getting Feedback. Hephzibah agreed to all of the radical ways and the features I suggested for her ideal wallet.
Elaborate: Reiterate Based on Feedback. She did not disagree to how the wallet is designed. Other suggestions that involve developing habits may take a longer time, however, she agreed to them all also.
Elaborate: Build your solution
Elaborate: Share Your Solution and Get Feedback
What worked…Since Hephzibah agreed to how the wallet will look like with the smart tag and the wrist strap. Developing habits and adhering to them may take some time.
What could be improved…A smart tag’s location can be detected through a mobile phone. It can also ring when prompted. A chip can also be inserted inside the wallet. A smart tag is one of the most realistic products that she can easily access at the moment. She can also scan her receipts or have certified digital copies instead of keeping them in an envelope. There are also apps that she can also install on her mobile devices to help her input and keep track of her financial statements.
Questions…There can be difficulties in inputting and filing periodic financial statements. Also, what if the smart tag detaches?
Ideas…Chips that can be inserted in wallets can also be synced with mobile devices or wallets can ultimately be digital, completely integrated into phones.
Elaborate: Gather, Compose, Debrief, and Ask Yourself the following questions:
- How did talking to your interviewee inform or influence your design?
Asking for the feedback of the interviewee, in other words, the person who will be utilizing the wallet, made differences in how I should make and approach in designing the wallet. From the interview, I gathered what Hephzibah considers, needs, and wants. Although the owner of the wallet themself can design their own wallet, an external designer may also bring their own different perspectives and ideas which can also influence the design of the wallet.
- How did talking to your interviewee inform or influence your design?
Asking for the feedback of the interviewee, in other words, the person who will be utilizing the wallet, made differences in how I should make and approach in designing the wallet. From the interview, I gathered what Hephzibah considers, needs, and wants. Although the owner of the wallet themself can design their own wallet, an external designer may also bring their own different perspectives and ideas which can also influence the design of the wallet.
2. How did testing and getting feedback impact your final design?
The instructions for the activity also provided us with time limits such as how many minutes we should sketch our own ideal wallets and interviewing one another. Testing and getting feedback helps reconsider and trying out the product. To ensure that goals and wishes can be satisfactorily met, testing and getting feedback is important.
3. What was the most challenging part of the process for you?
The most challenging process was reimagining the product into a sketch. I am not talented in drawing so it was quite difficult to showcase what I had in mind. The interview helped me gather information on how I can improve her ideal wallet so I adhered to what aspects can be improved and what can make things convenient for her.
