2D graphic with people surrounding a table

BlockMod

(2020)

Giving online feedback to design students is inefficient. BlockMod helps educators in the design field save time and frustration by turning the space around the user into a studio.

Since its conception, the idea underwent several iterations. The initial objective of BlockMod was to help students express themselves easily. However, after several interviews and feedback from potential users, the problem statement evolved to what it is today.

This is our journey of understanding the problem and formulating a solution.

Project Overview

Idea Conception
Feedback and Iterations
Current Stage

Idea Conception

After observing people with architecture background ‘like’ and share elaborate concept videos on the internet, I started working on an assumption that people wanted to create similar architectural graphics.

Brainstorming

Concept Development

The first version of the website was based on our initial assumption- “Architecture students want to create simple, quick and presentable 3D models that they could share on social media and gain some recognition.”

1st Iteration of Landing Page

Feedback and Iterations

Understanding Connections using Affinity Diagram

After getting minimum signups for our page, we started to interview architecture students and tutors to understand the problem we were trying to address. We interviewed over a dozen students and worked on affinity diagrams to connect the issues.

We also worked on personas and empathy maps which helped us understand our users better.

Iteration and Product Mock‑up

In the process of working on the interviews, we also created a product video that communicated our vision better. Our landing page was redesigned accordingly, to match the theme and message being conveyed.

2nd Iteration of Landing Page

Demo Video

The short demo articulates how it would be possible to create quick, presentable concept images and clips in less than 60 seconds. Our assumption was mostly based on our observations on social media and initial interviews.

Further Development

With the first round of interviews behind us, we worked on refining the problem statement. We used the 5-Whys technique and decided to go with the problem statement- “How might we help students try out different styles for panels in a short period of time?”

A Snap from our 3rd Iteration of the Landing Page

Current Stage

After several conversations with students, we proceeded to chat with lecturers and tutors and asked about their problems. Due to COVID-19, educators have had trouble giving online feedback to the students using the current applications.

Our focus has now shifted to creating a tool that helps educators give feedback to students and save time and frustration.

Current Concept for BlockMod