Example reflection – Learning Launch

Challenge

I´m an interior designer, usually the way I work is, first, I visit the clients to know what  is the space they want to design or redesign, depending in the type of project it is  (residential, commercial, offices, hospitality, restaurants). Second, I make them  some questions to get more information about what they need and want, third, I  make them some personality test to know them better and so I can select the best  interior design style for the project. Then I search for some visual references to show  the clients and if they are satisfied I continue working in their projects. After that I  give the clients a budget and a work schedule about the project, once they approved  I go to the place to take space measurements and to look if it has any humidity  problem or something similar and to take photos of the place. Then I make some  spatial distributions so that the client chooses the option that they like the most. Then  I select the materials, color palette and furniture selection, so I put all in a 3d model,  then I made some renders and I make a presentation for the client, and when the  client is happy with the project I start the construction. But when COVID-19 arrived  to my country the government quarantined the whole country, so we can only go out  of our homes if it’s only absolutely necessary, for example, to buy food or to go to  the doctor, so I can´t meet my clients and I can´t work as I used to.

Selection

After thinking what design thinking tool fits me the best, I decided to use the learning  launch tool, that it’s a tool to test a new idea in the real marketplace by doing small,  fast and cheap experiments. I decided to use this tool because when the COVID-19  arrived in my country, I couldn´t work as I used to, so I had to find a new way to work  during the quarantine and after it. So the first thing I do, was to come up with a  hypothesis. My hypothesis was that I can offer my clients an e-design service  through video calls, where I can give them some advices to improve their work  spaces and give them some ideas to redecorate their houses.

Application

I used the first quarantine week to made experiments with some clients. So I started  making video calls with my clients and ask them some questions. I asked them about  their needs to work in their homes, what is the job of each one and I also asked them  to give me a virtual tour of their work place in their homes and also I asked them if  they can measure the space to know the dimensions, also I asked them if there is  another place they want to redecorate so I can help them. With the information I had  I made some proposals and sent them so they can choose the option they liked the  most.

After doing the experiment I decided two important things, first, it was better to send  a survey asking them about their needs and preferences before making the video  call, so then when the clients and I make the video call I already have the necessary  information to help them and also I can have some visual references, so during the  video call they can give me a virtual tour and helping me taking space measurements  so I can have a clear idea of the space and how to achieve a suitable work space,  where my clients feel comfortable and happy.

Second, I need to offer different types of interior design advisory, for instance, I offer  the basic advisory, in which I send the survey to know the client’s needs and I make  one video call to give them some ideas to improve any space they want. Also, I offer  an advanced advisory, in which also I send a survey to the clients, but I make at  least three video calls with the clients to give them a more complete advice and also  if they require I can send them some paint if they want to change the color of the  wall or some decoration.

Insight

By applying the learning launch tool, I have learned that by making small and cheap  experiments I can save a lot of money and time. This tool taught me that it´s  important to have many ideas before I decide which one is the best and test it. This  tool helped me to understand that design thinking helps you to innovate and uncover  creative opportunities, by using this tool I learned that I can offer the e-design service  during the quarantine and also after it and also I can offer it not only in Ecuador but  also in other countries.

Approach

I think the learning launch tool was the perfect tool to use in this case, but the next  time I have to make the experiments with a few more clients and I have to make  more specific questions, both, in the survey and during the video call to collect as  much information as possible to help my clients as soon as possible.

