VISUALIZATION

Challenge and Selection

Menstrual health and hygiene discussions with teenage girls is usually an intricate affair.  Most girls at this age are usually very shy and easily embarrassed when such topics are  brought up. To gather any insights from them in relation to this topic becomes an uphill task  that requires a thoroughly thought through approach that will get them to comfortably  open up and share information.

To gather insights from schoolgirls in designing a new sanitary pad, we used the visualization  tool to stir up conversations. The main visualization tool was images and colors. This made it  easier to stir up emotions and start conversations around menstrual health and hygiene  which is a very uncomfortable topic among young girls.

Application

We started by designing different visuals for the packaging. We had three different visuals  that we placed in front of the girls. One was a flower design, the second was the image of a  playful girl and the third one was just an abstract image that did not really say much.  Regarding the colors, we used red, blue and purple which were integrated into the three  different images. In total we had nine different design variation when we combined the  three different images with the three different colors.

We then put together a group of nine girls aged between thirteen to sixteen years and  decided to show them the different sets of images at different stages.

First, we brought out the first three images of the flower, girl and the abstract image, one  after another. We then asked them to tell us what first came into their mind when they saw  each image.

We then brought out the three different colors, red, blue and purple; one after another and  asked them the same question as above.

After that, we brought out the first set of images combined with the three set of colors. We  brought out each image with the three colors as the background and asked them what the  best combination for a sanitary pad would be, and what they thought about the  combination.

Insight

From the described activities we were able to get the girls to really open up easily, share  and discuss their perspective of life from the images that we shared. Over and above getting  the insights that we required for coming up with the right packaging for the sanitary pads,  we gathered a lot more than anticipated. We were able to understand their fears and  aspiration, dreams and wishes which would be helpful in future marketing strategies for the  sanitary pads.

Overall, the image of the girl and the color purple was the most preferred combination. The  girl was someone they could identify with and the color purple gave them confidence. The  abstract image said nothing to them, the image of the flower was more of what their  mothers would like, which they did not want to identify with. The color red was a turn off  for them in that they did not want to be constantly reminded that they are on their periods  just by looking at the package. The color blue to them was more masculine than feminine.

Approach

I observed that it is easier for people to open up when presented with a visual that they can react to  as opposed to asking open ended questions especially for very delicate topics; in this case, the  menstrual health and hygiene. The initial approach of asking open ended questions would take  longer to gather insights as opposed to the visualization technique.


VISUALIZATION Challenge and Selection Menstrual health and hygiene discussions with teenage girls is usually an intricate affair . Most girls at this age are usually very shy and easily embarrassed when such topics are brought up . To gather any insights from them in relation to this topic becomes an uphill task that requires a thoroughly thought through approach that will get them to comfortably open up and share information . To gather insights from schoolgirls in designing a new sanitary pad , we used the visualization tool to stir up conversations . The main visualization tool was images and colors . This made it easier to stir up emotions and start conversations around menstrual health and hygiene which is a very uncomfortable topic among young girls . Application We started by designing different visuals for the packaging . We had three different visuals that we placed in front of the girls . One was a flower design , the second was the image of a playful girl and the third one was just an abstract image that did not really say much . Regarding the colors , we used red , blue and purple which were integrated into the three different images . In total we had nine different design variation when we combined the three different images with the three different colors . We then put together a group of nine girls aged between thirteen to sixteen years and decided to show them the different sets of images at different stages . First , we brought out the first three images of the flower , girl and the abstract image , one after another . We then asked them to tell us what first came into their mind when they saw each image . We then brought out the three different colors , red , blue and purple ; one after another and asked them the same question as above . After that , we brought out the first set of images combined with the three set of colors . We brought out each image with the three colors as the background and asked them what the best combination for a sanitary pad would be , and what they thought about the combination . Insight From the described activities we were able to get the girls to really open up easily , share and discuss their perspective of life from the images that we shared . Over and above getting the insights that we required for coming up with the right packaging for the sanitary pads , we gathered a lot more than anticipated . We were able to understand their fears and aspiration , dreams and wishes which would be helpful in future marketing strategies for the sanitary pads . Overall , the image of the girl and the color purple was the most preferred combination . The girl was someone they could identify with and the color purple gave them confidence . The abstract image said nothing to them , the image of the flower was more of what their mothers would like , which they did not want to identify with . The color red was a turn off for them in that they did not want to be constantly reminded that they are on their periods just by looking at the package . The color blue to them was more masculine than feminine . Approach I observed that it is easier for people to open up when presented with a visual that they can react to as opposed to asking open ended questions especially for very delicate topics ; in this case , the menstrual health and hygiene . The initial approach of asking open ended questions would take longer to gather insights as opposed to the visualization technique .