ANITA LOUISE DESIGN
Anita Justins
Student Service Design Challenge
2021
Team Merino:
Anita Justins
Dennis Tseng
Ehlayna Jacob
Krissi Bourke
Nicola Johnson
The Student Service Design Challenge is an international competition run by Philips Experience Design, IBM, and IDEO. Groups of university students enrolled in design disciplines are invited to participate.
The Challenge had four rounds. The first round determined which groups would continue through to the end of the competition. Each round thereafter had a design focus that concentrated on the development of their service design. After completion of the final stage, prizes were awarded to the top 3 design teams.
Our team, Team Merino, was the only Torrens University team (and only Australian team) selected to continue beyond Round 1. Team Merino worked collaboratively throughout the five months and were located in Sydney and Brisbane and were Graphic Communication and Bachelor of Interior Design (Commercial) students.
Round 1 was a Research Proposal Phase with each team settling on a local problem that needed a circular design solution, without actually solving the problem. Round 1 Opportunity: "Considering all of our research and investigations into existing emergency housing we believe there is an opportunity to create an emergency modular housing system utilising materials from a new perspective, which are locally sourced and which create a new local industry in a sustainable, circular economy that directly benefits the local community."
Our initial problem statement was "What if we could transform locally sourced sustainable materials in a new way, to become an emergency modular housing solution for disaster relief, which creates a circular design solution?". We looked at the context of the recent bushfires and their impact on housing after the fire devastation. We investigated existing emergency housing options in Australia and worldwide and looked at alternative ways that emergency housing could be provided to close the loop on this circular economy.
Round 2 was our Discover Phase. We researched and extensively interviewed those affected by the fires, charities and other organisations who assisted the people who were displaced and listened to the Parliamentary Inquiry investigation. Round 2 problem statement "What if we could design an emergency housing system that has the potential to develop a circular service-based solution, which is always ready and can therefore anticipate and respond more quickly when required?"
Round 3 was the Define Phase. We reviewed our research and compiled an "As Is Map" to define the touchpoints before, during and after a natural disaster. We compiled our empathy findings into compelling needs and insights to identify what matters the most by asking "What If Questions" and creating Opportunity Statements. We redefined our initial problem to be: "A displaced person who has lost everything can contact one organisation for all their needs when navigating the recovery process, including procuring temporary housing within a closed loop framework and rebuilding their lives as quickly as possible."
Our final round was the Develop Phase, where idea generation occurred.
Through our extensive research and focus on our local issue, we discovered that the problem of displaced persons due to natural disasters is a universal one and not necessarily only experienced in Australia. We developed a service concept which could be implemented in Australia but also modified to adapt to international situations as well.
Our final service concept was called Merino:
"An online disaster recovery service helping people who have been impacted by natural disasters navigate their way through the recovery process. Merino uses data to connect those in need with tailored support, delivering the right products and expertise at the right time, minimising waste and maximising efficiency."