Lü
2016-2022
Product Designer
This project, which evolved from school to postgraduate level, aimed to propose a new way of feeding the world. The idea was to design a self-cultivation system for algae that would be adaptable to most climates and could be scaled up to feed countries with limited resources, using low-cost materials. The first phase of the project focused on theoretical and practical research. After gathering data on the cultivation, harvesting and market for spirulina, we generated a series of hypotheses that we validated through experimentation. We carried out two key experiments: one on cultivating the algae at home, to test the viability of the process, and another on culinary treatment, to understand its properties in cooking. Market and user research led us to identify athletes, vegetarians, vegans and humanitarian aid associations as key sectors. Based on all this information, we designed and built a full-scale prototype of the product. During my postgraduate studies, the project evolved into the digital realm. My work focused on user research and the UX/UI design of a web platform. Using various methods (such as user personas, user flow, user stories, etc.), I organised the information architecture and content hierarchy with the aim of enabling users to assimilate new information smoothly and fostering a community around the product. Finally, through user testing, I obtained an indication of interest in the proposal, which suggested the idea's potential for future implementations.
This project was a fundamental milestone in my training, as it allowed me to discover my true passion: experience design. Through its two phases, I understood that my interest lay not only in designing a physical product or a website, but in the synergy between the two. I discovered that the digital platform could compensate for the limitations of the physical product and that the physical product, in turn, gave the digital experience an essential tangibility. The experience taught me the importance of taking care of all interactions with the user, whether with the physical product, the digital interface, or customer service. This insight showed me that to create a truly memorable experience, it is necessary to design an ecosystem, not just isolated products. I understood that when these interactions are consciously combined, they can strengthen each other and improve the weak points of the overall experience.
