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Reflection

What an absolutely incredible ride…

The Universal Traveler’s Creative Problem-Solving Process  

This 7-Step process is a different approach than what I am used to, but I can definitely see myself taking a lot of what I learned and integrating some of the steps in my personal process. It pushed me individually,  and it went great in a team setting. It is an older process and at times if feels dragged out, but it overall the ideas are applicable and effective. 

Everything moves faster today and we don’t always have the luxury to go through a prolonged process. I don’t know if would remove any of the steps, but maybe a condensed, updated version would be more practical. Some stages felt like they overlapped. As a team there were times when we felt like we wanted to jump ahead and had to force ourselves to slow down. Following the process paid off in the end. We are happy with the end product, but a streamlined version would be interesting to examine.  I would say that a step that can be added is a  “user feedback” step without input from the end-user, it is hard to know that solution is actually meeting the needs of the many. This measure would also help evolve the product design at an early stage.

Acceptance It is vital to accept to be fully committed and be mentally prepared for success. It is difficult to understand this phase until you're in the middle of the process.

Analysis Two methods that stood out for me in the phase are the “Sensitivity and Common Sense” and “Look it up” approach. 

Definition This phase was one of the most rewarding to me. I had to open up to new views. Compromise and Trust are techniques used. It was also the one of the most difficult stages.

Ideation The method was brainstorming. This is the phase when we became a team. This phase felt the most organic and we were able to stretch our legs. 

Selection This phase was tricky, we were cautious with our selections, In the future, I will be more proactive and think outside the box. If it wasn’t for the class that helped us consider a whacky idea, this project would have turned out completely different.

Implementation In this phase our team really shined. Our individual strengths were maximized and we really let loose. Ideas of application flowed organically, because we could easily consider the applications and various directions we could take this product. 

Evaluation As I evaluate the product at this phase and look at all the work that went in, there is a sensation of accomplishment. I am going to take a minute to enjoy this experience before I remind myself that it is would only be the beginning. 

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Evaluation

In evaluating our performance for success of the project we will use a few metrics. Throughout the process of the project we have a debriefing session to make sure we stay consistent and accountable of our individual, and team contributions. We have also shared our successes and failures with peers and outside mentors. Journaling the process has helped us keep track of productivity and has served a timeline of the journey and how far we’ve come.

Looking onward, our primary focus is to establish proof of concept by doing a social challenge with simple inexpensive silicone rings. If the campaign receives a positive response we then are looking to do a crowdfunding initiative to help us develop the initial MVP and confirm market adoption. It is easy to get excited about something we are passionate about, but we want to evaluate and test every step to make sure we are delivering a product the consumers wants. The process has advanced smoothly, because all of the team players have been engaged. We are all convinced that the product can make a real impact on people’s lives. We have identified and leaned our individual strengths and have pushed ourselves to new limits. 

As the product materializes before our eyes the lines are starting to blur, and it is feeling more like a real endeavor, not a school assignment. 

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Implementation

Reflect on the methods and techniques that your group plans to use to communicate the ways that your project should be implemented and summarise those thoughts in a new post in your process journal. How do you most effectively pitch your idea to various stakeholders? How do you visually communicate the objects, environments, systems, processes, and interactions involved in your project implementation?

@colleensullivan

Our group plans to provide a real-life experience in order to effectively communicate our pitch. We will showcase the silicone rings with the lighting effects as a visual in the presentation. A case example (or can be separated into three stories for different demographics) can be shown through “JOMO Ringo” a goal-oriented millennial:

JOMO Ringo is trying to effectively manage his idle time in order to fulfill his planned deadlines throughout the week.

JOMO Ringo wants to coordinate his available schedule with his close circle, which otherwise spend their time doing mindless scrolling or related tasks. He gifts his family or fraternity brothers a set of JOMO rings as a bundle promotion available during the holidays.

JOMO Ringo wants to provide the data analysis of how his idle screen time has improved in the time that he’s had his JOMO ring. He provides the data to non-JOMO ring users, whether they are his family therapist or fraternity president, as they have encouraged this JOMO challenge to him.

These examples show how this product and application can be utilized for the individual user experience, bundle package linking, and data sharing for non-users.

It is important to detail revenue sources, price points, up-sell opportunities, and overhead costs. We will brief on marketing channels and key partners. For the fine details (color-psychology code, integration options, shipping logistics, etc.) we will include those as footnotes for reference.

Since the goal is to identify idle screen time and suggest solutions to control electronic dependency, more than likely we will not focus too much on the technology aspect of it, including the application. We don’t want our investors to be stuck on the irony that our electronics tracker product is dependent on technology.

It is valuable to identify this as a mental health concern and social isolation addiction. We don’t want to label technology dependency too strongly, as it will limit us from advertising and partnership opportunities. We need to reiterate that this is to empower people and collective groups to manage their idle screen time for in-real life connections.

@danielfausto

As a team researched different ways to communicate our concept, and we feel that visually painting the journey of the  “Joy Of Missing Out” will help others connect with the problem we are trying to solve. It is more than just a cool ring with reminder capabilities, or a fashion statement. It is empowering people to claim back their time, and rediscover real connections.

Imagine for a second a person feeling disconnected and trying to fill that void by plugging in and tuning out. How does that impact someones mental and physical wellness, and social interactions? We want to trigger cues that remind us that time can be better spent. We want people to realize that the answers won’t come along in our infinite scrolling feed. We want to people to break the FOMO complex and embrace the power of JOMO. Our Goal is to visualize the appeal of JOMO using social influence ambassadors to challenge their network to take the #JOMOchallenge.

We set out to prove that FOMO isn’t real, and the benefit of that awareness is a more meaningful life. Our objective is to promote self-reflection. We want people to look in the mirror and weigh what is genuinely important in their life. Life is too short to waste it watching others live their lives. We want the JOMO rings to serve as an activator of real life engagement.

The actual product is merely the vehicle to evoke a mental recalibration. We want all the connecting parts from the physical interactions with the product, the social campaign, our partners, and messaging to ignite a social movement for behavioral change.

@michellesawa Our group plans to communicate our idea for JOMO rings using storytelling, statistics, and strong visualization. We want to paint a clear picture of the problem - the addictive behavior of constantly checking your phone and mindlessly scrolling throughout the day and on nights and weekends. We want to share the science behind breaking a habit, and then segue into the JOMO ring movement. We want to show visuals for what the JOMO ring would look like, and talk through real life scenarios for how it’d work in our target audiences’ lives. We’ll show mock-ups for our social media campaigns and explain how social media influencers can join the movement to encourage healthy breaks from technology. We’ll dive deeper into life goals and have people reflect on the passions they hold closely to their hearts. Is it really time that’s holding them back? Or is it lack of time management? Can people reach their true potential in little moments throughout the day, after work, and on the weekends? We believe so. We believe that with a small reminder–a light nudge–we can help people break the routine of looking at their phones and direct their energy to more meaningful goals. If you want to take your future in your own hands, we believe embracing the “Joy Of Missing Out” is the path forward. JOMO rings are our trendy reminders to connect with others and share our purpose, our art, and our passion with the world at large.

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Process Journal: Implementation

As a team researched different ways to communicate our concept, and we feel that visually painting the journey of the  “Joy Of Missing Out” will help others connect with the problem we are trying to solve. It is more than just a cool ring with reminder capabilities, or a fashion statement. It is empowering people to claim back their time, and rediscover real connections.

Imagine for a second a person feeling disconnected and trying to fill that void by plugging in and tuning out. How does that impact someones mental and physical wellness, and social interactions? We want to trigger cues that remind us that time can be better spent. We want people to realize that the answers won’t come along in our infinite scrolling feed. We want to people to break the FOMO complex and embrace the power of JOMO. Our Goal is to visualize the appeal of JOMO using social influence ambassadors to challenge their network to take the #JOMOchallenge.

We set out to prove that FOMO isn’t real, and the benefit of that awareness is a more meaningful life. Our objective is to promote self-reflection. We want people to look in the mirror and weigh what is genuinely important in their life. Life is too short to waste it watching others live their lives. We want the JOMO rings to serve as an activator of real life engagement.

The actual product is merely the vehicle to evoke a mental recalibration. We want all the connecting parts from the physical interactions with the product, the social campaign, our partners, and messaging to ignite a social movement for behavioral change.

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#07734

Business Model Canvas - JOMO Rings https://bmfiddle.com/f/#/D4272

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Conceptualize It

Our group plans to communicate our idea for JOMO rings using storytelling, statistics, and strong visualization. We want to paint a clear picture of the problem - the addictive behavior of constantly checking your phone and mindlessly scrolling throughout the day and on nights and weekends. We want to share the science behind breaking a habit, and then segue into the JOMO ring movement. We want to show visuals for what the JOMO ring would look like, and talk through real life scenarios for how it’d work in our target audiences’ lives. We’ll show mock-ups for our social media campaigns and explain how social media influencers can join the movement to encourage healthy breaks from technology. We’ll dive deeper into life goals and have people reflect on the passions they hold closely to their hearts. Is it really time that’s holding them back? Or is it lack of time management? Can people reach their true potential in little moments throughout the day, after work, and on the weekends? We believe so. We believe that with a small reminder–a light nudge–we can help people break the routine of looking at their phones and direct their energy to more meaningful goals. If you want to take your future in your own hands, we believe embracing the “Joy Of Missing Out” is the path forward. JOMO rings are our trendy reminders to connect with others and share our purpose, our art, and our passion with the world at large.  

In our presentation we have outlined the design, specifications, storyboard, monthly plans, implementation, partners, and other business planning functions.

Here are our Google Slides in process: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_2U7qALQP1b4wHRGsgQWchK-Hlv3BUX0zb_YRB1CF_o/edit?usp=sharing

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Journal: Selection

After the amazing feedback we received from class, we decided to measure the concept of the JOMO Rings against the problem we set out to tackle. We felt that this solution gave us a lot to work with. We also surveyed, and polled our individual and collaborative interest in the idea. We then started to brainstorm ideas and applications, and we found ourselves excited about the overall direction. 

Michelle shared the research of Pulitzer prize winner, Charles Duhigg. He wrote the book “The Power of Habit” and presented a fascinating TedTalk about social behaviors and how to break bad habits. We found his theory interesting. He explains that every habit has a Cue (When it is triggered), a Routine (The automatic action), and a Reward (Why we do it). And then we applied it to how people use their devices. What triggers them to reach for their phone, the mindless action of scrolling thru an array of apps, and the rewards they actually seek. We also asked ourselves similar questions, and the intrigue of our responses convinced us that we were on the right path with this selection.

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Choosing a Selection

Our group set out to empower people to manage their screen time. We used a few different techniques to select a solution. During our last class, we did a poll with our classmates which provided great insight. There was real traction and ideas flowing when we presented our JOMO ring idea. After class, we thought through our selection criteria: + Not too restrictive + Something simple + Fun, innovative + Helps people manage screen time in an empowering way + Productive + Collects data (can track stats and goals) + Inspires quality time

We all agreed that JOMO rings had a lot of potential, and could be a solution to fulfill our criteria.

What if we created rings that could play off of Charles Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit�� research? Duhigg says there are 3 key components of a habit: cue, routine, reward. For example, I have a thought to check my instagram (cue), my thumbs go on auto-pilot to get there (routine), and scrolling allows me to see what all of the people I follow are doing (reward). Our JOMO rings could be a physical reminder to start a different routine. I reach for my phone, my JOMO ring lights up green to signify it’s time for me to go outside for my after dinner walk. My reward is fresh air and exercise endorphins.

What if we could use the psychology of color and lights to help people spend their idle time after work and on the weekends doing activities that fulfilled them?

Once we were on this JOMO ring idea path, we continued to “Yes, and…” each other’s ideas and felt like we came to an awesome solution that we all agreed upon. We then spent the rest of our time thinking through the logistics of implementation. What if people don’t want to wear rings? Could we test this first with cheap silicon rings to see how people would engage and react?

What if we built an app with our JOMO rings that tracked our stats? What if the ring could be worn on a finger or around a pop-socket on the back of a phone? What if we could charge it on our phones? What if it sync’d to our calendars?

What if we made it look sleek and discreet with simple lights that changed based on the times we programmed for quality time, down time, and fresh air?

What if we marketed this to insurance companies and businesses as a perk for a company wellness program?

We’re excited to see where this idea will take us!

@colleensullivan @michellesawa @danielfausto

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Process Journal: Ideation

We began the group exercise by individually writing down some ideas prior to meeting up as a group. This gave us a chance to express and let go of any preconceived ideas we had about approaching the problem.

We then gathered as a group and decided to use the problem statement as a guide to help us paint a picture of the segment of people our solution will focus on.

How might we help people better manage their screen time?

We took a few minutes to brainstorm people who might be most affected by this problem. Then we voted on for the ones we felt stronger about. It was clear that the individual we would concentrate on was goal-oriented, working Millennials.

After identifying the “WHO” we brainstormed relevant areas of that individual, like how they manage their “TIME”. How they feel “EMPOWERED”. The possible “NEGATIVE” impact it has on their lives, and finally, “HOW” we can inspire them to look for alternate options then reaching for their smart devices in their idle time.

The process was fun, and I truly feel like we organically came up with some interesting directions that none of us would’ve imagined going into the brainstorm, like a possible game or series of books. It is still a working progress, but I can see the Universal Traveller’s creative problem-solving method working.

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Group Brainstorming + Debriefing Session

Our group did our brainstorm using RealTimeBoard, Miro. We went through a series of questions together, setting time limits for each question. We let one question lead us to the next. 

Link to Miro Board:

https://realtimeboard.com/app/board/o9J_kxns-vo=/

Start

Who

Time

Empowerment

Negative

How

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Definition

We each worked on the problem definition individually and then came together to compare our viewpoints. Overall, we found similar key issues in our independent definitions, but in the process, we found a useful toolkit that helped us reevaluate the problem, and examine different angles that exposed the root to the deeper issue.

As a group we came to the consensus that maybe technology isn’t the sole architect of evil we initially believed it was, but we have equal culpability in our human disconnection. It is easy to blame technology to avoid facing our fears and insecurities. It is not to say that technology hasn't amplified and highlighted our weaknesses. Reframing the problem allowed us to define the core of the real issue…  and that is the way we manage our “Meaningful Time” in the digital age. This pivotal revelation was crucial as we navigate thru the process into the ideation phase.

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Problem Definition

Daniel’s Definition What if we saw technology not as evil, but as a coping mechanism? We reach for our phones when we feel anxious. For example, we may want to avoid eye contact or looking bored when waiting alone in a restaurant, so we pull out our phones. Perhaps this reliance on technology is a symptom of a deeper issue.

Problem Definition Exercises

1. Clarifying priorities by focusing on key critical issues. Key issue I am trying to address and why it is important:

Improve the disconnection resulting from technology dependency

We are starting to see the side effects on social interactions, mental, physical well-being.

2. Who are we addressing the problem for:

Anyone who is struggling or isolating themselves from connecting in real life and is substituting actual relationships with virtual interactions.

3. Social / Cultural factors shaping the problem:

Social platforms are fueling a FOMO culture that has accelerated our fixation to surrogate ourselves online

4. Evidence that was discovered that makes this topic worth the investment:

We are witnessing how our compulsion to technology is impacting us mentally, physically and socially. This rising crisis affects me personally. I can attest to the hold technology has had on my family and the toll it has made on our relationships.

5. Think of the problem differently. I tried to reframe it:

Maybe Technology isn’t ruining our lives, but instead we are looking to direct blame technology for the tension and insecurities that arise from our online social lives. Maybe Making technology the sources of evil makes dealing with our problems easier

Michelle’s Definition The real challenge is that an addiction to technology is sweeping our generation. Benign behavior like checking apps for notifications can and is turning into addictive behavior over time for children, teens, and adults alike. The biggest problem with this lies in the impact it has on human relationships.

As we learned from our research, like any addiction, the real cost is how it affects our the quantity and quality of relationships in our lives. Our addictions to technology cause us to miss out on many moments with our loved ones that we will not have the opportunity to relive. Bonding on the couch after dinner. Idle playtime at the park on a Saturday. Opportunities to connect with our partners, children, and loved ones are all around us. However, we’re picking up screens and losing time for meaningful connections.

What I want to accomplish is a simple challenge or intention that everyone in our group can stick to for a period of a time. I want each of us to see how this impacts the relationships in our lives. From there, I want us to figure out how we can challenge others to turn off technology for quality time with your families.

Colleen’s Definition

What if we focused on time? Giving back the time that the screen took to do something positive, meaningful, and tied to your goals.

How we can allocate our time more properly? What if you had a goals list and you documented how long you wanted to spend on each. Then you could see, with data, the true problem of how you’re spending your time. The Group Problem Definition We are reaching for technology in moments when we feel bored, anxious, insecure, and stressed. We end up spending hours looking at screens each day. The real problem is the opportunity cost for what we’re losing when we are idly using technology. How might we help people become aware of how they’re spending their day so that they can allocate their time to meaningful life goals?

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Conjunction Junction

1

My Jeep is white and has dark tinted windows that makes hard to see in and out of the truck, and has leather seats. It has tall tires and lifts it high off the ground, it is tough and rough. 

My Jeep is white but has dark tinted windows that makes hard to see in and out of the truck, but has leather seats, It has tall tires but lifts it high off the ground, it is tough but rough.

...

2

My wallet is small and compact, and it is made out of elastic, It has room for one ID card and two credit cards. It makes it easy to carry and it fits in multiple pockets. 

My wallet is small but compact, but it is made out of elastic, It has room for one ID card but only two credit cards. It makes it easy to carry, but it fits in multiple pockets.

...

3

My guilty pleasure is coke, its bubbly and I get a buzz from the caffeine, It is refreshing and sweet, and I like to drink it with a salty snack. 

My guilty pleasure is coke, its bubbly but I get a buzz from the caffeine, It is refreshing but sweet, but I like to drink it with a salty snack. 

...

4

My favorite space at home is my office, and it makes it convenient to work from home. My family tries not to interrupt when I close the door and I can easily lose track of time. 

My favorite space at home is my office, but it makes it convenient to work from home. My family tries not to interrupt when I close the door, but I can easily lose track of time.

...

5

I have a scale that I use daily and its primary use is to track my weight loss progress. It’s digital and it has a 250 pound limit. It also storages the last entry and I share it with my wife. 

I have a scale that I use daily, but its primary use is to track my weight loss progress. It’s digital but it has a 250 pound limit. It also storages the last entry, but I share it wife my wife.

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Analysis

In this Analyze phase I used a few methods and techniques in my research to explore how our dependency on electronics impact human interactions. I tried to make sense of the problem using the Sensitivity and Common Sense approach. I talked the problem out in my head and tried to be in-line with how the problem directly affects me. I used the Look it Up method online to search the groundwork done on the subject. I combined the Attribute Listing and Morphology to look for the source and effect of the issue.

We are seeing alarming changes in our social and communication patterns in the short history of human behavior and technology integration. The effects of our reliance on these smart devices are now starting to rise up and be visible in our relationships, interconnections, mental well-being, and even our physical health.

In my research I discovered that the resistance is starting to happen. Ex-google employee, UI/UX designer, and speaker, Tristan Harris has a couple of TED talks where he addresses how tech companies are part of the problem of keeping us hooked. Tech companies are fighting for our attention and strategically keeping us plugged in. We need to make them accountable and be part of a responsible solution. I don’t know what is going to come out of this project, but we are taking on this problem to bring light to the rapidly growing issue and start the conversation about the change that needs to happen.

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Morphological Analysis

For this week’s assignment, our group started with compiling research. We wanted to go wide and explore all the facets of this problem. From there, we began independently thinking about different project components. We began the brainstorm with a brain dump to identify attributes related to human reliance on technology and the impact it has on human lives.

Attributes of our problem

Age: babies, toddlers, children, teens & young adults, adults

Type of technology: cell phones, tablets, computers, digital devices, TV, smart watches

Degrees of reliance: no use, minimal use, moderate use, heavy use, excessive use

How it’s used: distraction, connection, communication, play

How it affects people: mentally, emotionally, physically, socially, psychologically

How it can impact interpersonal relationships: creates family turmoil, divides couples, strains friendships, leads to feelings of isolation

From there, each of us chose different attributes to explore.

@michellesawa used morphological analysis to explore technology touchpoints at all stages of human life to better understand how this reliance on technology happens.

@colleensullivan explored the problems and solutions for all aspects of technology addiction and it’s mens. By gathering the common traits between the source and the affect, we can determine the best product solution for a measurable outcome.

Blue = Problem (Solution) Gray = (Solution)

Common Problems

Consumer labeling

Eyesight

Carpal tunnel

Arthritis

Posture

Communication

Not forward thinking

Tasks uncompleted

IRL connections

FOMO

Abandonment

Sensitive

Common Solutions

Remove cookies

Time blocker

Exercises

App alerts

Activity log

App controls

Remove TV / streaming access

Schedule gatherings

Groups

Work/life balance

Boomerang

Turn off notifications

I used morphological analysis as a means to generate ideas on how to solve the problem. 

Together, we used this strategy to look at how technology addiction starts, how it impacts people, and how we might solve this problem.

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What's in it for me?

This program is pushing me out of my comfort zone. I have never been thrown into situations like this before. It really challenges you to have to work in teams with people you know very little about, and then have to execute a strenuous task. Taking my experience of the Integrative Practices Residential as a sampling, I know the benefits are going to exceed my expectations.

Things that I am looking to get out of this project:

Broaden my team working experience

Stimulate my creativity by opening myself up to different ideas and new ways of doing things

Develop my skills set by trying new things

Gain a personal perspective from my professional contributions to a team 

Be part of an experience can open the door to new opportunities 

Build my professional network

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Acceptance

I have painted a picture of success in my mind. I am aware of the task at hand and I am committed to my team and to solving this problem. I am excited and motivated by the opportunity and lessons that will come from this experience. Accomplishing my goal would validate that I am exactly where I need to be. The best case scenario would help people reconnect and free themselves of their dependency of electronics. We can all benefit from reawakening our human connectivity and a project like this has the potential to impact our social behavior patterns globally. The rewards that can come from the success of the project on a personal level is the reward of making a life changing impact. In its current infant stage it is hard to see how the project will be monetized. The experience of working on a project will have a huge impact on furthering my career, in the gained experience of solving problems from a cross-disciplinary approach. The biggest motivation for succeeding is to prove to myself and my kids that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. I am interested in the problem, because it affects me directly. I have a wife and two kids that are absorbed by electronics and I am starting to see how it is starting to deteriorate our close family ties and interactions. I would like to see the problem endeavor thru to its end to see if we can actually help relationships reconnect, and learn how to detach and engage real life. I am fully invested in doing my part to arrive at a successful solution. We can all benefit from the success of this project, content consumption and the fomo social behaviors have only been around for a little over a decade. It is still early enough to integrate beneficial solutions to our internet fixation without slowing down the progression of technology.