Design Thinking
A 9-step process behind the scenes of what goes into designing our ideal wallets
An exercise of activities that went into designing our very own ideal wallets, what we want in our future, and of course, what kind of lifestyle we’re idealizing alongside our wallets.
- This is my illustrated ideal wallet. It’s a sketch basically, and it goes to say that not only do I have a physical ideal wallet, but also a digital wallet as well. It’s self explanatory that I want a wallet that has a lot of compartments for my black credit cards and for my cash. As you can see clearly, it has many 1000 peso bills. As for my ideal digital wallet — it is at maximum capacity.
3) My partner, Janine, presented her ideal wallet to me — which was a rectangular wallet so she can store all the 1000 peso bill that cannot be folded, and some compartments to put all her family pictures to look at for inspiration. She, like me, has not only a physical ideal wallet — but also a digital wallet at maximum capacity. I guess there goes the saying “great minds think alike”?
4) She needs and wants a wallet that has all the essentials within it that is both convenient to her and essential in the long run. It’s not about the design of her wallet, but the contents of it — much like to me. It’s about the money and the practicality of her eventual wallet, as she is not bothered by the aesthetics, but the functionality of the wallet.
5) Simple proposed solutions to address her needs.
6) With the proposed solutions, I came up with a sketch of a long rectangular wallet attached to a little bracelet-like contraption for extra security reasons. There’s also a little pouch attached like a small keychain where she can put inside small essentials like medicines and white flower that are too bulky inside the wallet.
7) When I showed her the initial sketch, she asked if it’s also attached to a long chain that can be linked to her jeans. I reflected on it and decided to replace the bracelet to a chain for her convenience.
8) This is the final sketch of the product.
9) After showing her the final product — she looked ecstatic about the functionality of her ideal wallet, with the long chain and the mini pouch attached to it. As I’ve observed before, she isn’t particularly interested in the aesthetic about it all as she has always been concerned about the contents and the things that she can put inside it.
Talking to her influenced my design since this is her ideal wallet, and having her insight about it all guides me into what direction I’m heading in. Her feedbacks were essential, as I know what aspects of the design I still have to improve. The most challenging process was sketching, as I’m not gifted in that area, but even then, she understood my concept and what I’m trying to achieve.
Designing has always been a difficult and exhausting, ongoing process. It doesn’t end until the client is satisfied with the final product. Designing is born from our imagination, and it could be taxing to make that into a reality especially since resources or practicality might come into play.
Always remember that the client is always right — although you can compromise with them so your skills and practicality is met with the expectations of the outcome.
