Design thinking individual assignment report topic floodpack, self inflated integrated float

It is a product that helps people pack lightly and effectively during the scenario of flood, able to inflate into a small rectangle float, allowing people to be able to get about until h

FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY

HO CHI MINH CITY CAMPUS FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE - ACCOUNTING

DESIGN THINKING INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT REPORT

TOPIC: FloodPack, self-inflated integrated float

Student: Trần Đông Đông

Student ID: 2312255009

Classcode: K62CLC1 Lecturer: Huynh Dang Khoa

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Grade (in number): Grade (in words):

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Ho Chi Minh City, 16 October, 2024

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The Report Assessment: Evaluating Student Performance

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TABLE OF CONTENT

I Project overview

1.1 Introduction to FloodPack - - 1111112221111 1H 251111111922 2511 kg

I CONTEXT ANALYSIS

2.1 Flood situation in Vietnam 0.000 cece ceeeeeeecceceenenseccesensttseceeeene

2.2 Climate change links to increased flood all over the world

III 1* STEP OF DESIGN THINKING: EMPATHIZE

3.1 Definition, importance and toolls - c2: 2211221222122 12212 552

3.2 Implementation 1n the prOJ€CÉ - 1 2222221112112 12212212812 1512X22

IV 2" STEP OF DESIGN THINKING: DEFINE

4.1 How might we (HMW) framework ccc cccccceeceeneceteetteetseenseees

V 3" STEP OF DESIGN THINKING: IDEATION

Project overview

1.1 Introduction to FloodPack

“Float backpack” is a product that is applicable in both everyday circumstances and during emergencies It is a product that helps people pack lightly and effectively during the scenario of flood, able to inflate into a small rectangle float, allowing people to be able to get about until help is available This product utilizes eco-friendly materials as well as being well-equipped with needed equipment like reflective strips, whistle, built-in solar charger and first-aid kit to make sure that users stay safe and visible during evacuation

How does this achieve the design thinking sweet spot?

Desirability: This backpack is applicable in both everyday life and special scenarios of flooding An effective approach for people to carry their essentials during evacuation, help them to improve their mobility and their self-reliance during flood

Viability: This backpack can be purchased by individuals who wants to equip themselves with a self-inflatable float intact with a backpack This product can also be purchased by NGOs and government to equip homes at flood-prone areas

Feasibility: This backpack is equipped with techniques that is already used in other products, fused into one The placing of different compartments makes up for the feasibility of the product

L1.1 Objective of the project

This project aim to develop a practical and economic solution for individuals in flood- prone area in Vietnam and around the world, aligning with the specific goals of Sustainable Development Goals no 3 — Good health and well-being — and no 13 — Climate action By providing individuals with the backpack that is applicable in both during flood and in everyday usage, we enable everyone at every age to have access to on-time life saving equipment during emergencies, reducing fatality during such situations Also, by designing a product that is applicable in this specific scenario of flooding, we are tackling SDG no 13 by giving solution for climate phenomenom adaptation, helping human to adapt better to the everchanging climate

L1.3 Design aproach

This project is grounded by the principles of the Design Thinking process, understanding human’s needs and creating innovative solution This process follows 5 main stages:

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Emphasize: Research and make interviews with people in flood-prone areas to gain insights into their needs

Define: Identify the key problem and the frame a problem statement; in this case the problem of keeping individuals and their belongings safe, provide floatation support and offer critical survival tools

Ideate: Creating different approach to the final decision after multiples brainstorming sessions

Prototype: Integrating and placing different features at different places to find the best placement, reducing the weight, make appropriate placing and techniques for inflating and deflating the float, placings for equipment

Testing: By giving out surveys about the product and its effects as well as feasibility, desirability and viability of its potential users’ perspective

Il CONTEXT ANALYSIS

2.1 Flood situation in Vietnam

Flooding is a frequent and challenging natural phenomenon in Vietnam, primarily due

to Vietnam geographical location and diverse terrain, which includes mountainous regions in the Northwest and a complex river network in the Mekong Delta Several factors contribute to the country's vulnerability to floods, such as heavy rainfall during the rainy season, steep topography, deforestation, cultivation of crops on sloped land, all of which contribute to the frequent flood risks during storms and during monsoon The rainy season in Vietnam varies across regions but generally accounts for 70% to 80% of the total annual rainfall, with precipitation often concentrated in a short period This intensity of rainfall overwhelms river systems, leading to large floods, particularly along riverbanks Most of Vietnam's rivers are short and steep, causing floodwaters to rise rapidly and swiftly flow downstream

In addition to these factors, the country’s natural drainage capacity is limited, particularly in the downstream plains, which are often unable to absorb or channel water effectively to the sea The result is frequent flooding in these low-lying areas, making them highly vulnerable Deforestation further compounds the issue by reducing the natural land cover that would otherwise help absorb excess rainwater and slow runoff This, coupled with agricultural practices on steep slopes, exacerbates soil erosion and reduces the land’s ability to retain water, further increasing the likelihood

of floods

A recent example highlighting Vietnam's vulnerability to flooding is the impact of Cyclone Yagi While the cyclone itself was not directly responsible for the flooding, the aftermath brought excessive rainfall, overwhelming the rivers in Northern Vietnam The rivers were unable to contain and drain the large volumes of rainwater effectively into the ocean, leading to widespread flooding across more than 20 out of the 25 northern provinces Even the Thac Ba Dam is on the verge of collapsing during the cyclone, posing threats for the safety of people during flood, requiring for the sufficient flood survival alert from the government and the people This event highlight how even after a cyclone has passed, the inability of the natural drainage systems to handle the subsequent heavy rainfall can lead to significant flooding, further exposing the fragility of certain regions in the country

2.2 Climate change links to increased flood all over the world

In recent years, particularly over the past decade, we have witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of floods across the globe, often triggered by hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, and other extreme weather events Each country has its own record of "historic floods.” In Vietnam, notable examples include the devastating floods of 1996 caused by Typhoon Nikki, the catastrophic 1999 floods in Hue, and the severe flooding in Hanoi in 2008 These events were once considered

rare and isolated However, as we move into the new decade, alongside technological

and industrial advancements, we are seeing an unsettling trend: “historic floods” are becoming more frequent For instance, Vietnam has experienced severe flooding in

Ha Tinh in 2010, widespread floods in Central Vietnam in 2011, the Wutip floods in

2013, and major flooding in Quang Ninh in 2015 Particularly in Central Vietnam, the break periods between these dangerous and long-lasting floods are shrinking, with consecutive years of intense flooding now becoming the norm

This trend is especially evident in Central Vietnam, where back-to-back years of

severe floods have wreaked havoc on communities, infrastructure, and agriculture

The increasing frequency and intensity of these events serve as a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change, intensifying weather patterns and putting greater strain on vulnerable regions

“Climate change is anticipated to play a major role in this systematic change in typhoons” (Dr Feng, ncas, 2023)

Intense flooding leads to losses across many aspects, causing both economic and social impacts Communities suffer damage to infrastructures, including production equipment, educational facilities, and personal property, housing and government buildings While economic losses can eventually be recovered through rebuilding and restoring livelihoods, the true irreplaceable losses are the human lives affected by these disasters

In the recent flooding caused by Cyclone Yagi, we witnessed tragic fatalities as people in vulnerable areas were unable to receive timely assistance from authorities This underscores the urgent need for an emergency kit that can help people survive while awaiting rescue, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach locations where help is delayed due to challenging terrain and limited accessibility

Such an emergency kit would be a lifeline for those stranded in flood zones, giving them the necessary resources to endure critical hours or days before help arrives This

is especially important in regions where floods are common and aid delivery is hampered by difficult geographic conditions, leaving affected communities isolated and at higher risk

This leads to the problem of how to help people stay afloat, keep their valuables and have appropriate means to move back and forth around the area if necessary, a solution that is applicable in both special emergencies and everyday life

Ill 1* STEP OF DESIGN THINKING: EMPATHIZE

3.1 Definition, importance and tools

Empathy is a mechanism to understand and share the feelings of your users to foster deep user understanding and be able to uncover the deep user insights and needs

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By deeply understand and approach the sharing of customers’ feelings, thoughts, and experiences of users, designers can uncover profound insights into their needs and challenges This human-centered approach ensures that each stage of the design process—from ideation to prototyping—is rooted in the user's perspective, leading to more meaningful and effective outcomes The empathy stage helps developers to touch directly to customers’ pain points, the needs and wants that they don’t even know that they possess

In the initial "Empathize" phase of design thinking, designers immerse themselves in the user's environment to observe behaviors, conduct interviews, and engage with users in their natural settings This immersion helps identify both explicit and latent needs, providing a comprehensive understanding of the user's experience By setting aside personal assumptions and embracing the user's viewpoint, designers can craft solutions that align closely with the user's desires and requirements The nature of the Design thinking is “human-centered”, the user is put at the center of the process, the most considerable information in this process would be users’ feelings and needs This leads to the Empathy stage being the approach for the product to be more satisfactory for end users and make sure that the product is “Insight-driven” — solving the right problem with the right solution to the right customer

Tools used in the Empathy stage includes: empathy maps, personas, user journey

maps, the POEMS framework, deep user interviews, SAM, SPICE are all important

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tools to help in synthesizing research data and fostering a shared understanding among the design team Through these tools, designers are able to capture users’ needs, wants, paint points and satisfaction and also frustration during specific scenarios By properly doing the empathy stage, the design thinking process have made its first foundation based on the specific demand of the customer, and by ensuring the constant checking on customers’ needs, teams can ensure that their innovations are not only functional but also resonate deeply with the people they are intended to serve

3.2 Implementation in the project

In this project, the empathy stage focuses on understanding the essential needs of individuals living in flood-prone areas when a flood occurs These needs include access to food, shelter, mobility, and the ability to survive while awaiting help Additionally, it aims to uncover the specific challenges these individuals face during such critical situations, including the limitations in resources, delays in aid, and the emotional and physical toll that prolonged waiting and isolation can have on them This deep understanding will inform the development of solutions that address these real-life struggles

The tools that used in this stage includes: Deep User Interview, Empathy Map and User Persona

a Deep User Interview

- A deep user interview is a valuable method for gaining a thorough

understanding of the needs, behaviors, and emotions of individuals,

especially in the context of flood evacuation, adaptation, and survival This type of interview seeks to elicit personal stories and insights from users, shedding light on both their fundamental and latent needs For the project, the deep user interview will focus on several key aspects:

¢ Behavior and Feelings: The interview will explore how individuals

felt before, during, and after the flood This includes emotional

responses such as fear, anxiety, or hope, and the actions they took to cope with these feelings How did they respond to the flood emotionally, and what actions did they take to address the problems that caused those feelings?

¢ Situation: This part will delve into the specific circumstances they faced during the flood What were the immediate challenges? What did they feel they needed most during the crisis, and was there anything they wished they could change in their situation? This will

help in identifying both practical needs and desires that could improve their experience

Goals: The interview will focus on understanding what people desire most during a flood situation What are their primary goals—whether

it be ensuring safety, accessing food or shelter, or finding a way to communicate with loved ones? These wishes will provide insight into what matters most to users when facing such extreme conditions Pain & Challenges: Finally, the interview will focus on identifying the barriers that prevent people from achieving their goals during floods What difficulties do they face, and what makes surviving or adapting

to the situation harder? Are there methods or tools they use that work but could be improved? This aspect will reveal opportunities for creating better solutions tailored to their challenges

With these specific information goals, a questionnaire is conducted, in the process of interviewing, chatting with the interviewees, these questions are slipped into the conversation and condensed into a complete answer to the preceded aspects:

Behavior and Feelings Before the flood hits and during the time when authorities announce the probability for intense flooding, what were your initial thoughts and feelings?

How did you react when the floodwaters began to rise? What were your immediate actions?

During the flood, how did you feel emotionally—were you

anxious, calm, or frightened?

What steps did you take to manage your emotions or the emotions

of others around you?

After the flood, how did your feelings change? Did you experience

relief, stress, or something else?

How did your behavior shift after the flood, and what were the first things you did once the water receded?

Situation During the flood, what did you feel you needed the most—was it

food, shelter, communication, or something else?

How did your location affect your access to help or resources during the flood?

Was there anything in your immediate situation you wish you could have changed to make survival easier?

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What resources were you able to access (emergency kits, communication tools, etc.), and how useful were they?

Did you have a plan for what to do if the flood got worse, and if so, what was it?

Goals During the flood, what were your most urgent goals (protecting your family, securing food, etc.)?

If you could have had one thing to make the situation easier, what would it have been?

What did you want most from authorities or aid organizations during the flood?

What would have helped you feel safer or more secure while waiting for help to arrive?

Pain & Challenges What were the biggest challenges you faced during the flood (mobility, communication, etc )?

Were there any methods or tools you used to cope that were helpful but not perfect? How could they be improved?

What was the hardest part about trying to protect yourself, your family, or your belongings?

Was there anything that stopped you from getting the help you needed quickly? What barriers did you encounter?

The result of these questions is answered by the interview with 2 of my peers, one from Quang Binh, a province that is flood-prone, in the middle of Central Vietnam; the other from Soc Trang — the South of Vietnam, Mekong Delta area While flood in Quang Binh is much more severe and often accompanied with intense raining, flooding in Soc Trang is mostly during monsoon and does not always intense The result is at following:

Behavior and Feelings

Both users feel anxious and uncertain about the flood, not sure how

much it will affect their family and their normal life While in the Central Area, the feeling is much more intense due to its proximity

to the ocean, the Mekong Delta area is much more used to their annual floods They try to do little tasks before the flood comes, try

to keep their valuables as safe as possible During the flood, they are scared but also try to stay focused, looking out for the situation and prioritize their lives and their important paperwork

Situation:

In both regions, they are in flood-prone areas, one more secluded and distant from the authorities than the other During flood, they

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run the risk of being cut off from the main road, make it takes longer for help to come They had prepared some essentials resources but cant carry too much or it will be over their own health capacity They are immobilized until rescue They are equipped but does not pack enough for longer waiting time

« Goals:

To keep family and essential belongings safe, to get help as soon as possible, to have enough resources to live on until help is available They need updates on the rescue effort, more active effort to help them stay safe

« Pains & Challenges:

Immobility is one of the harder parts, unable to be active in their own rescue effort and communication to others and the rescue team Makeshift rafts from empty barrel is available but isn’t durable and isn’t safe, plus the lack of equipment to connect the barrels together

This leads us to the assumption that people in such situation value 2 things: Their life, well-being and their valuables These 2 things could be achieved through having faster help and being more active in their effort to get away from the heavy flood area and find a higher place

« “ Thinking and feeling”

This quadrant captures the users emotions and their train of thoughts during the scenario, revealing their needs and wants that they think of during the situation

+ "How long will it take for help to arrive?"

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+ "Ts there a way we could stay afloat longer?"

+ "If only we had something that could help us move through the floodwaters safely."

+ "What if our food and essentials get soaked? We won’t survive for long."

+ "What if the water keeps rising, and we can’t get out?" + Feel anxious and scared but have to focus on being safe before anything else

=> These self-asked questions indicates the users’ anxiety for their own safety, their needs to get to a safer place, their worry for the duration of the flood, their access to help and their worry for safeguarding their essentials

“ Say & Do”

This quadrant shows the conversation that the users may make with

others, their actions during the situation, showing their habits, what

are their physical strengths that is needed, what are their thoughts that they share to others

+ Gather essential items and try to waterproof them using bags or containers

+ Seek higher ground or attempt to create makeshift floatation devices

+ Stay in one place, hoping for rescue but worrying about rising

waters

+ Use temporary solutions like standing on furniture to stay above the water

+ "We need to keep our food and supplies dry."

+ “The water is rising too fast, we need to move."

=> These actions and words highlight the users’ methods to stay safe during the flood, while expressing the need for better tools

to survive, particularly for keeping their valuables and staying above the water level

“Hear”

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This quadrant captures the response or conversations from people

around the users, the sounds and hints of the situations and the

nuances of people’s emotions through their words or of nature from the sounds of the environment

+ "The water is rising quickly.”

+ "Do you have anything to keep our supplies from getting soaked?"

+ "Help is on their way.”

+ "Please find higher grounds if possible."

+ "Prepare emergency supplies.”

=> Users hear concerns from people around them and instructions from authorities that highlights the urgency of moving to safety, protecting essentials, and the dangers of floodwaters

“See”

This quadrant captures everything that the user can see, the environment around them, the feelings of people around them, the Jobs to be done at hands, the danger and opportunities posed in front of their eyes

+ Rising floodwaters overtaking homes, streets, and pathways + Makeshift rafts or floatation devices from locals while waiting for help but authorities

+ Wet or damaged belongings that were not properly waterproofed + People wading through deep water or stranded on rooftops + Limited visibility due to water levels and the dangerous terrain These visuals underscore the danger and people’s need for better survival tools

Pains:

People in these regions are aware of the rising water, feeling the danger of this alongside the potential of damaged valuables They are limited in mobility until further notice or until help is available from government, they are delayed in rescue and help due to the geographical barriers, the difficult terrain that delays help Gains:

The potential improvements are evoked through users interactions with their surroundings and their pains A demand for products that

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Cc

enhance people’s active survival methods, allowing them to enhance their mobility during such situations

Another gain is their needs for protection not only for them but also

for their essentials

Opportunities to develop new alternatives to enhance people self reliance and preparedness

User’s Persona

One of the most effective way to get to know the exact users we are aiming for

is through the exact portrait of them The User Persona framework captures the essentials characteristics of potential users of the product by creating a imaginary persona with specific pains and gains, specific demographics, behaviors, patterns, motivations and goals This persona is the representative

of the real users that will benefit from the product

After the Deep User Interview and the Empathy map, we have come to a more clearly defined image of the potential user of the “Float Backpack”:

Persona’s Information: Ms MAI

Description of the persona:

Ms Mai has lived in Central

Vietnam all her life, in a rural area

where floods are common throughout the year Her livelihood depends on farming, but every year, heavy rains and floods disrupt her work, damage her crops, and threaten her family’s safety Over the years, Ms Mai has learned to prepare for floods by stocking up on essentials like food, water, and basic medical supplies However, when

the floods come, she does not

always get help quick, she wants more self-reliance during the flood, better protection to her family and her valuables

Name: Nguyen Ngoc Mai

Age: 34 Location: Bo Trach, Quang Binh Occupation: Farmer, self-employed Family: Married with two children, ages 6 and 9

Income Level: Low to middle income

Living Conditions: Lives in a small

house near a river, vulnerable to

rising water levels during the rainy season

Jobs to be done

Keep her family safe: Ms Mai's

primary concern is her family's safety during floods, making sure her

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children are secure and can escape to higher ground if needed

Protect her belongings: She wants

to keep essential items like food, clothing, and important belongings dry and usable during flood situations

Enhance mobility during floods: She needs a solution that allows her

to move through floodwaters, especially when emergency services are delayed

Feel prepared: Mai wants to feel more prepared for the unpredictable nature of floods, reducing her anxiety and fear when the rainy

season starts

Use Cases/ Scenarios Emergency evacuation: She needs

to keep her valuables safe during evacuation The family is using the emergency resources of food and water while remaining safe on the rooftop Ms Mai can have another level of security for her family by having a floating device that can move her family to a higher place if the flood keeps rising higher Short distance travel for help: in a prolonged flood situation and ina distant area with delayed help, Ms Mai’s family could use some floating devices to call for help or travel themselves to higher grounds

Problems/ pains In the situation of flood, Ms, Mai is

scared of the rising water, fearing that it would affect her children She

needs to get the kids to high places

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as soon as possible, but with the delayed help, she is stranded and couldn’t move to a safer place She

is also scared of loosing her valuables or getting her important paperworks damaged She is also aware of the risk of running out on food, water if the flood keeps rising

a Central Vietnam woman, she cant Just sit and wait, so having something to make her become more self-reliance makes her feels better controlled of the situation She would also be more assured if she is better prepared for the flood with design that is thoroughly tested and designed

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IV 2"“STEP OF DESIGN THINKING: DEFINE

Following up after the Empathy stage is the Define stage Defining in the design process can be understood as the stage where clarity and focus are brought to the problems at hand, allowing innovators to focus on a few goals that is most mattered to users In technical terms, it’s about framing the problem in a way that provides direction for the design process A well-defined problem helps ensure that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of its dimensions and focus on a specific user insight or point of view This focused approach enables the design of more effective and relevant solutions

By taking the time to deeply empathize with the users and uncover the root causes of their challenges, innovators can ensure they are addressing the core issues This not only helps steer the design in the right direction but also prevents wasted resources by minimizing the need for redesigns or adjustments due to misaligned solutions (Spradlin, 2012) When teams define the problem well, they set a strong foundation for creating solutions that truly meet the needs of the users

Theoretically, there are a variety of tools available to designers that help them accurately identify and articulate the problems their users face These tools are applicable in creating a focused and user-centered design process Some of the recommended tools in the course of Design Thinking include crafting a Problem Statement, developing How Might We (HMW) questions, using Storytelling to frame user experiences, and establishing clear Success Criteria to measure outcomes

In the context of this project, the primary tool used is the How Might We (HMW) framework, which encourages designers to transform user insights into a list of questions and prompts to ask themselves, further evoke the creativity all the while keeping in mind the user-centric approach These questions help guide the brainstorming and innovation phases toward practical solutions, after sketching out the questions list, the questions are then sorted into categories; whether it’s The HMW questions in this project were directly informed by the key takeaways from the Empathy stage, as discussed earlier in the report This alignment ensures that the questions reflect the real needs, pain points, and challenges faced by individuals in flood-prone areas, enabling the design of a solution that truly meets their requirements

4.1 How might we (HMW) framework

- The HMW framework starts with listing an list of questions in the form of

“How might we (do something) for (someone), so that (the need of that

“someone”) is satisfied”

- The initial list includes:

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+ How might we help flood victims keep their essential belongings dry and safe during an emergency?

+ How might we provide individuals in flood-prone areas with a lightweight, portable survival kit?

+ How might we ensure that people have access to mobility means during sudden floods?

+ How might we reduce the risk of drowning for people stranded during floods?

+ How might we design a device that also serves as a floatation device for emergency situations?

+ How might we make it easier for people in flood zones to escape quickly and safely during emergencies?

+ How might we create a product that is both functional for everyday use and life-saving in flood scenarios?

+ How might we provide a solution for people to survive on rooftops

or high places during prolonged flooding?

+ How might we help people evacuate while carrying essential survival supplies without being weighed down by heavy waterlogged items? + How might we ensure that individuals can communicate their location and needs while waiting for rescue in a flood?

+ How might we design a product that empowers individuals to be self-reliant during the initial hours of a flood before help arrives? + How might we make survival in isolated flood areas more manageable by providing long-term solutions beyond just floatation? + How might we reduce the physical burden of carrying both survival gear and personal items during an emergency?

+ How might we provide a waterproof storage solution that can also be converted into a shelter or a flotation device?

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