Taking advantage of the time we were given. We began by mapping out a detailed six-month project timeline, breaking down each phase of the design process. This helped us stay organized and intentional about how we used our time. By viewing each day as an opportunity to refine our ideas, we were able to maintain momentum and continuously improve our design throughout the project.

Engaging with stakeholders. This project marked my first experience collaborating on a real-world product, where I had the opportunity to work directly with stakeholders and understand their goals, challenges, and expectations. Through regular meetings, interviews, and feedback sessions, our team learned how to balance user needs with business priorities while aligning our design decisions with the stakeholders’ vision.

Knowing our constraints. As a team, we often had to remind each other about the constraints surrounding our project. There were several moments when our ideas grew beyond what we could realistically achieve within the six-month timeline. Recognizing these limitations helped us refocus on what was most important and feasible for our final design.

Learning from my teammates. Working with Grace, Vivian, and Tinh, we all brought different skillsets to the table. Being able to learn from them helped me enhance my own skillset whether it be in project managing, researching, or designing!