How a Hat Wallet Brought Me Home

After a Design Thinking Bootcamp at Stanford's d.School I knew Design Thinking was where I belonged. I left thinking, "If I could do this every day I would be SO happy."

Prorotype demo 2.jpg — The Challenge:
Wallet Redesign

In November 2017 I traveled to Stanford University to attend a Design Thinking Bootcamp hosted by the Design Impact program. We completed a series of exercises leading us through the Stanford User Centered Design Process.

hat wallet interview 01.JPG — Step 1: User Interview
(4 mins)

"What's in your wallet?"

Step 2: User Interview Round II - Looking for deeper insights (4 mins)

hat wallet interview 02.jpg — Step 3: Needs Inventory (3 mins)

Digging deeper - What is the user trying to do? How do they want to feel?

Step 4: Needs Statement (3 mins)

"Chad needs to carry and access his important things in a way that is comfortable and effortless."

Step 5: Sketch some radical ways to meet your user's needs (5 mins)

My user noted that his wallet felt bulky and awkward both in his back and front pants pockets. He also talked about how it is annoying to get the things he needs quick access to like ID, cash, and cards when he is at an event or traveling. I tried to come up with solutions that would give him a better user experience, allowing him to store important items while providing comfort and easy access.

Step 6: Share solutions and get feedback (3 mins)

I shared my solutions with Chad (the user) to get feedback. He liked both option C - a wallet that could be attached to the outside of clothing, and option D - a hat wallet.

Step 7: Reflect and generate a new solution (3 mins)

Chad seemed most enthusiastic and even delighted about the hat wallet, so I decided to develop that direction.

Thinking about the hat wallet in more detail.

Step 8: Build your solution (8 mins)

I couldn't believe it when a rolling cart came out with bins of assorted supplies - scissors, all different kinds of paper, aluminum foil, waxed paper, markers, tape, glue, pipe cleaners, string... it was exactly the type of thing I kept in my classroom as a STEM teacher. We had only about 8 minutes to make a prototype out of this stuff! I didn't have much time to think. I ran over, grabbed a few things, then got to work framing some waxed paper around my head and crafting a "duck bill" and a sleeve to store valuables.

Step 9: Share solutions and get feedback (4 mins)

Chad tried on the wallet and was again..delighted! We assessed the fit and sleeve placement for max security and easiest access. He loved the hat wallet and said it was something he would definitely use. I think I was even more delighted than Chad by the entire process. I loved generating solutions and working so quickly didn't allow me any time to overthink or discount ideas. Taking an idea from sketch to prototype so quickly with just some paper and tape was empowering.

Most of all, I felt like I was home.

During this project I made something that solved a problem for someone using the perfect blend of both rationale and creativity through user centered design. I left thinking, "If I could do this every day, I would be SO happy," and upon subsequent reflection realized that at the core of everything I've really enjoyed doing, regardless of field, has been the user centered design process. I thought, "Why DON'T I do this every day?" ....and then, "I'm GOING to do this every day."