Experience Map
Experience Map
As a student in HCDE 518 working with a four-person team to research and prototype a service (Her Transit) that increases women’s sense of safety when commuting to campus. Over ten weeks we moved from topic selection and field research, to sketching and prototyping, to user testing and a final showcase. This map traces my weekly touchpoints, actions, thoughts, emotions, and key takeaways so readers can evaluate how the course experience unfolded and where future improvements are possible.
As a student in HCDE 518 working with a four-person team to research and prototype a service (Her Transit) that increases women’s sense of safety when commuting to campus. Over ten weeks we moved from topic selection and field research, to sketching and prototyping, to user testing and a final showcase. This map traces my weekly touchpoints, actions, thoughts, emotions, and key takeaways so readers can evaluate how the course experience unfolded and where future improvements are possible.
As a student in HCDE 518 working with a four-person team to research and prototype a service (Her Transit) that increases women’s sense of safety when commuting to campus. Over ten weeks we moved from topic selection and field research, to sketching and prototyping, to user testing and a final showcase. This map traces my weekly touchpoints, actions, thoughts, emotions, and key takeaways so readers can evaluate how the course experience unfolded and where future improvements are possible.
timeline
timeline
12 weeks
12 weeks
2025
2025
Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA
Starting the quarter, I felt unsure about how the group dynamics would form, especially since I already knew design process. The first discussions on methods and expectations made me wonder if this would be repetitive. I entered the quarter cautiously, waiting to see how the team would work.
Starting the quarter, I felt unsure about how the group dynamics would form, especially since I already knew design process. The first discussions on methods and expectations made me wonder if this would be repetitive. I entered the quarter cautiously, waiting to see how the team would work.
Designing Process, Design Thinking & Interaction Design
Designing Process, Design Thinking & Interaction Design
week 1
week 1
After our first full team meeting, I immediately felt calmer, the group seemed aligned and willing to collaborate. I started observing my own commute and talking to women around me about their experiences. The research phase felt natural and grounding.
After our first full team meeting, I immediately felt calmer, the group seemed aligned and willing to collaborate. I started observing my own commute and talking to women around me about their experiences. The research phase felt natural and grounding.
User Research, Survey Design and Data Gathering
User Research, Survey Design and Data Gathering
week 2
week 2
Creating personas came together quickly, but JTBD felt shaky without feedback. Even with confusion, we trusted the process and kept moving. This week clarified who we were designing for, even if the details weren’t perfect.
Creating personas came together quickly, but JTBD felt shaky without feedback. Even with confusion, we trusted the process and kept moving. This week clarified who we were designing for, even if the details weren’t perfect.
User Research, Personas & JTBD
User Research, Personas & JTBD
week 2
week 2
Brainstorming sessions were energizing, especially when we looked at all our sketches together. Crazy 8s felt fun, fast, and creative. Choosing the top ideas as a team helped us feel aligned again.
Brainstorming sessions were energizing, especially when we looked at all our sketches together. Crazy 8s felt fun, fast, and creative. Choosing the top ideas as a team helped us feel aligned again.
Brainstorming, Ideation & Sketching
Brainstorming, Ideation & Sketching
week 4
week 4
Sketching drills were creative, but our JTBD uncertainty lingered in the background. Even so, bringing ideas to life visually helped clarify direction. The team felt steady but not fully confident.
Sketching drills were creative, but our JTBD uncertainty lingered in the background. Even so, bringing ideas to life visually helped clarify direction. The team felt steady but not fully confident.
Design Principles, Sprints & Sketching to communicate ideas
Design Principles, Sprints & Sketching to communicate ideas
week 5
week 5
The mundane-to-futuristic sketching pushed me to think beyond realistic boundaries, which was surprisingly freeing. Our selected concepts felt strong, and seeing them evolve gave me a confidence boost. It finally felt like we had something tangible.
The mundane-to-futuristic sketching pushed me to think beyond realistic boundaries, which was surprisingly freeing. Our selected concepts felt strong, and seeing them evolve gave me a confidence boost. It finally felt like we had something tangible.
Design Concepts
Design Concepts
week 6
week 6
Prototyping was simple but purposeful, even if other groups looked more polished. Our concept still felt promising. Despite one group member being unwell, the work moved forward.
Prototyping was simple but purposeful, even if other groups looked more polished. Our concept still felt promising. Despite one group member being unwell, the work moved forward.
Prototyping
Prototyping
week 7
week 7
Usability heuristics made us question if our prototype was too basic compared to others. We pushed the design a bit more, but that doubt lingered. It was a moment of comparing ourselves too much.
Usability heuristics made us question if our prototype was too basic compared to others. We pushed the design a bit more, but that doubt lingered. It was a moment of comparing ourselves too much.
Usability Heuristics, User Testing & Accessibility
Usability Heuristics, User Testing & Accessibility
week 8
week 8
User testing changed everything - users genuinely trusted the service and understood the value. Despite feeling tired and behind earlier, this validation lifted our spirits. It became clear the concept resonated.
User testing changed everything - users genuinely trusted the service and understood the value. Despite feeling tired and behind earlier, this validation lifted our spirits. It became clear the concept resonated.
Design Specifications & Prototype evaluation
Design Specifications & Prototype evaluation
week 9
week 9
The final showcase felt like a genuine accomplishment. Our booth attracted attention, people resonated with the problem, and the concept made sense. It was a strong ending for an 8-week sprint, and I left feeling satisfied and excited to refine the solution further.
The final showcase felt like a genuine accomplishment. Our booth attracted attention, people resonated with the problem, and the concept made sense. It was a strong ending for an 8-week sprint, and I left feeling satisfied and excited to refine the solution further.
Design Solution
Design Solution
week 10
week 10
🤔
🤔
🔍
🔍
👥
👥
✨
✨
🎯
🎯
🚀
🚀
😓
😓
🔄
🔄
✅
✅
🎉
🎉
touchpoints
touchpoints
doing
doing
Feeling
Feeling
quotes
quotes
thinking
thinking
First class session, meeting the team, revisiting design process topics.
First class session, meeting the team, revisiting design process topics.
Listening to the overview, connecting with team members, outlining initial roles.
Listening to the overview, connecting with team members, outlining initial roles.
Skeptical
Skeptical
“Will this be repetitive? How will the group dynamic work?”
“Will this be repetitive? How will the group dynamic work?”
Wondering how to contribute meaningfully without feeling like I was repeating my past work.
Wondering how to contribute meaningfully without feeling like I was repeating my past work.
Group meeting, commute observations, interviews with women.
Group meeting, commute observations, interviews with women.
Notetaking, surveying peers, identifying patterns in stories from women commuters.
Notetaking, surveying peers, identifying patterns in stories from women commuters.
Relieved, steady
Relieved, steady
“This group feels good. We can do this.”
“This group feels good. We can do this.”
Realizing the topic was genuinely meaningful, and research could guide us well.
Realizing the topic was genuinely meaningful, and research could guide us well.
Building personas, drafting JTBD statements, syncing as a group.
Building personas, drafting JTBD statements, syncing as a group.
Synthesizing interviews, mapping needs, clustering insights.
Synthesizing interviews, mapping needs, clustering insights.
Motivated
Motivated
“These stories are important. This matters.”
“These stories are important. This matters.”
Seeing clear patterns in user needs reinforced that we were on the right path.
Seeing clear patterns in user needs reinforced that we were on the right path.
Team ideation session, sketching exercises, affinity mapping.
Team ideation session, sketching exercises, affinity mapping.
Filling pages with sketches, discussing concepts, voting on ideas.
Filling pages with sketches, discussing concepts, voting on ideas.
Mildly unsure
Mildly unsure
“We have so many possibilities.”
“We have so many possibilities.”
Feeling momentum build as ideas visually took shape.
Feeling momentum build as ideas visually took shape.
Crazy 8s, storyboard sketches, design sprint activities.
Crazy 8s, storyboard sketches, design sprint activities.
Refining key ideas, merging overlapping sketches, preparing concepts.
Refining key ideas, merging overlapping sketches, preparing concepts.
Energized
Energized
“Personas are solid… JTBD still unclear though.”
“Personas are solid… JTBD still unclear though.”
We can move forward even when parts feel unfinished - iteration will fix gaps.
We can move forward even when parts feel unfinished - iteration will fix gaps.
Concept sketches, critique sessions, group refinement.
Concept sketches, critique sessions, group refinement.
Exploring extremes of ideas, comparing directions, polishing three solid concepts.
Exploring extremes of ideas, comparing directions, polishing three solid concepts.
Inspired
Inspired
“We have great ideas. This is fun.”
“We have great ideas. This is fun.”
Letting myself stretch creatively opened new perspectives on the solution.
Letting myself stretch creatively opened new perspectives on the solution.
Low-fi prototyping, wireframes, early feature decisions.
Low-fi prototyping, wireframes, early feature decisions.
Creating basic flows, testing interactions with each other, revising screens.
Creating basic flows, testing interactions with each other, revising screens.
Neutral,
slight concern
Neutral,
slight concern
“There’s so much potential if we think bigger.”
“There’s so much potential if we think bigger.”
Realizing the value of simplicity, we didn’t need flashy features to solve the problem.
Realizing the value of simplicity, we didn’t need flashy features to solve the problem.
Applying heuristics, revising screens, peer feedback in class.
Applying heuristics, revising screens, peer feedback in class.
Tightening flows, addressing clarity issues, making small usability improvements.
Tightening flows, addressing clarity issues, making small usability improvements.
Fatigued
Fatigued
“Our prototype feels basic… are we behind?”
“Our prototype feels basic… are we behind?”
Noticing that comparison doesn't always help — trust the simplicity of the idea.
Noticing that comparison doesn't always help — trust the simplicity of the idea.
Running user tests, collecting feedback, revising prototype.
Running user tests, collecting feedback, revising prototype.
Asking questions, observing reactions, documenting insights.
Asking questions, observing reactions, documenting insights.
Encouraged
Encouraged
“Users actually trust this. It works.”
“Users actually trust this. It works.”
Realizing that real users matter more than looking “advanced” compared to other groups.
Realizing that real users matter more than looking “advanced” compared to other groups.
Final showcase booth, demo sessions, conversations with visitors.
Final showcase booth, demo sessions, conversations with visitors.
Presenting, storytelling, explaining our design decisions.
Presenting, storytelling, explaining our design decisions.
Proud, fulfilled
Proud, fulfilled
“We built something meaningful in 8 weeks.”
“We built something meaningful in 8 weeks.”
Feeling proud that our work connected with people and had real community value.
Feeling proud that our work connected with people and had real community value.
Starting the quarter, I felt unsure about how the group dynamics would form, especially since I already knew design process. The first discussions on methods and expectations made me wonder if this would be repetitive. I entered the quarter cautiously, waiting to see how the team would work.
Designing Process, Design Thinking & Interaction Design
week 1
After our first full team meeting, I immediately felt calmer, the group seemed aligned and willing to collaborate. I started observing my own commute and talking to women around me about their experiences. The research phase felt natural and grounding.
User Research, Survey Design and Data Gathering
week 2
Creating personas came together quickly, but JTBD felt shaky without feedback. Even with confusion, we trusted the process and kept moving. This week clarified who we were designing for, even if the details weren’t perfect.
User Research, Personas & JTBD
week 2
Brainstorming sessions were energizing, especially when we looked at all our sketches together. Crazy 8s felt fun, fast, and creative. Choosing the top ideas as a team helped us feel aligned again.
Brainstorming, Ideation & Sketching
week 4
Sketching drills were creative, but our JTBD uncertainty lingered in the background. Even so, bringing ideas to life visually helped clarify direction. The team felt steady but not fully confident.
Design Principles, Sprints & Sketching to communicate ideas
week 5
The mundane-to-futuristic sketching pushed me to think beyond realistic boundaries, which was surprisingly freeing. Our selected concepts felt strong, and seeing them evolve gave me a confidence boost. It finally felt like we had something tangible.
Design Concepts
week 6
Prototyping was simple but purposeful, even if other groups looked more polished. Our concept still felt promising. Despite one group member being unwell, the work moved forward.
Prototyping
week 7
Usability heuristics made us question if our prototype was too basic compared to others. We pushed the design a bit more, but that doubt lingered. It was a moment of comparing ourselves too much.
Usability Heuristics, User Testing & Accessibility
week 8
User testing changed everything - users genuinely trusted the service and understood the value. Despite feeling tired and behind earlier, this validation lifted our spirits. It became clear the concept resonated.
Design Specifications & Prototype evaluation
week 9
The final showcase felt like a genuine accomplishment. Our booth attracted attention, people resonated with the problem, and the concept made sense. It was a strong ending for an 8-week sprint, and I left feeling satisfied and excited to refine the solution further.
Design Solution
week 10
🤔
🔍
👥
✨
🎯
🚀
😓
🔄
✅
🎉
touchpoints
doing
Feeling
quotes
thinking
First class session, meeting the team, revisiting design process topics.
Listening to the overview, connecting with team members, outlining initial roles.
Skeptical
“Will this be repetitive? How will the group dynamic work?”
Wondering how to contribute meaningfully without feeling like I was repeating my past work.
Group meeting, commute observations, interviews with women.
Notetaking, surveying peers, identifying patterns in stories from women commuters.
Relieved, steady
“This group feels good. We can do this.”
Realizing the topic was genuinely meaningful, and research could guide us well.
Building personas, drafting JTBD statements, syncing as a group.
Synthesizing interviews, mapping needs, clustering insights.
Motivated
“These stories are important. This matters.”
Seeing clear patterns in user needs reinforced that we were on the right path.
Team ideation session, sketching exercises, affinity mapping.
Filling pages with sketches, discussing concepts, voting on ideas.
Mildly unsure
“We have so many possibilities.”
Feeling momentum build as ideas visually took shape.
Crazy 8s, storyboard sketches, design sprint activities.
Refining key ideas, merging overlapping sketches, preparing concepts.
Energized
“Personas are solid… JTBD still unclear though.”
We can move forward even when parts feel unfinished - iteration will fix gaps.
Concept sketches, critique sessions, group refinement.
Exploring extremes of ideas, comparing directions, polishing three solid concepts.
Inspired
“We have great ideas. This is fun.”
Letting myself stretch creatively opened new perspectives on the solution.
Low-fi prototyping, wireframes, early feature decisions.
Creating basic flows, testing interactions with each other, revising screens.
Neutral,
slight concern
“There’s so much potential if we think bigger.”
Realizing the value of simplicity, we didn’t need flashy features to solve the problem.
Applying heuristics, revising screens, peer feedback in class.
Tightening flows, addressing clarity issues, making small usability improvements.
Fatigued
“Our prototype feels basic… are we behind?”
Noticing that comparison doesn't always help — trust the simplicity of the idea.
Running user tests, collecting feedback, revising prototype.
Asking questions, observing reactions, documenting insights.
Encouraged
“Users actually trust this. It works.”
Realizing that real users matter more than looking “advanced” compared to other groups.
Final showcase booth, demo sessions, conversations with visitors.
Presenting, storytelling, explaining our design decisions.
Proud, fulfilled
“We built something meaningful in 8 weeks.”
Feeling proud that our work connected with people and had real community value.
legend
legend
🤔 : Skeptical
🤔 : Skeptical
🔍 : Relieved
🔍 : Relieved
👥 : Unsure
👥 : Unsure
✨ : Energized
✨ : Energized
💪 : Confident
💪 : Confident
🚀 : Inspired
🚀 : Inspired
😟 : Doubtful
😟 : Doubtful
😐 : Neutral
😐 : Neutral
🎯 : Encouraged
🎯 : Encouraged
🎉 : Proud
🎉 : Proud
Key insights
Key insights
🎢
The Rollercoaster Pattern
🎢
The Rollercoaster Pattern
My journey wasn't linear - it had clear peaks (Weeks 4-6) and a significant valley (Week 7). This taught me to trust the process.
My journey wasn't linear - it had clear peaks (Weeks 4-6) and a significant valley (Week 7). This taught me to trust the process.
👥
Team Dynamics Matter
👥
Team Dynamics Matter
My confidence rose when the team aligned (Week 2) and fell when we felt behind others (Week 7). Collaboration quality directly impacted work.
My confidence rose when the team aligned (Week 2) and fell when we felt behind others (Week 7). Collaboration quality directly impacted work.
✅
Validation is Powerful
✅
Validation is Powerful
User testing (Week 9) reversed my doubt instantly. Hearing "this works" from real users was more impactful than any grade or critique.
User testing (Week 9) reversed my doubt instantly. Hearing "this works" from real users was more impactful than any grade or critique.
🎯
Process Over Perfection
🎯
Process Over Perfection
Our simple prototype was actually well-suited to testing. I learned not to compare surface-level polish.
Our simple prototype was actually well-suited to testing. I learned not to compare surface-level polish.
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