Published
Author
Jack Wells
Oaklands College Live Brief
At D5XR, we want to inspire younger generations to explore the potential of immersive technology. So this year, we visited Oaklands College again to set their science and engineering students a live brief. We also showed them some VR, MR, and AR experiences we've designed and built in the studio, to inspire them to think creatively about how they exhibit their work.
The Brief
This year, we asked students to design a revolutionary hair removal tool for a Wookie. Yes, a Wookie from Star Wars. Students had to imagine themselves as product designers for Gillette's fictional "Intergalactic Innovation Team".
By making the market completely non-human and unfamiliar, students had to find creative solutions to a problem they had never considered before. We gave them detailed, fictional consumer research about Wookie proportions, existing hair removal methods, and key pain points that needed to influence the design of their product.
The Presentations
The real aim of this project was to teach students how to turn complex ideas into digestible stories and visuals. Working in teams, they had to interpret data, design a solution, and present it to an audience, all at once.
We were delighted by what they came up with. Their designs included lightsaber technology, razors with extendable handles, considered proportions based around Wookie ergonomics, and even some physical models that brought their ideas to life. Students considered everything from materials, recyclability and commercial viability, to naming and branding their products around Wookie culture with a level of thoughtfulness that would hold up in a real pitch room.
Conclusion
Every time we set a live brief at Oaklands College, we love seeing students rise to the challenge. If a group of science and engineering students can design a credible, commercially-minded hair removal tool for a fictional species, we can't wait to see what they will go on to create in the future.
Oaklands College Live Brief
At D5XR, we want to inspire younger generations to explore the potential of immersive technology. So this year, we visited Oaklands College again to set their science and engineering students a live brief. We also showed them some VR, MR, and AR experiences we've designed and built in the studio, to inspire them to think creatively about how they exhibit their work.
The Brief
This year, we asked students to design a revolutionary hair removal tool for a Wookie. Yes, a Wookie from Star Wars. Students had to imagine themselves as product designers for Gillette's fictional "Intergalactic Innovation Team".
By making the market completely non-human and unfamiliar, students had to find creative solutions to a problem they had never considered before. We gave them detailed, fictional consumer research about Wookie proportions, existing hair removal methods, and key pain points that needed to influence the design of their product.
The Presentations
The real aim of this project was to teach students how to turn complex ideas into digestible stories and visuals. Working in teams, they had to interpret data, design a solution, and present it to an audience, all at once.
We were delighted by what they came up with. Their designs included lightsaber technology, razors with extendable handles, considered proportions based around Wookie ergonomics, and even some physical models that brought their ideas to life. Students considered everything from materials, recyclability and commercial viability, to naming and branding their products around Wookie culture with a level of thoughtfulness that would hold up in a real pitch room.
Conclusion
Every time we set a live brief at Oaklands College, we love seeing students rise to the challenge. If a group of science and engineering students can design a credible, commercially-minded hair removal tool for a fictional species, we can't wait to see what they will go on to create in the future.
