Week 11 Worked Example: Portfolio Building
The Case Study (captions shown)
1. Title: Roll-Up Desk Mat. A one-motion tool organiser for shared desks.
2. Problem: "How might we help a learner on a shared desk start and pack away creative work in under a minute?" For students who cannot leave a desk set up.
3. Research: [interview photo] Caption: A tester said "I lose twenty minutes clearing space." This told me setup time, not mess, was the real problem.
4. Ideas: [idea board photo] Caption: 22 ideas in three themes. I chose the roll-up mat because it packs away in one motion.
5. Prototype and testing: [prototype photo] Caption: A felt prototype. Testing showed end tools slid out and the tie was slow.
6. Iteration: [before and after] Caption: I stiffened the edges and added an elastic fastening. Retesting confirmed both fixed the problems.
7. Final outcome: [final photo in use] Caption: The finished mat packs away in eighteen seconds and keeps five tools in view.
8. Reflection: Watching testers struggle taught me more than any sketch. Next time I would test earlier, with a rougher prototype.
Why This Passes
- It shows the whole process, not just the final image.
- Every image has a caption that says what it shows and why it mattered.
- Decisions and reasoning are visible at each stage.
- The reflection is specific and forward looking.
Weak Versus Strong
Weak
Three glossy photos of the final mat, no problem, no research, no testing, caption-free, with "I learned a lot" as the reflection.
Strong
The eight-section story above: problem, research, ideas, testing, iteration, outcome, and a specific reflection, each image earning its place.