8 December 2021
Summary
Participating in the Product Development Challenge was a transformative journey, immersing me in the dynamic intersection of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Guided by the collaborative ethos of the course, I navigated through challenges, from market research to prototyping, honing essential skills in leadership, research, and project execution along the way. Successful prototype of heal heels, heels that can transform into flat shoes, was developed. Despite challenges, including pivoting our initial idea, the experience cultivated resilience and a passion for leveraging technology and entrepreneurship to effect tangible change in the world. As I move forward, I am guided by invaluable lessons and a newfound passion, shaping my future endeavors with gratitude and an unwavering excitement to catalyze positive change.
Introduction
During my time at university, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Product Development Challenge, a one-semester course offered through a collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Dyson. This course was designed with a strong focus on entrepreneurship, encouraging students to generate innovative ideas while teaching the fundamentals of starting a business. Key areas of learning included conducting market research, assessing market feasibility, navigating the prototyping stages, and much more.
In this course, students formed groups of five to six members, each guided by a supervisor from Dyson. I had the privilege of leading my group under the supervision of Ms. Yvonne Tan, the R&D Director of Dyson Singapore. Together, our team developed a prototype for Heal Heels, a pair of convertible heels that can transform into flat shoes. This experience solidified my eagerness to integrate my passion for research and technological advancement with entrepreneurship, driven by the belief that entrepreneurial endeavors have the power to bring innovative ideas to life and create meaningful impact on a global scale.
Journey
Heal Heels project followed the following steps to completion:
- Idea Brainstorm: We engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions, identifying pressing problems and generating a multitude of product ideas aimed at addressing these challenges.
- Market Research: Through meticulous market research, we examined the demand landscape, assessed existing products, and evaluated the market viability of our proposed solution to ensure alignment with consumer needs.
- Customer Validation: We conducted comprehensive surveys and research to validate our product concept, gaining insights into customer preferences and demand to refine our solution further.
- Product Design: Utilizing tools like SolidWorks, we meticulously planned and designed our product, considering factors like functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability to ensure an effective solution to the identified problem.
- Prototyping: Leveraging various prototyping techniques, we transformed our design concepts into tangible prototypes, iterating through multiple iterations to refine functionality and usability.
- Final Presentation: In our culminating presentation, we articulated the problem we aimed to solve, showcased the market feasibility of our solution, and presented prototypes demonstrating the innovative features and benefits of our product concept.
Results
Key results from the project were:
- Completion of a working prototype
- Successful final presentation
- A+ course result
Skills
Throughout the experience, I acquired or enhanced the following skills:
- CAD (SolidWorks)
- Designing and prototyping
- Leadership
- Market research and analysis
- Presentation and effective communication
Prospects
Upon completion of our first prototype, we designed three more heels to enhance our product:
- Air Heels: Heel design to enable continuous height adjustment and enhance cushioning effect utilizing air pressure to support user weight
- Screw Heels: Heel design to enable convenient and continuous height adjustment
- Step Heels: Heel design to expand the discrete height adjustment capabilities
We plan to test the three designs and choose one to develop further. Upon developing a rigorous prototype, we plan to submit our design to Dyson Innovation Award.
Reflection
Navigating the Product Development Challenge presented numerous hurdles, each requiring unique solutions. Leading the team demanded a delicate balance of motivation and effective problem-solving, with the weight of critical decisions intensifying the pressure. Transitioning from academia to product development necessitated adaptability and perseverance, amplified by the rigors of weekly presentations and tight deadlines. The most formidable challenge arose when we had to pivot our initial idea after investing seven weeks, a decision that strained team morale and compounded our already tight schedule. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset added another layer of complexity, demanding constant adaptation and unbiased evaluation of our progress through the lens of market feedback.
Participating in the Product Development Challenge and pushing through its challenges provided a transformative learning experience, emphasizing effective leadership and teamwork amidst its hardships. Understanding team dynamics and fostering trust were crucial, highlighting the collective synergy of a cohesive team. Engaging in rigorous market research and customer validation sharpened my research skills for future endeavors, while flexibility and problem-focused thinking enabled effective adaptation to challenges. Aligning our vision with market realities underscored the need for constant reflection and adjustment, pivotal for progress. Navigating tight deadlines honed project management skills, with decisive action driving progress. Hands-on prototyping offered practical insights, informing future innovation initiatives. Overall, this journey illuminated myriad opportunities for those with adaptable minds, offering a holistic education beyond traditional academic boundaries.
This unique experience has ignited my passion for entrepreneurship as a vehicle for meaningful global impact. It has cultivated resilience and adaptability while opening new avenues for growth and exploration. Integrating research and technology with entrepreneurship offers promising avenues for societal progress. I am particularly drawn to deep-tech startups and their potential to address complex global challenges, eagerly looking forward to contributing to this transformative space.
Conclusion
Participating in the Product Development Challenge has been both demanding and fulfilling, pushing me beyond my comfort zone into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and product development. Despite the challenges in leadership, market research, prototyping, and presentations, the journey has provided invaluable lessons and skills, fostering resilience and adaptability crucial for future endeavors. Beyond tangible outcomes, it's the intangible lessons in leadership, critical thinking, communication, and adaptability that resonate deeply and will guide my path forward.
Reflecting on this transformative experience fills me with gratitude and excitement for the future. The challenge has not only expanded my skill set but has also ignited a passion for effecting positive change. It's a journey marked by perseverance, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of making a meaningful impact—a journey I'll cherish and carry with me always.