Switch, but for photography:
Canon IVY LINQ modular photo console
Switch, but for photography:
Canon IVY LINQ modular photo console
This CMU capstone, in collaboration with the Canon IVY team, explored new ways to engage Gen Z. We designed a modular photo console with the signature IVY printer and 2 detachable cameras, empowering users to capture and relive moments, making memories truly tangible.
This project was a CMU capstone in collaboration with the Canon IVY team, who were eager to explore new opportunities within product suite to better engage Gen Z users. Our team designed a modular photo console that integrates the signature IVY photo printer with 2 detachable cameras, creating a playful yet functional system where Gen Z can both capture and relive their favorite moments. By bridging digital and physical experiences, the console makes memories truly tangible.
Role
Designer Lead
Type
CMU Capstone in a team of 6
Keywords
#Innovation, #Prototyping, #Research
The Initial Problem
The Initial Problem
How might we expand the Canon IVY brand to engage Gen Z?
How might we expand the Canon IVY brand to engage Gen Z?
How might we expand the Canon IVY brand to engage Gen Z?
As the core customer base of Canon aging out, it launched the IVY brand to bring more products for the younger generations. We were given the task to explore Gen Z’s photography and social media habits to uncover opportunities for innovative content experiences.
We started with conducting extensive domain research to better understand who they are, what they value, and what drives their spending decisions. This helped us uncover what products resonate with them and what they're actually willing to pay for.
User Research
User Research
The rise of nostalgia in the social media native generation
The rise of nostalgia in the social media native generation
The rise of nostalgia in the social media native generation
We started with conducting extensive domain research to better understand Gen Z users. Growing up as the first true digital natives, Gen Z document every moment online. While they still heavily rely on digital content, many are turning to printing and scrapbooking to preserve ‘special’ moments offline.
We started with conducting extensive domain research to better understand who they are, what they value, and what drives their spending decisions. This helped us uncover what products resonate with them and what they're actually willing to pay for.
Discovery
Discovery
Finding opportunities through 3 insights
Finding opportunities through 3 insights
To dive deeper, we interviewed 6 doctoral-level researchers who study Gen Z across various fields, conducted 15 in-depth interviews & 3 panel interviews with Gen Z young adults to better understand their photography habits, then synthesized the insights using affinity diagramming, which helped us uncover 3 key patterns to guide the product direction.
To dive deeper, we interviewed 6 doctoral-level researchers who study Gen Z across various fields, conducted 15 in-depth interviews & 3 panel interviews with Gen Z young adults to better understand their photography habits, then synthesized the insights using affinity diagramming, which helped us uncover 3 key patterns to guide the product direction.
1️⃣Created content should move between devices and platforms
1️⃣Created content should move between devices and platforms
Users move fluidly through 6 stages of content creation & consumption journey. Given the potential of smartphones, our solution shouldn't compete with them but rather complement their capabilities.
Users move fluidly through 6 stages of content creation & consumption journey. Images and videos constantly move across devices and apps to reach their best form. Given the potential of smartphones, our solution shouldn't compete with them but rather complement their capabilities.
2️⃣Our product needs to build and strengthen relationships
2️⃣Our product needs to build and strengthen relationships
Users 'Micro' and 'Macro' share , each driven by different intentions. But regardless of the sharing scope, Gen Z create and share content primarily to foster interactions and receive attention or feedback from their audience.
Users 'Micro' and 'Macro' share , each driven by different intentions. But regardless of the sharing scope, Gen Z create and share content primarily to foster interactions and receive attention or feedback from their audience.
3️⃣The product should create more memory than content
3️⃣The product should create more memory than content
Content captures moments, but only a small portion becomes a lasting "memory". They value annotations, such as handwritten notes, which add extra significance to the content.
Content captures moments, but only a small portion becomes a lasting "memory". They value annotations, such as handwritten notes, which add extra significance to the content.
Reframe The Problem
How might we help Gen Z turn digital memories
into tangible, easily accessible experiences?
How might we help Gen Z turn digital memories
into tangible, easily accessible experiences?
Integration
The solution should seamlessly integrate with devices and platforms used by Gen Z and their social circles, enabling effortless content creation and sharing.
The solution should seamlessly integrate with devices and platforms used by Gen Z and their social circles, enabling effortless content creation and sharing.
Connection
The solution should help users build and strengthen relationships by creating and sharing content.
The solution should help users build and strengthen relationships by creating and sharing content.
Nostalgia
The solution should align with the vintage culture trend and enable users to relive meaningful moments from their lives.
The solution should align with the vintage culture trend and enable users to relive meaningful moments from their lives.
Final Design
Final Design
LINQ Modular Photo Console:
Capture cherished moment with your loved ones
LINQ Modular Photo Console:
Capture cherished moment with your loved ones
LINQ Modular Photo Console:
Capture cherished moment with your loved ones
Wireframes & Prototypes
Wireframes & Prototypes
How did we get here
How did we get here
How did we get here
Guided by the 3 design requirements—Integration, Connection, and Nostalgia—we developed 4 core features. Using wireframes and interactive prototypes, we tested these features with users to gather feedback and refine the experience.
Guided by the 3 design requirements—Integration, Connection, and Nostalgia—we developed 4 core features. Using wireframes and interactive prototypes, we tested these features with users to gather feedback and refine the experience.
Integration
Digital Photo Album
Connection
Nintendo Switch
Nostalgia
Film Camera
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
Cross-Functional at its Finest
Cross-Functional at its Finest
Cross-Functional at its Finest
During this 4-month project, I engaged in all phases of the product design process, including Design, Business, and Engineering. While I enjoyed turning innovative ideas into useful features as the Design Lead, I learned the crucial role of Engineering in maintaining cost-efficiency and the importance of Business in ensuring the product's business value.
During this 4-month project, I engaged in all phases of the product design process, including Design, Business, and Engineering. While I enjoyed turning innovative ideas into useful features as the Design Lead, I learned the crucial role of Engineering in maintaining cost-efficiency and the importance of Business in ensuring the product's business value.
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Designed by Hailey Yixuan Li
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Designed by Hailey Yixuan Li
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Designed by Hailey Yixuan Li