Minor Project

9/2025-1/2026 

Cai Zihan 0378043

Motion Graphics and Compositing / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University

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TABLE OF CONTENT

INSTRUCTIONS

LECTURES

Minor Project

FEEDBACK

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

This is a multidisciplinary collaborative learning module, designed to assist students in creating industry-related documents and prototypes based on the production process of the creative media industry. The submission will be a complete project proposal and a proof-of-concept prototype, positioning the creative solution as a unique industry-related proposition. Students need to collaborate as mixed groups with other classes from different core disciplines to design solutions to problems. The mixed student groups will work collaboratively in a studio environment and independently, identifying, analyzing, and applying the acquired knowledge to form a formal design solution. As part of the assignment, students need to receive guidance to present their creativity to potential funders (if applicable) and clients, and independently lead and manage the project until the end of the semester. Formative assessment will be conducted throughout the project development and management process, while summative assessment is used to evaluate the final presentation results and the submission of prototype design works. This course will be taught using blended learning materials, including tutorial videos, a case study online resource library, and visual expert lectures. These references help to achieve flipped teaching, to supplement the face-to-face consultation sessions. The content of these sessions will be recorded and managed online. At the end of this module, students will have completed the work of analyzing the needs of the target audience, generating creative ideas, and creating a proof-of-concept prototype, and will be ready to present it to industry reviewers.

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Minor Project

Week 2：

Our group chose the Ai social robot.

Week 3：

We have identified our user profiles: elderly people and caregivers.

CRITERIA

-Inclusive Critieria

-Regardless of Gender

-+70 Years

-Non-active seniors (unable to leave their residences for more than once a week)

-Minimal contact with family or related communities

-Retired (Non-working)

-Seniors who are confined to minimal contact due to external circumstances (health/legal etc.)

-Exclusive Criteria 

-<70 Years

-Active seniors (able to leave their residences for more than once a week)

-In active contact with their family

-Working (Inclusive of all-ages)

The following are the contents written by Week1-5 in Figjam.

Fig 1.1 Figjam（Week 1-5）

Week 1-5：

During Weeks 1-5, the "empathy stage" was in effect (background research + pre-interviews)

1. Problem Statement

• Elderly people in Malaysia are facing issues of loneliness and social isolation (affecting over 1/3 of the elderly population), accompanied by psychological/physical health risks;

• Elderly people have low acceptance of new technologies and lack appropriate care facilities;

• Project objective: To study the long-term emotional/psychological impact of social robots on the elderly, propose AI robot solutions, and focus on the elderly group aged 60 and above (or 85 years old as defined by medical insurance).

2. Social AI Robot Positioning

• It is a fully functional robot combining software and hardware, providing companionship/assistance to the elderly, improving cognitive functions through daily social interactions, alleviating loneliness, and facilitating physical and mental emotional health;

• It needs to be adapted to the individual needs of different elderly people, while maintaining an affordable price (different from the high-priced similar products in the market).

3. Research Objectives

1. Clarify the challenges faced by the elderly, the issue of loneliness, and the predicaments of the main caregivers;

2. Understand the physiological/psychological impact of modern technology on the elderly;

3. Build a solution path based on AI technology for addressing the needs of the elderly.

4. Research Questions

1. What problems (psychological/physical) do the elderly face? How can AI devices improve their quality of life?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of current measures to assist the elderly?

3. How can elderly people be helped in a simple and accessible way?

Fig 1.2 User profile

Week 6-7：

Fig 1.3 Interview

Week 6-7 We identified the user profiles that needed to be interviewed. We needed to interview 3 elderly people and 3 caregivers. After our interview, we transcribed the interview content.

Fig 1.4 EMPATHY, AFFINITY DIAGRAM,& EMPATHY MAP

Through the interview content, we completed the EMPATHY, AFFINITY DIAGRAM, and EMPATHY MAP.

Week 7-9

Fig 1.5 BRAINSTORMING PROPOSED IDEAS

During Weeks 7-8, it was in the "definition" and "ideation" stages.

Current issue: Continue the previous content - Older people in Malaysia are facing loneliness / social isolation, lack of appropriate care facilities, and loneliness causing physical and mental problems; the project needs to study the long-term emotional / psychological impact of social robots on them and propose an AI solution.

• Optimized question (according to the template): In response to the needs of the elderly, more specific statements have been added (such as "The elderly need psychological / physiological care because the current human care is insufficient" "Social AI robots are needed because most elderly people are not good at technology" etc.). 

Propose solutions for two groups:

• Elderly people: How to make AI robots meet their needs, simplify operations, provide daily companionship / memory assistance, etc.;

• Caregivers: How to use AI to reduce the psychological burden of caregivers, decrease repetitive work, and improve interaction efficiency, etc.

Week 10-12

Fig 1.6 PROTOTYPING & FINALIZATION

1. Sketch Prototypes (Our Sketches): Team members independently drew the initial sketches of the social AI robot, covering design concepts such as the robot's form and interaction methods (such as integration with televisions, association with wearable devices);

2. Finalized/Selected Prototypes: The final design was determined, including competitor analysis diagrams, detailed combinations of the robot and remote controller, vertical device form, etc., and additional functional details were added (such as simplified operation, voice interaction).

Week 13

Fig 1.7 PROTOTYPING & FINALIZATION

Conduct creative sketching for the interface of smart TVs (such as the main interface, emergency functions, health monitoring, etc.), and clearly define the core functions of the "HARA" TV (such as health tracking, emergency calls, companionship interaction).

Prototype of HARA TV interface:

• Completed the design of the initial prototype page and draft prototype, including the main interface, health data panel, emergency function entry, companionship interaction module, etc., in terms of visual and functional layout.

User testing phase:

1. Test subjects: Use "Tan Jiaxin (elderly family member / interior designer)" as the user profile;

2. Test plan: Includes task processes (such as setting the TV, voice control, health status marking, emergency call, etc. 16 tasks), test steps and expected results;

3. Goal: To verify the usability of the interface and the practicality of the functions, and to collect feedback for optimizing the prototype.

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Feedback

Experience

This module was a transformative journey brimming with trials and growth. There were stretches where our team worked in perfect harmony, effortlessly translating creative concepts into concrete action plans. Yet there were also frustrating intervals when we found ourselves stuck in a mire of misalignment, struggling to agree on a shared direction.

In the end, this project served as an authentic microcosm of professional teamwork, granting me an immersive glimpse into the inner workings of a design-focused team. The expertise I picked up and the hands-on experience I accumulated throughout this process will prove to be invaluable assets down the line. Skills such as collaborating with a diverse group of teammates, adjusting nimbly to unforeseen changes, and mediating conflicting viewpoints are not only cornerstones of successful design work but also transferable to countless aspects of daily life. Even with all the stress and sleepless nights it entailed, this module was an immensely enriching learning opportunity, and I’m determined to carry these valuable takeaways into my future career pursuits.

Observations

Active listening holds equal weight to effective communication in a team setting. I’d always accepted the importance of communication as an unspoken truth, but this module drove home the realization that genuine teamwork involves far more than just voicing one’s own thoughts. There were occasions when team members held brilliant ideas back out of hesitation, or when someone’s insightful input got brushed aside in our eagerness to push the project forward.

I came to understand that dedicating time to listen attentively to each other’s perspectives, validating differing opinions, and fostering a secure environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing can drastically boost a team’s overall efficiency. Regular team check-ins are not merely a tool for monitoring project progress—they also play a key role in ensuring that no one on the team feels isolated or burdened by excessive pressure.

Findings

I found that clarifying the core objective from the very outset is the key to steering clear of costly detours. What I mean by this is that before we dive headfirst into specific tasks, it’s critical for the whole team to collectively define not only the ultimate goal we’re striving for but also the core value we intend to deliver through our work. This kind of clarity acts as a compass, helping the team stay focused when confronted with a multitude of options or unexpected hurdles.

When we have a firm grasp of the fundamental purpose behind our work—whether it’s addressing a specific pain point for users or achieving a predefined outcome—we’re better equipped to make sound decisions about the best way to execute our tasks and how to prioritize our workload. Understanding the “why” that underpins our efforts doesn’t just chart a clear path forward; it also keeps the team motivated and united when we encounter challenges along the way.