Priyanshi Parekh Designs
Puddleshaker: Empowering Innovators Through Collaboration
Introduction: A Platform for Innovators
Puddleshaker is an innovative platform designed to foster creativity and collaboration among innovators. It provides a comprehensive environment where users can develop, share, and refine their ideas seamlessly. This project began as part of an internship under the mentorship of our professor, where our team contributed to the initial design and concept development
About Puddleshaker
Puddleshaker is tailored to meet the needs of innovators by integrating essential tools for ideation, collaboration, and execution into a single platform. By simplifying the innovation process, Puddleshaker enables users to focus on creativity and practical implementation, enhancing their ability to innovate effectively.
Design Thinking Process
The development of Puddleshaker was guided by the principles of Design Thinking, ensuring a user-centered approach throughout the project.
Understanding
The Understand phase involved comprehensive research and analysis to gain deep insights into the needs and challenges of our target users—both investors and innovators.
User Stories
The Investors
Alex and Bella are seasoned venture capitalists working at InnoVest Ventures, a firm known for its strategic investments in technology and sustainability startups. Over the years, they have built a robust professional partnership, where Alex focuses on analyzing the scalability and disruptive potential of technology startups, while Bella specializes in assessing ventures with strong sustainability and social impact. Their collaborative approach has led to several successful investments, but their firm lacks a centralized system for tracking the progress of these investments, often resulting in fragmented information and missed strategic opportunities.
​
Recently, as they decided to diversify and expand their portfolio, Alex and Bella realized the need for a platform that could streamline their investment tracking process. They sought a solution that provides comprehensive insights into ongoing projects, allowing them to monitor progress, assess potential risks, and identify opportunities for intervention. With Puddleshaker, they can view detailed project dashboards, track key milestones, and maintain better communication with the startups they support, ultimately making more informed and timely investment decisions.
As investors, we want to use a platform that provides detailed insights into ongoing projects and their progress, so we can make informed investment decisions and effectively manage our portfolio.
The Innovator
Priya is a passionate innovator who recently graduated with a degree in Sustainable Technology. Driven by her desire to address environmental challenges, she has developed an idea for an innovative, eco-friendly packaging solution. However, as a solo entrepreneur operating from a small coworking space, Priya faces significant challenges in organizing her thoughts, collaborating with potential team members, and accessing the resources she needs to bring her idea to fruition.
Recognizing the limitations of her current setup, Priya turned to Puddleshaker for its comprehensive suite of tools designed to support innovators like herself. Using the platform, she can brainstorm and refine her ideas with the help of integrated mind maps and project planning tools. The collaborative workspaces allow her to engage with potential partners and mentors in real-time, receiving valuable feedback and support. Additionally, the Resource Hub provides access to templates and expert advice, helping her navigate the complexities of developing a sustainable product. With Puddleshaker, Priya is empowered to transform her eco-friendly packaging concept into a viable project, with the support and structure needed to succeed.
As an innovator, I want to use a platform that offers collaborative tools and access to expert feedback, so I can effectively develop and refine my ideas and achieve successful outcomes.
Outcomes : Identifying and connecting potential opportunities
Beginnigs
Outcomes
-
Lack of Unified Tools
-
Difficulty Tracking Progress
-
Inconsistent Communication
-
Need for Organized Information
-
Challenges in Decision-Making
-
Lack of Access to Resources and Feedback
-
Need for Enhanced Collaboration
-
Unified Platform
-
Centralized Tracking
-
Improved Communication
-
Organized Data Access
-
Informed Decision-Making
-
Access to Resources and Feedback
-
Enhanced Collaboration
Middle
Workflow
Information Architecture
Task Flows
Build
The Build phase focused on transforming the insights gained from the Understand phase into tangible outcomes, including branding, wireframes, and prototypes.
Branding
Low - Fi Wireframes
Color Test
High - Fi Wireframes
Reflection and Learnings
Working on Puddleshaker was an enriching and transformative experience that provided profound insights into the complexities of designing a platform tailored for innovators and investors. This project emphasized the importance of a holistic and user-centered approach in developing tools that support the multifaceted innovation process.
Depth of Understanding
Through the Understand phase, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs and pain points faced by our target users. By developing detailed user stories and workflows, we identified critical challenges such as the lack of unified tools, difficulties in tracking progress, and inconsistent communication. These insights were pivotal in shaping the design and functionality of Puddleshaker, ensuring that the platform addresses real-world issues effectively.
Our exploration of Information Architecture (IA) and brainstorming sessions allowed us to create a structured and intuitive navigation system that supports seamless access to essential tools and information. This thorough understanding laid the foundation for the Build phase, where we translated these insights into tangible outcomes, including branding, wireframes, and prototypes.
Finally
Working on Puddleshaker was a journey of discovery and growth, both professionally and personally. I am profoundly grateful to my professor for his unwavering guidance and mentorship, which illuminated our path and enriched our understanding of design complexities. His encouragement and wisdom were invaluable in shaping Puddleshaker into a meaningful and user-centered platform. I also want to express my deep appreciation to my incredible team. Your creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit turned our vision into reality. Together, we not only built a platform but also forged unforgettable memories and lessons that will stay with us. Thank you for being the best part of this journey.
Phone
Excited to have me on board? Got any questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.