Project goalsThe problem:Approach overview:A-ha momentSolution overviewPrototypes & FeedbackFurther Learnings & ReflectionsIn depth presentation
Project goals
Researching, optimizing and prototyping a new onboarding experience for incoming students at the Royal College of Art within the context of a global pandemic
Improving communications between faculty, staff and students, coordinating work within different departments in the school
The problem:
There’s a peak of happiness when getting accepted to the RCA, but it rapidly turns into anxiety due to a lack of feedback/communication from the school
Approach overview:
Interviewing incoming students, alumni, external students to understand painpoints, and benchmarking to compare with other schools
Engaging stakeholders & front line staff at the school to understand issues + opportunities in the backend
Co-creating + prototyping with incoming students, experimenting with small solutions
Implementing & sharing learnings with stakeholders once sprint was finished
A-ha moment
The strength of the RCA community overcomes challenges set by institutional inadequacy
- Need for new ways of engaging current student remotely with incoming students, earlier on in the process
- Back end fixes need to be done urgently, but administration was not aware of issues
- Historically the RCA has always been a mess, and it is perceived as fuel for creativity. A balance must be kept.
Solution overview
Prototypes & Feedback
Further Learnings & Reflections
A Trojan Horse within the RCA
- Massive impact
- Admin + IT were unaware of extent of issues
- Encouraged culture of asking for feedback within admins
- HR department commissioned research & workshops by RCASD students
- Prototypes encouraged a sense of belonging & possibility in incoming students
In depth presentation
Quote from ART AND DESIGN 100 Years at the Royal College of Art
