ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Shifting Shap3s is a forward thinking and innovative tech startup tackling the challenge of plastic waste in the 3D printing industry. Our mission is to offer innovative user-centric solutions that make a strong contribution to the innovative growth of different communities around the world and to facilitate the recycling and recovery process of plastic on a community level. We stand for outstanding user-experience, sustainable design, inclusion, and collaboration, and for creating an atmosphere where everyone, including the team and customers, feels engaged and valued.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The goal of this project is to define the best market for our product and gather data about potential customers’ situation, needs, and pain points through qualitative research and interviews as well as to on-board 10%–20% of the interviewees and have their preliminary interest in purchasing our solution in writing. Through this project, you will be able to practice and improve skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, adaptability, problem solving, and critical thinking among others.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

• Conducting research and building a list of potential customers to contact and set up interviews with
• Updating the existing questionnaire or create a new one
• Contacting potential customers from the list you prepare to arrange interviews and/of follow ups
• Setting up and running online interviews
• Meeting potential customers and interview them to understand their needs and level of interest
• Transcribing the responses during the interviews
• Qualitative research data analysis
• Data visualization for communicating the results to product development and marketing teams (e.g., list of requirements, list of keywords, etc.)
• Prepare a letter of intent template
• Communicate product values to bring customers on-board
• Bring some of the interviewed people on board by having them sign the letter of intent
• Track the team’s progress and adjust the approach if/when needed

IDEAL ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note appropriate projects can accommodate most students, regardless of field of study or experience. We may not be able to fill these roles exactly.

• Project manager/facilitator
• Communicator to arrange interviews and do follow ups
• Interviewer
• Interview facilitator to conduct research and take notes
• Interview observer
• Data analysist and visualizer

FINAL PROJECT DELIVERABLES:

• Complete 60 interviews with potential customers (3D printing businesses, educational institutions with 3D printers, and other users) and provide recordings and transcripts.
• A complete project data package that includes the analyzed and visualised outcome of the interviews
• 5–10 letters of intent signed by potential customers

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS YOUR PROJECT COULD ACCOMMODATE?

5