Translating an ambiguous problem into an AI product for 2.5M+ drivers
2025 Summer UX Design Internship Project @ Volvo Group
CONTEXT
Volvo Design Studio wants to innovate and lead the industry with tech innovation but isn’t quite sure how or where to go next…
At the beginning of my internship, my mentor gave me a lot of different choices for my internship projects.. He even said I can do whatever I want!
FIELD STUDY
Cool, where should I start? I’ve never really looked at the trucks… I wonder what it feels like to drive one…
With the help of my co-worker, I was able to ride in the truck for a couple of hours on the road and experience what it’s like to be a truck driver
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Wow, that was a cool experience, but do all drivers face the same problems?
So, I decided to do more research, are these problems common for other truck drivers? Does the industry come up any solutions for it?
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
What did I find through research?
Volvo’s branding & mission
“Leading in innovation. By people, for people.”
Volvo Smartwatch
why smartwatch?
Anytime, Anywhere
Smartwatch can do what your other devices can’t because it’s on your wrist. Smartwatch keeps your hands free. It is always on hand, always ready. See, even the Volvo Group’s president Peter has a smartwatch…
“Driving a Volvo truck is really fun. There is so much smart technology in the truck to help you on the road! It makes 9 hours of driving feel so easy!”
From Curiosity to Clarity: Designing B2C expereince at Volvo Group
During my 12-week internship at Volvo Group, I felt like I was learning something new every single day: new ideas, new perspectives, new ways of designing! Here are some of my learnings:
Embrace uncertainty in the design process
My project was extremely open-ended and broad. Of course I panicked at first, unsure about the direction, unsure about the solution. But I learned to trust the process, stay curious, and accept the uncertainties that come with early-stage innovation.
Adapt your story
Storytelling is essential when presenting work and advocating for your design. Interning in a studio where most designers are industrial designers, I learned how to adapt my storytelling, framing the same idea differently depending on who I was speaking to.
