Owain Edwards
A strategic designer committed to crafting intuitive tech solutions that prioritise user needs. Known for a highly organised approach, I’m driven by a desire to create seamless user experiences.
A strategic designer committed to crafting intuitive tech solutions that prioritise user needs. Known for a highly organised approach, I’m driven by a desire to create seamless user experiences.
A service that seamlessly integrates into the workplace, offering expert-led workshops and personalised packages for individuals approaching retirement. There is a critical focus on improving health, purpose and community engagement so that retirees are able to experience a more fulfilling and longer retirement.
Click the video below to see how the Sandbox service works!
As employees approach retirement, many struggle with the transition. Without proper support, this life stage can lead to severe declines in health.
In fact, research has shown that retirees are 40% more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases compared to those who are the same age and carry on working (The British Psychological Society, 2018).
With a rapidly aging workforce, there is need to prioritise holistic retirement planning. However, existing services within this space are often focused solely on financial support, neglecting the broader well-being of employees.
This project explored the lifestyle choices of academic professionals nearing retirement to design a holistic solution that promotes longer, healthier retirements.
To start, interviews were conducted to understand behaviour patterns and habits, uncovering potential challenges. Participants then completed creative workbooks to reveal deeper concerns about retirement that may not have emerged in the interviews.
Finally, data from both methods was analysed using affinity diagramming, identifying key themes and challenges. These insights were critical in shaping the development of initial concepts for comprehensive retirement support.
Building on the data analysis, three key insights emerged:
First, retirees often struggle to adapt to a slower pace of life, which heightens anxiety and reduces self-efficacy, ultimately impacting their overall health and well-being.
Second, work-related factors play a significant role in retirement decisions. Dissatisfaction with working conditions can lead to a decline in both mental and physical health.
Finally, the flexibility that comes with retirement empowers individuals to explore meaningful experiences, fostering fulfilment and improving self-efficacy.
These insights helped guide the development of an initial opportunity statement (seen above).
This statement addressed retirees’ struggles with adjusting to slower post-career life and dissatisfaction with end-of-career work conditions.
It guided the design towards creating a solution focused on improving work-life balance, fostering purpose, and supporting well-being during the transition into retirement.
Using the key insights from the research stage, the solution was developed through multiple rounds of ideation and iteration:
The ideation process began with Crazy Eights, generating rapid ideas, followed by a Trend vs Trend Matrix to explore potential opportunities through unique key trends. Two concepts were shortlisted, and a Concept Selection process was conducted to choose the most viable option for development.
The chosen concept, Sandbox, was iterated through Co-design Workshops with end-users, where feedback helped refine the solution. Bodystorming was then used to simulate the user experience, iterating the service using a low-fidelity Sandbox prototype and a high-fidelity app. This approach allowed testing in a realistic setting, ensuring the iterated solution effectively addressed the needs of retirees.
Sandbox’s Three Core Pillars
Sandbox is built on three essential pillars:
Health & Wellness, Purpose Discovery and Community Engagement.
These pillars ensure retirees maintain physical and mental well-being, find new meaning in life post-retirement, and stay actively involved in their communities.
Together, they create a holistic framework that supports a fulfilling and balanced retirement.
How it Works
Users start with an induction session where they’re introduced to Sandbox’s benefits. After downloading the app, they complete a personalised survey to tailor their Sandbox packages to their interests.
The Sandbox team curates the custom packages based on their preferences, and these are then explored during quarterly workshops with retirement experts.
Between sessions, the app keeps the user engaged with wellness tips and volunteering opportunities, offering ongoing support throughout their transition journey.
The Value of Sandbox
Sandbox offers immense value by addressing the often-overlooked emotional and social aspects of retirement.
It helps companies support their employees beyond financial planning, promoting well-being and purpose, which leads to healthier, more engaged retirees.
For employees, Sandbox provides a structured, meaningful transition into retirement, reducing anxiety and improving overall quality of life.
My introduction to UX came from two key experiences during my undergraduate degree: completing a dissertation on the ergonomic redesign of a sports testing device and gaining graphic design experience during my placement year. Together, these sparked my passion for improving user experiences through digital and product design.
I aspire to make an impact in the sports technology industry, focusing on enhancing the viewing and officiating experiences through seamless product design. My goal is to create intuitive digital solutions that transform how people interact with sports.
This degree has provided me with the essential skills to succeed in the UX industry. I’ve equipped a strong foundation to implement innovative design processes, such as agile and lean, that deliver value to both users and organisations.