My Product Concept Evolution
In Week 1, I explored three possible digital products: a Social Media Template Bundle, an Academic Planner, and a Korea Travel Kit. That stage was all about understanding the market and identifying opportunities where I could apply both design and personal experience.
This week, I shifted into ideation, refining those ideas into clearer product concepts, pitching them, and deciding where to focus next.
From Research to Pitch
Turning research into a product pitch forced me to get specific. Each idea had to stand on its own with:
Problem Statement: what gap does it solve?
Target Audience: who would actually buy it?
Solution Overview & Key Features: what makes it useful?
Competitive Advantage: why it stands out from the crowd.
Revenue Model & MVP: how to launch small but smart.
Breaking my three ideas into this framework helped me see both their potential and their limitations.
Idea Comparisons
1. Social Media Template Bundle
Problem: Creators and small businesses need polished branding but lack time, money, or design skills.
MVP: A mini pack of 10 Canva templates with a short PDF guide.
Takeaway: Strong demand, but the space feels crowded. My version would balance design with strategy, but it didn’t excite me as much personally.
2. Academic Planner
Problem: Many digital planners overwhelm or under-deliver, leaving students without a tool that fits real college life.
MVP: A semester planner with one overview page and a weekly layout.
Takeaway: Relatable and practical, but the market is oversaturated. Differentiating would be tough for a first launch.
3. Korea Travel Kit
Problem: Study abroad students struggle to find authentic, organized resources for navigating Korea.
MVP: A curated starter bundle with packing lists, budgeting basics, and an interactive Naver Maps collection.
Takeaway: Personal, credible, and tied directly to my Postcards from Korea blog. this idea felt unique and personal.
Why I Chose the Korea Travel Kit
As I moved deeper into ideation, the Korea Travel Kit consistently stood out. It blends design with lived experience, addressing a gap I personally struggled with as a student traveler. Instead of piecing together free TikToks, blogs, and scattered tips, students could access one polished, interactive kit built by someone who’s been there.
This project also builds naturally on my existing blog, Postcards from Korea, giving me a ready-made platform to expand into digital products.
Inspiration & Next Steps
Looking at what’s already out there reinforced my direction:
Etsy Korea Travel Guide shows demand but relies on static PDFs.
Creative Market template kit proves how design quality can elevate a product.
My next step is shaping the MVP: a compact but high-value bundle that’s easy to launch and test. Over time, I can expand with add-on kits for food, culture, and budgeting.
Closing Reflection
This week confirmed that ideation isn’t just about what works in the market, it’s also about what feels authentic and scalable for me. The Korea Travel Kit is more than a product; it’s an extension of my design practice and my travel experiences. Moving forward, I’ll be focusing on visual concepts, distribution platforms, and ways to grow this kit into a series of student-centered travel resources.
Hey, I’m Ashley!
I am a graphic & interactive designer passionate about creating purposeful, fun, and engaging design. Whether it’s a brand identity, a responsive website, or a social media campaign, I love connecting ideas with strategy to make work that’s not only beautiful, but effective.
