Amit Lavie
Miri
Year: 2023
Service Design project, HIT
Designers: Daniel Vaknin, Hen Rolbrud, Shir Zheavy, Myself.
Are traditional admissions tests truly serving design faculties — and the talented applicants they aim to attract?
At the Holon Institute of Technology, we set out to rethink the admissions and selection process for the Industrial Design Department. By stepping into the applicants’ shoes and understanding their journey, we created a process that not only evaluates potential more effectively but also strengthens the connection between future students and the faculty from day one.
How Does It Feel to Apply to a Design Faculty Today?
Through interviews, conversations with faculty and prep-course leaders, and insights from online platforms and applicants past and future, we mapped the pain points and bright spots of the current admissions process - insights that shaped three key personas guiding the redesign.
Meet Tamar - our applicant persona
Built from the insights of dozens of interviews and data we gathered, she represents one of the typical applicant profiles entering the admissions process.
Here’s what the admissions journey looks like through her eyes:
Open day,
in person attendance
Creating portfolio.
"Where I even start? What considers to be good?"
Editing portfolio.
"How to organize it? what should I tell about the works?"
registration and preparation >
First Stage Online >
What We Discovered
1
In-person interactions matter
Applicants value personal connections during the process.
2
Lack of guidance
There’s no reliable, accessible consultation to support them.
With those insights in mind, we designed a new Applicant Journey. Here are its key highlights:
Open Day
The Open Day will feature short, engaging “Pecha Kucha” style talks by faculty and alumni, to inspire applicants and give them a clear view of the world of industrial design.
Goals:
-
Build connections - Foster networking and meaningful personal relationships.
-
Gain insights and advice - Access professional perspectives and informal guidance from students and faculty.
-
Share and learn together - Exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow applicants.
-
Meet Miri - Get introduced to and registered for Miri, the app that guides applicants through every step of the admissions process.
Nice To meet!
Miri App
What Miri App Brings to Applicants
-
Support at your fingertips - Instant answers and guidance from a smart virtual bot, anytime you need it.
-
Personalized guidance - Professional tips and informal advice to help you confidently navigate every step of the admissions process.
-
Everything in one place - Tutorials, information, and resources gathered into a single, easy-to-access feed.
-
A portfolio made simple - Build and showcase your work on a familiar, Instagram-style profile that feels intuitive and effortless.
Let's get going
Launch event
In the Launch event, Applicants are invited to the workshop for a short "hands-on" session, leaded by the faculty members.
Goals
-
Build confidence - Get familiar with an exam-like situation in a light, positive environment.
-
Offer support - Provide guidance and assistance with the home exam when needed.
Let's get to work!
In person exam
Goals
-
Reduce stress and save time - Help applicants avoid the chaos of losing and searching for items caused by inefficient workspace use.
-
Create a smooth transition - Provide a few minutes of casual conversation with a student between the exam and the interview, helping applicants shift their mindset and show up at their best.
Break a leg!
Interview
Goal
-
Show respect and professionalism - Ensure applicants feel valued and understand they’re applying to a design faculty with exceptionally high admission standards.
Unfortunately, Tamar didn't make it to this year, but she will try again!
(and use Miri for sure).
Tamar
The investor.
"I must to get in this year. Being a designer is my dream, I'll do everything needed.
Bar
The optimist easy going.
"I truly hope to get in. But Whatever will be, will be. Worst case, I'll try again next year."
Ran
The talent from Eilat city
"Can be very interesting. Still nut sure I want it".
Made it to second stage
Interview went well!
"I didn't know how to work with metal sheet, and I was under stress. I used regular scissures".
Get Called to interview room. "My heart sank"
Get a no.
preparation >
Second Stage In-Person Attendance >
Waiting >
Answer
3
Unclear expectations
The department’s requirements and goals aren’t fully understood by applicants.
4
Underused resources
Applicants often don’t know how to make effective use of the services and materials provided to help them succeed.
