Design Thinking
Design thinking includes the process of researching, prototyping and evaluating service systems for complex commercial and social problems. It’s about redefining complex problems and engaging experimental approaches to broaden thinking and better understanding users during project stages. Empathy, along with a critical mindset, is crucial for examining issues, generating ideas and developing strategies.
Industry Feature Project
Who is the Ocean Purpose Project?
Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) is a Singaporean social enterprise dedicated to solving the ocean plastic crisis through innovative solutions such as converting plastic waste into fuel, developing bioplastics, and promoting behaviour change. Founded in 2020 by Mathilda D’Silva, OPP is rooted in the Pasir Ris community. Mathilda’s personal experience with a water pollution incident that led to autoimmune conditions inspired her to create a platform for unique projects aimed at addressing the very issues that affected her health.
OPP’s goal is to drive ocean conservation and plastic pollution prevention through disruptive and creative projects with a massscale impact. The organisation combines sustainability with sports, music, entertainment, marine research, and behaviour change initiatives— an approach that reflects Mathilda’s diverse background and passions.
Intention Behind the Project
As designers within the NCP Program, we sought to engage with and understand the Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) through the humancentred design thinking process. By using this iterative process and gathering ethnographic research, we not only began to understand the organisation, its values, and its intentions but also how Singaporeans perceived OPP and interacted with their natural environment, especially the ocean.
Our mission was to interact with people and develop a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding sustainability and ocean conservation in Singapore. This understanding aimed to help propose ways to bridge the gap between how people perceive and exist in their environment and create behaviour change needed to protect and save tomorrow.
