Zhixuan Gu

Service design for sport Socialization

How can service design help engage young adults in social sports?


Project Abstract

This research project explored how service design methodologies can increase engagement of young adults aged 18-28 in social sports and activities within university settings. Literature reviews highlighted sports' benefits for improving social integration, communication and leadership skills in this age group, but lack of research applying service design in this context. Primary research including interviews, journey mapping and design iterations identified key insights around desired experiences, motivations and barriers to participation. These insights informed the design of a mobile app solution featuring intuitive activity browsing, integrated club and chat functions, and cohesive online/offline experiences tailored to young adults' needs and preferences. Findings demonstrated service design's effective application in enhancing community-building and sustained engagement leveraging sports as a facilitator. This project demonstrates the potential of service design to foster community, friendship, and engagement among young adults.

Fig. 1 – RUSU Club App Screens Overview: A visual representation of various screens from the RUSU Club app

Fig. 2 – RUSU Club App Store Preview: A preview of the RUSU Club app on the app store

Fig. 3 – RUSU Club App Detailed Views: Close-up views of the RUSU Club app, highlighting specific features