The winning solution offers an alternative way to repay student loans taking into consideration engagement in studies, academic excellence and socially responsible actions
During last week, UniCredit, in cooperation with Eastwest, hosted DesiGenZ, a 2 day workshop to design the user journey of the future, by working with the bright minds of Generation Z.
The event involved 32 top students, 16 coaches, 12 judges, 7 UniCredit top managers and 5 communications specialists. Together, under the supervision of Erica Young, director at Anthemis, industrial designer with extensive experience in developing and manufacturing products for international markets, the students created customer experience maps based on the design thinking approach and CX theory.
The participants were selected from a long list of applicants from international universities all across Italy, majoring in a diverse set of focus areas from economics and management through to law and engineering as well as marketing and even medicine. The students were grouped into 8 teams so that each team would have a diverse set of knowledge and skills. The teams were also encouraged to exercise their creativity and able to work with customer experience coaches from across the CEE Division and UniCredit.
During the event the participants learned about empathy and context mapping theories, persona creation and user testing. They also had the chance to put their ideas to practice in a real life environment, directly interacting with banking professionals. The results of the groups' work were evaluated by a competent jury of UniCredit CEE and Group Top Management.
Four teams received monetary prizes, from a total prize pool of 11,500 EUR. The winning team "World Wide Z", was awarded with 5,000 euros for their alternative solution to repay student loans, taking into consideration their engagement in studies, academic excellence and socially responsible actions. Prizes were also given to the groups "MonstarZ" and "ReZet it", who ranked 2nd and were awarded with 2,500 euros each. The group Zephyrwon 3rd place and was awarded with 1,500 euros.
DesiGenZ acted as a platform for a constructive and creative brainstorm and collaboration between UniCredit and GenZ, providing invaluable help in the search for a better customer journey in the banking industry and beyond.