Shaping the
next era of work.
Overview
Throughout an intensive, 10-week capstone course, I developed crucial skills of creating innovation and design briefs, marketing plans, and forecasting models. I gathered and organized important data for planning, tracking, and executing my design project. Additionally, I explored design planning methods, phased deliverables, and audience impact while demonstrating personal leadership and innovation.
This course, a combined practical implementation of our Design Management learnings, shaped our experiences in managing fast-paced projects, from concept to execution, all while carefully documenting each stage of the process.
Role
Design Researcher & Strategist | Visual Designer
Duration
10 Weeks (2025)
Team
Solo Project | 1 Mentor
Skillsets used
Design Research
Industry and Market Research
Business Strategy
Insight Translation
UX Research
Visual Design
Porter's 5 Forces
Netnographic Research
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Data Visualization
Interviews and Surveys
Visual Storytelling
Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition Canvas
and More...
Understanding the problem
Millennials in the U.S. are quietly reshaping workplace culture - but not always in visible ways.
Increasingly disengaged, many are embracing “quiet quitting,” where they do only what’s required and no more. This stems from dissatisfaction with poor leadership, limited career growth, lack of recognition, and disconnection in remote or hybrid work settings. Despite valuing purpose, autonomy, and flexibility, many Millennials feel unseen, undervalued, or stifled within traditional corporate structures. And if organizations fail to address these gaps in employee experience, they risk losing a vital, innovative segment of the workforce.
56 Million
Millennials make up the current workforce which is 35% of the entire U.S. workforce.
55% Millennials
are not engaged (aka Quiet Quitting) while 16% are actively disengaged at work.
$30.5 Billion
is the annual turnover cost of the Millennial employees to the U.S. economy.
Trickling effects
I mapped the impacts of quiet quitting on businesses. This visual reflects how this trend significantly impacts organizations by leading to higher turnover rates, reduced employee retention, and decreased job satisfaction.
After conducting some desk research, we established our overarching question that needed to be addressed for this project and that directed the further course of action.
How might we leverage design thinking and management strategize and create inclusive and empowering work environments for Millennial design professionals?
"Financial success is dependent on empowering, leading, and retaining talent now and for a future of sustained success."
-Tommy Breedlove
Speaker, Writer, and Business Coach
My approach
A detailed, step-by-step research process was followed that continued through the course of the 10 weeks. This included data collection (interviews, survey, informal discussions), data processing (using FigJam), data analysis (building archetypes, empathy mapping, creating a value proposition canvas, etc.) and finally, data synthesis (insight translation, brainstorming and ideation).
My goal for this approach was to understand the nuances of this generation's mindset, behavior patterns, and expectations when it comes to their career and job.
Defining the final solution
As each idea that was generated and mapped on the matrix was different in nature in terms of formal and informal strategies for companies, it was crucial to take a look at all these ideas from a high-level, bird’s eye view.
And as a result, we leaned towards the concept of introducing a new business that revolves around consulting organizations about the broader theme here that is - improving the Employee Experience (EX) for Millennial Design Employees.
The solution
The insight hub for all things EX.
The EXLab is a specialized consulting agency dedicated to enhancing the employee experience within design teams by recognizing the diverse professional personalities and values that shape creative work environments.
With a deep understanding of how different generations and mindsets contribute to a thriving design function, The EXLab provides organizations with tailored solutions - including workshops, toolkits, and interactive modules - to foster engagement, collaboration, and long-term growth.
We at The EXLab are not just improving Employee Experience - we’re shaping the next era of work.
Employee Experience Surveys
Our surveys at the EXLab are structured assessments conducted at regular intervals - pulse surveys for real-time feedback and quarterly surveys for deep-dives into workplace trends.
The EXLab Academy
An interactive learning platform offering company culture and management training modules. Our Academy provides tailored education on culture-building, conflict resolution, and people management.
Workforce Consulting
Our generational workforce consulting service provides customized coaching
and strategic guidance to help companies navigate the diverse expectations and working styles of multigenerational teams.
EX Benchmarking Reports
EXLab's Benchmarking Reports provide companies with comparative insights on
their overall employee experience (EX) performance against industry standards
and competitors.
EX Trend Forecasting
Our EX Trend Forecasting uses advanced analytics and industry research to predict emerging trends in employee experience, workplace culture, and workforce expectations.
EX Playbooks and Toolkits
These are plug-and-play resources designed for HR teams to implement EX strategies quickly and effectively including best practices, engagement frameworks,
and action plans.
Curious to know the details?
Are you interested in knowing more about the final solution and how I strategized a business around it? Click on any of the links below to view specific stages of this extensive project! Shaping the future of Employee Experience for every generation.
The foundation document
A detailed compilation of this capstone project including the research, ideation and final outcomes.
This document illustrates my holistic approach to the identified opportunity space for innovation.
©2025 by Tanvi Lakdawala. All rights reserved.