As a design research-first studio, we believe in making complex ideas approachable and engaging. COMMUTE centres on a personality quiz, an embodiment of observation-based research that invites commuters to find their place within seven unique “tribes” we identified during our research. Each tribe, such as the E-Citizen, Workaholic, or Reflection Gazer, represents different commuter behaviours, turning subtle habits into relatable characters that capture the diversity of Singapore’s commuting culture.

‍

The quiz is available in two formats: a digital version, accessible online, and a physical version at the MRT station itself. The in-station experience takes the quiz one step further, immersing visitors in the design research process through hands-on interaction.

At the exhibition, we created a nostalgic, exam-style quiz experience that’s both analogue and digital. Visitors fill out OAS-style quiz sheets using a marker, selecting answers that reveal their commuter tribe. Once completed, they scan their quiz sheet at a custom-built computer vision scanner, which identifies their personality type and displays the result on-screen in real time. It’s an engaging, tangible experience that lets visitors feel like active participants in the design research process, instead of passive observers.

To complete the experience, each visitor can stamp their quiz sheet with a custom two-part stamp featuring the character of their tribe. This stamped quiz paper becomes a takeaway, a personalised memento that reflects their role in Singapore’s commuting ecosystem. By transforming these observations into a playful, hands-on activity, we aimed to make design research memorable and accessible, sparking curiosity and encouraging participants to see their daily commute with new eyes.

COMMUTE isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to explore design research through simple acts of observation. By focusing on the small details of commuting, we show that design research doesn’t always require sophisticated tools or complex methodologies—it often starts with noticing the little things. This quiz-based experience allowed the public to learn about design research in a way that’s both intuitive and interactive, highlighting how observation can reveal meaningful insights about the world around us.

We hope that COMMUTE leaves visitors with a renewed appreciation for the subtle routines and personalities that make up Singapore’s MRT culture. By demonstrating that anyone can engage in design research simply by observing, COMMUTE bridges the gap between professional practice and everyday experience, showing that design research is as much about curiosity as it is about process.

‍

In the end, design research isn’t just for studios—it’s a perspective for anyone willing to look a little closer. After all, some of the most meaningful insights are hidden in the everyday moments we often overlook.