Count It, Solve It, Colour It (2022)

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Redesigning Experience of QR Ang Bao

source: https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2021/reduce-use-of-new-notes-this-lunar-new-year-to-support-the-environment

Millions of $2 notes are issued for Lunar New Year and destroyed after the festive season when the public deposits them as the notes exceed circulation demand.

source: https://mothership.sg/2022/01/dbs-cny-qr-code-gift-cards/

As such, DBS has been actively encouraging the public to adopt the DBS QR Gift Card.

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgqkgUXc3I8

While it may appeal to some...

source: Mothership's Facebook and Youtube comments section

... many of us are not feeling it.

The previous image may seem like we are cherry picking, but here is the breakdown of the comments. Apart from the fact that most of the comments are irrelevant (LOL), those who chose digital cite similar reasons that places like China, Hong Kong, Taiwan are already using e-angbao. Majority of those who are neutral expressed that "any angbao is a good angbao", but a handful of them would still prefer physical angbao.

Through Q&A with our small group of followers, it revealed that not many of the "angbao givers" are handing out digital red packets. As for those who have received a QR Ang Bao, they have only received 1-2.

As we have experienced first-hand the low adoption of QR Ang Bao within our families, and we wondered how we could make QR Ang Bao more appealing and here are some of our attempts:

01 Count It

The opening of red packets has always been something that we look forward to after Chinese New Year visitings.

We love the tactility of these crisp, new notes — especially when it comes to counting — which is a physical interaction that we cannot experience when we are given a QR Ang Bao.

What if QR Ang Bao could be counted similarly to notes?

The QR note comes in the same size and similar colour as the actual note.

4 pieces of $2-size QR notes indicate that you have received $8 from the giver.

QR notes come with "This Way Up" symbol to suggest the correct arrangement.

When arranged correctly, the receiver of QR Ang Bao may scan the QR via DBS PayLah! app.

02 Solve It

Upon receiving red packets, we know that the monetary value is readily accessible and the money is immediately ours to keep.

This, in a way or another, creates an instant gratification whenever we receive red packets even though we may have “earned” them through showering the elders with auspicious greetings.

What if QR Ang Bao comes with a layer of challenge to unlock its monetary value?

The correct QR code in low contrast is placed underneath as reference to solve the scrambled QR code

The unscrambled QR code resembles an old Chinese coin with square hole.

When unscrambled correctly, the receiver of QR Ang Bao may scan the QR via DBS PayLah! app.

03 Colour It

During Chinese New Year visiting, the opening of red packets to find out the amount we have been given is typically deemed as disrespectful.

With QR Ang Bao, the value we have been given is hidden until we scan it. For the curious young minds who like to take a peek at everything, we could create a point of interaction with QR Ang Bao while keeping the value a mystery until the parents scan the QR code.

What if QR Ang Bao could become a colouring activity for the kids during this festive season?