Maybe there is a way to make it less studenty. For example, a storage system by Ikea or Target to be targeted toward high school and college students. Don’t make it for a creative person, make it for a teenager in general and then think about ways to customize (for the athlete, for the the creative, for the computer dude…)
If #1 is an in person co-design session with teenagers it could be interesting. It will yield some good photos for your presentation. It has to be very structured and know you will not got any final ideas out of it. It is more a way to ask questions and get raw input.
#2, you need to talk to students and get specific. Luckily you have your target group all around you. Create a survey and start asking questions. Specific questions that will give you data. Such as:
- age
- major
- state/country of origin
- do you work sitting or standing?
- Do you work in your room, at the library, common space, in the quad, other (write in)?
- What are the three most important objects you must have to get your work done?
- Do you listen to music while you work?
Stiff like that.