09.
Final Designs
Instantly view a map of pods located near you.
Bottom menu bar to quickly access app features.
Select your pod and begin the rental process.
Select how long you want to use the pod and how many people are using it.
Review your rental selection.
Review your order and confirm payment.
Link your Fly Delta account and pay using your SkyMiles.
Select an alternative payment method and sign up for a subscription plan.
App Finals
Select a package of hours and create an account.
Simple side button click to link your accounts.
Your unique code to enter your pod.
Guided directions on how to get to your pod.
Rate the previous user’s cleaning job
Wifi icon to access LIFI and Bluetooth.
Flip between the Lifi and Bluetooth page.
Learn about Lifi technology before you connect.
Select your devices to connect.
Learn the benefits of connecting to bluetooth.
Select your devices to connect.
Once connected, go straight to your favorite music streaming app.
Code shown in case you need it.
Track your flight so you stay on top of it.
Track how much time you have on the home page.
Click on the home icon to go to home page.
Adjust the pod’s brightness, temperature, hue.
Fluffy is a personal robot that picks up and delivers your food orders.
Locate and order from restaurants in your area.
Receive a code for the robot delivery.
Order receipt.
Food icon to order delivery.
"Hello, I’m Fluffy. Your personal robot assistant.”
The app sends a notification when the Ease Pod and the user's phone are connected. Additionally, after Fluffy arrives, the app notifies the user to input the code.
Final Rendering
Exterior Design
Interior Design
Opportunity Area
08.
Reflection
As the UX Researcher and Product Lead of our collaborative team of four, we embarked on a mission to address the unique needs of remote workers on-the-go through our project called 'Ease.' We conducted extensive research to pinpoint the challenges faced by this demographic. We aimed not only to identify the main issues but also to understand the underlying reasons behind them.
Our collective efforts went beyond research and included brainstorming sessions and ideation workshops to conquer the challenges at hand. My dual role as a designer and prototyper allowed me to translate insights into tangible solutions, resulting in the creation of 'Fluffy,' a product tailored to the specific needs of our target users within the 'Ease' ecosystem.
Throughout this process, we held fast to a user-centric approach, letting the feedback from our target audience guide our decisions. This experience underscored the power of empathy in design and the iterative nature of creating solutions that truly resonate with our users. 'Ease' stands as a testament to our collaborative, user-focused approach in providing a rentable private workspace that encapsulates customizability, convenience, and the comfort of working from home for remote workers on-the-go.
08.
Logo & Brand
Development
Final Logo & Branding
For our branding we wanted to combine the themes of comfort and productivity. We chose a rounded, lowercase logotype for that feeling of “ease”. Our pods are hexagonal to symbolize community and collaboration which we reflected in our logo. Blue tones represent calmness and order, while purple represents creativity–emphasizing our mission to bring productivity and comfort together.
Logo & Brand Design
User Testing
07.
App Prototype: Paper Model
Experience Prototype: Desktop Walkthrough
VR Pod Testing
We 11 gathered users to test the different interfaces and interactions of our app. Using a Lo-fi paper prototyped allowed us to quickly swap out ideas and create new ones from the users’ perspective while they were still testing. Even at a Lo-fi stage, users seemed excited about our product.
We also wanted to test the physical aspect of renting and going to a pod. We also tested the feasibility of food delivery. We gave users a scenario: they are flying to LA from Savannah with a layover in Atlanta. They arrive in Atlanta and have three hours to kill and they could really work on their presentation. They come across an ad for Ease in their terminal.
In addition to testing our app, we tested a lofi version of our pod through VR. Users were very excited about the layout of the pod and could definitely see themselves using it. They gave feedback on aesthetics, layout, and functionality of the pod.
Testing Feedback
Feedback on the app highlighted the need for a more effective navigation bar, increased incentives for device connection, and simplified user interactions. Users found robot routes challenging in busy areas but appreciated the app's clear layout and the 15-minute warning notification. Suggestions included push notifications outside the app and an immediate food ordering feature, with overall positive feedback from frequent travelers.
Regarding VR, users favored minimalist, warm tones but expressed concerns about distracting colored lights and potential difficulties in cleaning the carpet. Positive aspects included the non-sterile office feel, a well-received kitchenette, and an overall personal touch. Suggestions encompassed stocking snacks in the kitchenette, an adjustable table for varying heights, and an unexpected perception of the VR space feeling larger than anticipated.
06.
Personas
The Broker
The Sculptor
The Hermit
"I can't do Wednesday at 5pm. How about Friday at 12pm?"
"I initially liked my idea, but I think yours works a lot more effectively."
"Sorry I couldn't answer your call, if it is a real emergency call again or 911."
*voice message*
Goals Related
to Product
Motivations
Needs
Struggles/
Paint Points
Tech Attitudes
Key Behaviors
Trusts technology to help them stay on top of things
Uses a seamless tech ecosystem
Open to using new tech if it will help them
Has several virtual and in-person meetings throughout the day
Stays in the loop
Enjoys being social and involved
Finding collaborative/private space for meetings
Finding independent space to focus
Finding convenient space
Doesn't want to waste time or opportunities
Values social life
Talking with people from different backgrounds
Wants to be efficient with time
Expects an accomplished agenda every day
Wants a disturbance free environment
Sound proof environment
Wants a customizable space
Needs high quality WIFI
Tech Attitudes
Key Behaviors
Goals Related
to Product
Motivations
Needs
Struggles/
Paint Points
Excited to try new tech
opportunities
Uses a variety of programs/apps
Uses tech for inspiration
Curious for new things
Social but values alone time
Multitasker
Fluctuating workspace
Active throughout the day
Tries to find ways to create collaborative work
Finds ways to incorporate hobbies into workspace
Tries to be collaborative with others while respecting others work ethics
Finding a space that accommodates individual and team work
Sometimes distracted by people/coworkers
Struggles with workspace consistency
Values free time for hobbies and interests
Interested in learning new things
Enjoys collaboration among coworkers
Customizable space for teams and individual
Hands-on work areas
Incorporating break/lounge areas
Tech Attitudes
More hesitant to adapting to new tech
Loyal to specific tech
Spends a lot of time using tech
Key Behaviors
More introverted and individualistic
Socially awkward
Doesn't post much on social media
Prefers to work alone
Likes to be self reliant and not depend on others
Motivations
Values personal space
Values alone time
Dedicated to their work
Struggles/
Paint Points
Overwhelmed with crowds
Struggles with work/life balance
Gets distracted easily
Goals Related
to Product
Having their own private space to work
An environment that fosters productivity according to their needs
Working without others interrupting
Needs
Proper equipment
Personally controlled space
Convenient access to food without interrupting work
User Personas
Archetypes
Affinitization
04.
After completing our secondary and primary research, we organized the ideas and opinions we received into common themes.
Work Preferences
AI-Home Issues
Individual Struggles
Technology
Define problem space
03.
During this phase, my team and I conducted primary research and a Cultural Probe.
Primary Research
Online Survey
Observations
Our team visited 5 different coffee shops around Savannah to observe a variety of environment spaces and local workers.
8 participants
We talked with 8 people working in these environments.
Age Range:
62.5% between 18-22
12.5% between 38-45
25% over 45
We reached out to a variety of fields to receive feedback on their work environments.
We wanted to understand what workers are looking for when they are looking for an ideal workspace.
Survey Insight
Workers want to see more:
In their work environments.
Interviews
After receiving general insights from our survey, we took a deeper dive into understanding the day-to-day for remote workers through a series of interviews.
16 participants
3
8
5
Impromptu
Outside based
workspace
Home based
workspace
We have compiled the insights from interviews with the candidates and organized them for your reference.
Culture Probe
We designed a diary study for participants to document their work day for 3 days.
Our goal was to gather insight into work space setups as well as how productivity and mood changes throughout the day.
Workers who go to outside environments want the flexibility of collaborative and private spaces.
Workers who stay at home need a defined boundary between work and life.
Working from home can be distracting due to multitasking with other home activities, kids, pets, and phone usage.
Remote workers often struggle to find suitable workspaces outside their homes due to different work styles and preferences.
Remote workers enjoy the flexibility of creating their schedules, but they must manage their work responsibly without a boss figure to oversee them.
Remote work can hinder team culture by causing disconnection, lack of collaboration, and loneliness.
Remote workers are comfortable with technology but hesitant to adopt new ones like robots. They want to be in control and fully understand it.
Limited space at home often means workers don't have a designated workspace, leading to the use of compromised spaces like dining tables, couches, or beds. This can negatively impact work/life balance.
Distractions
Uncontrollable
Outside Spaces
Isolation
New Technology
Compromised
Home Spaces
Pressure to be
Productive
new technology
workspace security
convenient plugs
work break spaces
single seating
cozier seating
Observation insights
6/8 people
Like to listen to music to help them focus
3/8 people
Struggle with WIFI when they work in an outside environment
5/8 people
Prefer to work in larger spaces so they can work in a private space
7/8 people
Look for comfortable seating when finding a place to work outside their home
6/8 people
Are intrigued with the idea of a robot serving them food
75% of survey takers work outside of their home.
Over 85% of survey takers look for comfortable seating, good noise level, and cleanliness when finding an ideal work space.
90% of survey takers are open to using new technology.
The Lifestyle of Remote Workers - We want to specifically focus on workers who are at home and understand the benefits and struggles they experience working in their space.
Initial Ideation
01.
Our Solution
Ease offers private work pods for rent that can be customized through a mobile app. The pods are located in various environments and provide a distraction-free home-like work space.
How might we create an outside environment that brings the convenience of working at home?
How Might We...
Ease is a rentable private work space for remote workers on-the-go that offers customizability, convenience, and the comfort of working from home.
Overview
00.
Remote workers face more pressure to be productive and struggle to balance work and home life in a productive environment due to increased demand for workspaces outside their homes.
Problem Statement
Crafting a customizable, private work pod experience for individuals on-the-go, ensuring productivity in any environment.
ease
Fall 2022
10 Weeks
Product Design
Product Lead
Human Computer
Interaction
Figma
Haley Andre
Fiona Tan
Daniel Aguirre Riofrio
My role:
Scope:
Tools:
Team:
UX Researcher
Rhino
Keyshot
2023 Indigo Design Awards 🏆
In our secondary research, my team and I aimed to identify key trends and challenges shaping the remote work landscape.
We conducted research on remote working spaces worldwide, exploring their features and prices. Through this competitive analysis, we made a conscious effort to avoid similarities and ensure our offering stands out as unique.
BeacHub
Room
Urban Office
Betahaus
Archipod
B. Amsterdam
Secondary Research
Competitive Analysis
02.
Flexibility and Remote Accessibility:
Many job holders in the United States express a desire for remote work, with 58% stating they can work remotely at least part of the time.
Work-Life Balance and Distraction Mitigation:
The lack of separation between work and home, as mentioned in the research, can lead to employees constantly checking work email outside of working hours.
Balancing Work and Personal Life:
Consider incorporating a section that acknowledges the challenges mentioned in the research regarding the blurred lines between work and personal life.
Key Findings
Recent research shows that 58% of US employees (92 million people) now work remotely, allowing for geographic flexibility, asynchronous work, and extended hours. Although beneficial, remote work has its challenges such as constant work communication outside working hours and increased distractions. Nuanced solutions are required to balance these challenges and benefits.
Overall Finding
Insights
05.
After organizing the affinitization process, we uncovered key insights.
How Might We...
How might we create an outside environment that brings the convenience of working at home?
How might we normalize robots into people's daily work flow?
How might we create an environment that fosters different types of work styles?
After gathering insights and formulating POV statements based on common themes, we developed 'How Might We' statements to address our pain points.
Workspace Flexibility and Collaboration:
Adapting to new technology is welcomed if it enhances daily efficiency.
Lack of reliable options hinders their ability to consistently meet work needs.
Workers seek versatile outside spaces for both collaboration and privacy.
Challenges of Working from Home:
Working from home leads to distractions and compromises work/life balance.
Limited suitable outside workspaces force workers to use compromised home setups.
Isolation and a lack of team connection are common challenges without collaborative spaces.
Technology and Mental Health Struggles:
Overall, finding suitable and reliable outside workspaces remains a challenge for workers.
Mental health is impacted as there is increased pressure to be productive in varied work environments.
Workers face struggles with WIFI connections in outside environments.
Thank you for reading!
Curious to explore more projects?
