By: Ilaria Scarpellini
Keywords: Work, clear, aware and comprehensive
Design Goal and Interaction vision:
I want the to improve the communication between team members, creating a higher level of comprehension and mood sharing.
I want the team members to be aware of each others’ conditions and be there at the right moment, like the X – MEN.
Research Explorations:
At the beginning y main research goal was that of investigating the effects of computer work on interactions between team members and fin interesting dynamics. After some observation sessions and generative sessions in collaboration with a couple of company I narrow down my research on the dynamics of questions and interruptions.
I tested a preliminary concept of alternative communication on workplace through role playing. I interview the users and gathered their opinions. I then evaluated my final concept in two ways. A first test on 8 people to get an idea of how people attribute meaning to materials in relation to their temperature/texture. A second test with a prototype to resemble the real interaction interviewing the participants afterward.
Design Explorations:
At first I observed the current situation to get an idea of what to focus on. I explored some potential directions then went straight to the idea of introduce a new means of communication. At first my uncertainties where about what to communicate and how to do it.
I first focused on light feedback associated with a computer interface. Then I thought about a minimal solutions involving just interfaces. Then I did a step back e beginning to reinforce more and ore the idea of focusing on the product. The evaluation study deeply influenced my last decisions about the final outcome.
Final Design:
CONCEPT: The idea is to create a means to improve the quality of the communication between colleagues. The product aim is to enhance the connection between team members providing tactile feedback.
PRODUCT: The object is interactive and can be approached in different ways by the user. It is sensitive to touch and movement so to detect people’s level of concentration. At the same time it provides information expressing them through tactile feedback as vibration and warmth.
INTERFACE: The interface allows the users to exchange questions attributing priority to them. The software manages the output in relation to the amount and priority of the questions considering also your concentration level.
