Project Management
Oversaw development, weekly client presentation
Research & Analysis
Conduct secondary primary research, including desk research,
market research, competitor analysis, literature reviews
& user interviews
market research, competitor analysis, literature reviews
& user interviews
Design & Prototype
Ideation & Wireframing of screens for mobile and web
and development of design guide - components,
text styles and icons
and development of design guide - components,
text styles and icons
User Testing
Usability tests, QA testing with the development team
throughout all the sprints & delivery of the final design
to the stakeholders
throughout all the sprints & delivery of the final design
to the stakeholders
Toolstack
Figma, Blender
OfficeMix is an innovative collaborative working tool that aims to bridge communication gaps in siloed organisations. The product offers a digital and physical experience that allows users to customise their relationships and interactions within office spaces, to encourage collaboration and strong working relations.
The main goal for this project was to reframe interactions and modify complex systems within the work environment, to foster direct and connected communication for improved collaboration in siloed workspaces.
A chain of miscommunications and
a lack of collaboration affecting workflows
a lack of collaboration affecting workflows
OfficeMix was a contractual project with our client DK-CM, they’re an architecture agency based in London that works closely with the GLA and London borough councils. They came to us with a problem. That problem was that they needed help in resolving communication gaps between them and the London borough councils with which they work. This particular issue stemmed from a severe lack of communication and collaboration between different departments within the councils our clients worked with, which impacted our client's ability to deliver efficiently because of the delays in reaching the right people.
Navigating workplace interactions:
a journey through mind maps and
body-storming
a journey through mind maps and
body-storming
Mindmap
Building upon our experimental exploration, we engaged in mind-mapping exercises to connect our personal experiences with workplace communication. This introspective approach allowed us to imagine creatively the complexities and nuances of communication within office spaces. By drawing upon our desktop research, and discussions with DK-CM, we laid a solid base of research based on empathy.
Bodystorming
We explored experimental techniques to engage with the concept directly. One such approach was body storming, where we employed non-verbal communication to guide one team member, Anushka, with her eyes closed using taps on the shoulder to indicate directions. This exercise offered a broader perspective on workplace communication, enabling us to contemplate links to our own experiences and the intricacies of office culture, and creating in-situ situations which would enhance our basic understanding further and inform our interview questions.
Understanding inner workings
of councils: unveiling office dynamics
through user interviews
of councils: unveiling office dynamics
through user interviews
In our ongoing project, we recognised the importance of gaining first-hand insights into office-siloed cultures. Collaborating with our partners at DK-CM, we had the opportunity to interview placemaking officers occupying different positions and levels within organizations. These interviews proved to be immensely valuable in unravelling the diverse dynamics of office silos, shedding light on the intricacies of interactions, hierarchies, and their counter-reactions.
Negatively impacted work relationships
One of our interviewees, a member of a specific London-based council, revealed the profound impact of office silos on their work environment. They described a "cold atmosphere"(1) and the "difficulties"(1) in fostering strong co-working relationships due to financial motives that hindered open communication.
Exclusive collaboration
Another interviewee emphasised the "exclusivity of collaboration"(1), restricted to specific teams, creating an "unapproachable"(1) environment. What struck us was their observation that age played a role in exacerbating the reluctance to seek help from more senior co-workers, fearing they would be burdensome and impede their colleagues' limited time and financial incentives. These insights highlighted the complex interplay of factors within office silos, affecting communication and collaboration.
Navigating ethics and confidentiality
Conducting interviews on sensitive topics required careful consideration. As I was primarily conducting these interviews, I adopted a more casual approach than what would be usually expected in user interviews in our industry, establishing a comfortable rapport with our interviewee. This approach proved effective in eliciting an honest perspective on their work culture and impressions. While I had conducted interviews before, the ones for this particular project felt slightly daunting, as I had to show flexibility and high receptivity to the interviewee's level of comfortability– due to the risk of revealing sensitive information. Fortunately, the interviews I was conducting provided extraordinarily rich insights.
(1). These are original excerpts from our interview transcripts. For privacy, I haven't included the full original transcript, as requested by our interviewees.
Workshop outcomes
Complementing the interview questions, we organised a series of small workshops to further delve into the experiences of our interviewees. We invited them to write a love letter and a breakup letter to their council. This exercise provided a unique opportunity for our interviewees to express their emotions and sentiments towards their workplace. The letters acted as a creative outlet, allowing our interviewee to convey their honest thoughts beyond the structured interview format.
In-situ interviews and workshops in
public workspaces
public workspaces
To further inform our interviews, and ensure that our product could be used in a variety of different organisations, not just councils, we also carried out field user research at the Barbican Centre and three We Work locations across the city of London to interview passers-by and individuals who work in organisations and strongly siloed companies. We also carried out a series of workshops for volunteers, which also proved to be very insightful in informing how we could ensure the adaptability and accessibility of our product across any organisation and company.
Our team gathered insights from nearly 30 separate participants.
Outcomes on
user pains & needs
user pains & needs
- Participants tended to favour indirect interaction with strangers over face-to-face interactions in public settings
- Participants found that informal interactions in personal relationships can positively enhance work collaboration and performance. Examples from our excerpts noted that "getting coffee"(2) or "eating lunch"(2) together motivated their performance.
- Participants often find themselves hesitant to approach others due to the appearance of "unavailability"(2)
Ideation &
rapid prototyping
rapid prototyping
Guided by research and a fresh perspective, our ideation journey explored unconventional solutions for revolutionizing collaboration. Inspired by the "crazy 8s" technique, we initially envisioned using sushi conveyor belts for office communication but later considered a zipline alternative, which proved unfeasible. Undaunted, we circled back to ideation, stumbling upon an intriguing concept during "crazy 8s": an office matchmaking platform. This idea was generated by myself and resonated with half of the group, leading us to gather additional feedback. After thorough consideration, the office matchmaking concept emerged as the most promising, demonstrating the greatest potential for success.
OfficeMix became a customisable dial alongside a digital platform that allows users to match with colleagues based on their preferences of interaction, collaboration or work conditions.
Storyboarding, testing and programmed
testing demos with users
testing demos with users
Once the concept was imagined and developed further, its feasibility at a low fidelity level was tested through a series of storyboarding, played-out situations, and the building of prototyped demos.
User journey and flow
My team and I conducted testing throughout the entire iterative process: with our peers, friends, and participants collected from surveys to measure the feasibility of OfficeMix and notably developed a more comprehensive analysis of our users' journey from activating their dial to meeting up with their allocated colleague. User flow mapping was essential in creating a streamlined and user-friendly app experience, identifying potential issues, and enhancing personalisation options.
Low-fidelity testing & feedback
- Language and Positioning: Partner feedback highlighted concerns about the term "matchmaking," risking misconceptions of romantic intent or workplace misuse. To align with our vision, we clarified that Office Mix is a collaborative tool fostering professional connections, and eliminating potential misunderstandings.
- Addressing Privacy Concerns: Concerns about visibility into selected modes prompted us to enhance privacy features. After modifications to our concept, users could now selectively share availability with specific individuals or groups, ensuring privacy while maintaining transparency in the collaborative environment.
- Mitigating Dating App Influences: To distance ourselves from dating app influences, we introduced an avatar creation option, removing the potential for bias based on physical appearance. This emphasised a focus on professional connections.
- Enhanced Functionality: Exploring platform mechanics, we incorporated geolocation within the office, akin to apps like Uber. This feature allows users to locate matches across teams and departments, facilitating seamless unbiased collaboration (without indicating any names or photos of the users.
App UI & typographic elements
While exploring different UI options, we had diverse perspectives within our team. I was inclined towards a friendly and casual UI design that aligned with the essence of our project. However, after careful consideration and keeping time constraints in mind, we decided to proceed with a different typeface. Their design featured animated elements that added an engaging touch to the overall user experience. We believed this would capture users' attention and create an immersive environment for building connections.
App concept development
Users would have to download the mobile application on their work devices. The matchmaking feature would then be activated through the physical Dial or on the mobile application itself. Everyone's status would be visible on the
cloud platform for the ability to filter who can see what.
cloud platform for the ability to filter who can see what.
Our high-fidelity app prototype took on a friendlier look, with the use of characters as avatars to evoke a sense of familiarity and casualness when using the app. The UI elements including the typography and layout, are intended to be pleasant and engaging for the users.
High Fidelity Prototype
Nailing down the wireframes, we moved on to a high-fidelity design where we prototyped what the final product would look like in a realistic experience. As part of the programming process, I've had the opportunity to oversee the 3d Printing of the dial and partake in understanding the technical skill so fusing Blender to create the product.
A product that visually signals accurately a user's status
In response to feedback, the final app prototype now features a UI that adapts based on selected modes, while retaining avatars. Colour coding and privacy address concerns raised by DK-CM and I aimed to establish that anonymity and colour coding was an appropriate solution to those valid concerns.
The Dial fosters collaboration by connecting users with similar work modes. Modes include:
Focus Mode: Allows personalized notifications and temporary disconnection for uninterrupted work.
Collab Mode: Signals openness to collaboration, promoting teamwork and project synergy.
Unwind Mode: Notifies colleagues when the user is ready for a break, fostering a relaxed atmosphere.
These modes optimize collaboration, offering users the flexibility to tailor their interaction preferences. The UI seamlessly adjusts to selected modes, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Instead of picking Proxima Nova as a typeface, we voted for a more rounded font and maintained the bright colours that I'd initially picked out in the mid-fidelity wireframes.
User feedback & reflection on refining accessibility components
A user who experienced the app firsthand praised its cohesiveness, stating, "The app is great – it brings teams together seamlessly. If I could suggest one thing, it would be to have an option to reveal profiles in a specific setting. Nevertheless, it's been a game-changer for our office communication." This user feedback underscores the app's success in fostering collaboration while providing constructive insights for future enhancements."
What initially seemed like an intimidating project led us on a journey of self-discovery and innovative problem-solving. By reframing interactions, conducting thorough research, and engaging in experimental approaches, we gained valuable insights into the complex nature of communication within siloed office cultures. Armed with this knowledge, we were equipped to develop a collaborative tool that would bridge gaps, enhance interactions, and foster a culture of effective communication. As designers, we embrace the challenges presented by such projects and look forward to the positive impact our solution will have on transforming siloed office cultures into thriving and connected environments.
