“Design solution that facilitates an ergonomic, body-conscious setting, while paying particular attention to natural, aesthetic and biophilic features with the intention of enabling the worker to feel in control of their immediate environment.”
RESEARCH
Nomad;
noun:
a member of a group of people who move from one place to another rather than living in one place all of the time.
User interviews
10 professionals from various fields were recruited to take part in our in-depth interviews to better understand the needs of nomadic workers.
We aimed to gather insights on how professionals work in the context of an airport.
We wanted to know what are their working tasks and habits, and how can we help to replicate that in a complex and active environment?
Key findings
"Confidentiality is also a huge issue in crowded public spaces when trying to work."
"Staying connected in the environment near a gate rather than being a 10-minute walk away like the business lounge."
"Siting in a business lounge and worrying about missing the important announcements."
"I feel distracted by people around me, anxious before a flight, checking bags, making sure you have everything."
"When it's just European flights we don't get access to business lounges."
2. Define
Affinity mapping
As a team we extracted key insights from our gathered data, colour coded and sorted them into distinct categories. Using string we connected the correlating insights to distinguish specific user stories and identify habits.
The use of both an overarching story and specific habits affords us to generate ideas for each issue while keeping sight on the bigger picture.
MISSION STATEMENT
"In the airport environment nomadic professionals have increasing concerns regarding confidentiality and their personal possessions. These concerns have dramatic consequences on productivity for the modern worker."
3. ideate
QUICK & DIRTY
After some initial exploration, we quickly honed in on our chosen direction and began a rapid prototyping with the most basic materials readily available. The goal was to understand the basic function of the physical product and the most optimal solution to enhance workflow.
Movement, use of space and surrounding environment were some of the key areas of consideration when working on the initial prototyps.
UI
While developing a more refined physical prototype, we continued to expand on the entire product experience, exploring the possibility of different methods of rental. After considering single use cards, cash payment and subscriptions among others, we ultimately settled upon an application. We chose this method based on the capability of enhancing customer engagement, and simplification of the user flow in a fast-paced setting.
We began to develop a user interface varying in resolution, from sketching through to digital.
4. Prototype
5. TESTING
To test our prototype, we simulated the environment in the incubator building on Maynooth University campus. Here, we asked professionals passing through to take part in a trial of our idea. after observing the participants, we got critical feedback through probative questioning.
WHAT WE FOUND
1.
Users were thought the size of Nomad was very generous. More than they needed. This was a key positive for us as we were considering allocation of airport wall space. We could comfortably make it smaller without affecting experience.
2.
They liked the ability to charge and said they wouldn't mind renting a Nomad in an airport environment for that feature alone.
3.
Users wondered would Nomad users have access to a private WiFi network as public networks are notoriously not secure. This was an interesting consideration for us.
4.
Users didn't like the QR code on the side and said they wouldn't associate accessing the unit with a QR code. We turned to NFC later on.
A WIN FOR THE TEAM!
We experienced some success at this point as we participated and became eventual winners of the international Orangebox & Walls2Workstation Student Design Competition.
We were excited by the opportunity to take part in a brief internship to develop the idea further and act on the insights gained at the point of testing.
Leveling up
STREAMLINING THE SERVICE
Pivotal to the product, the service demanded considerable attention to address the concerns highlighted by the parties involved in Nomad’s progression.
Users
Now was our chance to tackle the worries that were brought forward by the users at point of testing. Particularly in reference to the Application.
Dublin airport’s innovation lab
Queried the locations of Nomad units and wanted to ensure they did not obstruct areas where movement of people was not obstructed.
Orangebox
Focused on the experience of the physical unit, specifically material choice, robustness, aesthetics and design for maintenance.
THE FINAL DESIGN
Moving away from a biophilic wooden texture towards a more contemporary metallic shell with a textured fabric outer skin. Materials such as steel and rubber were chosen for cleanability, structural robustness and fire resistance, while integrating fan hinges and a magnetic locking element improve the quality of interaction with the customers.
SIZE & FIT
After speaking with the innovation lab in Dublin airport, some concerns had been voiced about the size, location and what could be fit into the unit. We saw this as opportunity to refine the design and its capabilities to better suit both the user and the airport infrastructure.
Locating the Nomad close to gates answered the concerns of airport congestion while affording the users a comfortable atmosphere close to where they need to be.
We considered how it fit the user and what tasks could be carried out while using the Nomad service.
SERVICE FLOW
user interface
