Integrative research and development

Campus workspace

Sarah, Chloe, Mandy, Onur, Betty

Topic choice

● Interest: often times students don’t have enough comfortable workspaces where they can work either by themselves or in teams. These spaces are usually crowded or do not have sufficient facilities, such as bathrooms and food services

● Access: as New School students we would have access to all nearby buildings and facilities in order to research how these spaces can be improved

● Bias: We might feel this way because we have not discovered all of The New School’s working spaces. Exploring the different buildings would give us perspective as well as discover what these spaces lack and how they can be improved

● Proposed methodology and approach○ Fly on the wall, ethnography, observation, interviews, photography of spaces○ Prototyping floor layouts

Discovery research

Discovery research: observation

Discovery research: observation pictures

Discovery research: observation pictures

Discovery research: observation pictures

1. Where do you choose to work on your school projects and assignments most of the time?

2. For your major, what kind of supplies or equipments do you need the most? (computer, art supplies,

conference table etc.)

3. Do you often need to be at school to work?

4. If you do, where do you usually go to? i.e UC library, Arnold Hall computer lab

5. Have you ever had trouble finding a workspace on New School Campus?

6. What would be the reason for that? (ie. all rooms are all booked/all computers are all occupied

7. Do you always have an issue with it or during a particular time like the finals?

8. Do you have clear information of knowing where all workspaces are located?

9. If you could improve on the workspaces at the New School, what do you want to advocate for? (More seats at

the library? Easier system for booking rooms? etc.)

10. What do you wish there could be added to existing workspaces? (food vendors? comfortable chairs?)

11. Any other complaints or needs that you want to address regarding New School workspaces based on your

experiences?

Discovery research: interview

Observation facts and statements

● Not enough collaboration space in the UC library● Hard to find working spaces for all students● Open workspaces can be quite disruptive● Fashion and fine arts majors usually need big spaces to work in● Many students prefer to work at home because of the lack of space● Other students like BBA students work on their laptop and don’t need as much space, but need

seats and charging areas● Probably less than 300 public seats in the UC total● UC library on 6th floor prohibits drinking and eating, but many are spotted doing so

sneakily● People prefer sitting alone, thus usually occupy two chair spaces or a table by themselves● The outlet for charging on the side is not long enough for some chairs● Outlet on the side with no seat around● Chairs are facing each other, but can be awkward for individual users who don't know each

other● Pairs that do sit as a group cannot talk too loud either, thus hinders the group design

Summarized observation and fact statements

● Students sometimes choose work spots that allow food and water or do not follow rules on prohibitions of food and water (in the UC library), workspaces are sealed and there is not enough ventilation to allow for food

● Not enough work spaces generally, students are forced to work from home, less than 300 seats in the UC available, especially full during midterms and finals weeks

● Power outlets are far from chairs, many students need power for laptops● Many workspaces are disruptive, not enough quiet spaces● On the other hand, there are not enough isolated collaboration spaces where groups can

come together without being disruptive to others● Students working alone take up entire tables or spaces, decreasing the total capacity

for the area● Printing areas are crowded, not enough printers

Problem statement

There are not enough spaces for students to work where

there is power available for portable devices.

Design ideation

Design ideas

1. Portable charging devices for rent2. Dropping power outlets from the ceiling3. Charging lockers / shelves4. Extension cords (available in every power outlet)5. Portable tablets for rent6. Charging mats for tablets and mobile phones7. Establish a charging corner in every classroom

What-if technique

● What if all students had tablets instead of laptops● What if all classroom tables had chargers● What if you don't have to plug anything in your laptop to charge it● What if you could give out emergency power to students● What if you could access all your work files through the cloud● What if tables had integrated wireless charging units installed in them● What if you could lock your laptop to charge in a locker like system● What if there were batteries available to rent in an hourly manner● What if a competition was held by the school for students to come up

with sustainable energy solutions concerning this case/issue● Etc...

Design iterative focus group & survey

Design research conclusions

Survey● Most students bring laptops and mobile phones to school● Most students have 4 or more classes that require power-requiring devices● The rate at which students run out of battery for their devices varies greatly, most

students run out of battery once a day● Most students prefer to charge their devices in the library or classrooms● Most students want power to be available in as many locations as possible, in particular,

designated study areas (library, 5th floor study area, the event cafe)● Most students disagree that a service to rent charging cables for devices would be useful

and would not be willing to pay for the service● Most students agree that a service to rent portable power devices would be useful, and some

would be willing to pay for the service● Most students agree that a service to charge devices in charging lockers would be useful,

but would not be willing to pay for the service● Several students recommended installing power outlets in all tables in classrooms● Other popular suggestions: charging mats, charging outlets in lockers

Design research conclusions

Focus group● Most students face issues with the proximity of charging outlets to desks● Students don’t bring chargers because they don’t think they will run out of battery● Most students are apprehensive about the renting process and would rather not● Popular suggestion: ceiling or floor outlets at every desk● 5 people gave renting charging cables 3 points● 4 people gave renting power devices 4 points● Points were evenly spread amongst points for the charging locker option

Overall conclusions● The design ideas generated by our team are not exhaustive and should be subject to

further improvement● No one design solution was decided● 2 prototype ideas: desk with charging mats or outlets, lockers with charging outlets

Prototyping

Floor plan for workspace

Charging locker sketches

Table design sketches

Table design sketches

Table design sketches

Workspace app wireframe

Workspace app interactive prototype https://invis.io/U971MS4VP

Usability testing

Interviews and videos

Interviews and videos

Interviews and videoshttps://youtu.be/9J86evbvXWk

Thank you for listening!