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A divider pad and app system that improves user productivity through timing and external cues, while minimizing distractions by separating the user from outer distractions. Multiple feature sets become available to the user depending on the orientation the pad is used in.
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Context
Information Architecture
IACT 370 Fall 2020
timeline
10 Weeks
SEP 2020 - DEC 2020
team
Taylor Primuth
Madeline Esper
Jiyoung Lee
Jonathan Sanchez
contribution
Research Lead
Copy Writing
User Research
The Problem
People are working and sleeping in the same spaces, diminishing the separation between working spaces and relaxing spaces.
Since the start of COVID-19, 42% of the US workforce is working from home full time. This is causing a large blur between a person's workspace and relaxation space, leading to an increase in stress and a decrease in sleep.
The Solution
Altri was made with the modern day worker in mind, being versatile enough to fit any work space. The Altri fold is portable and convenient; so you can work anywhere anytime. Altri can be used horizontally as a desktop- with magnets and a comfortable work surface, the fold is suited for adaptability in workspace size and location. Finally, Altri can function as a partition between you and the distractions of open workspaces
The App
Custom Workflow
Altri helps everyday workers find the best work flow based on their answers during on boarding. Altri analyzes your answers and matches with you a work flow that works best for you.
Productivity
Altri promotes focus through the use of external cues that let the users know when they have reached their goal and it is time for a break. This prevents burnout and overworking that affects not only the users work but also mental health
The Fold
The Altri fold is a four panel foldable smart divider. Equipped with a light notification system the Altri Fold has customizable LED lights on the upper portion. The fold is designed to be portable, small enough to fit in a backpack or be carried like a laptop, being able to fit any work space anytime anywhere. Altri can be used horizontally as a desktop - with magnets and a comfortable work surface. These magnets are to ease in workspace transportation, allowing the user to conveniently fasten papers and fold their Altri to easily move to their next location or change its orientation.
The Altri fold can also function vertically as a partition between you and the distractions of your workspace. When the pad is active it will be communicating with our partner app to track your productivity helping you monitor work and break times based on your personalized work flow.
The Altri fold provides a physical barrier between the user and outside environmental stimuli, creating a sense of privacy and personal space. This helps everyday workers create a separation physically and mentally from their living space all while lower outside distractions.
Our Process
We began our research with an online survey that received 169 responses. The goal was to understand how workers are adjusting to remote work and identify the challenges they face. Insights from the survey helped shape our design direction.
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To deepen our understanding, each team member conducted cultural probes with remote workers aged 20 to 45. The probes included a short packet of questions and drawing prompts, designed to uncover recurring environmental aspects of their home workspaces.
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Next, we conducted remote user observations via video calls, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants set up their cameras and went about their typical workday while we observed. This allowed us to identify patterns and understand what users value most in a productive remote work experience.
Key Take-aways
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Enjoyment of space and privacy - Users enjoy having large amounts of space to work in but also value privacy and productivity.
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How might we create a workspaces environment that promotes comfort and productivity?
Importance of environmental factors - Users value having their workspaces in an area that offers different environmental factors than the rest of their home.
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How might we create and environment that is ideal for work but offers non-distracting stimuli?
Frustration of staying stagnant - Users grow tired of staying in a stagnant environment for the majority of their work days.
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How might we allow users to easily seamlessly move workspaces both inside and outside of the home?
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Lack of structured workflow - Users value having structure but find it difficult to keep their work and personal lives separate while working from home.
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How might we promote the separation of work and play to improve users health and overall productivity?
User personas to represent our users
User journeys to represent our users' experience
Product Creation
Site Mapping
Design Language
System Interaction
Branding
Prototyping
The Fold
Creating a physical and rendered version of the Altri allowed us to conceptualize it in a physical space as well as in final production. Due to COVID-19, this was many people's first time isolating and working at home, so considering wide rangers of home environments was crucial in the physical creation.
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The App
Because Altri was not just about physical presence but also productivity, it was important to integrate the physical design in the best way for the user's maintained productivity and comfort. Allowing users to track their progress, cater the experience to their preferences, and help them acclimate to COVID-19's restrictions were our top priorities.
