The world has changed significantly with people and companies having to face new realities in many different areas and being forced to adapt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New life dynamics and radical changes in the concept of work have come with effects on physical and mental health, a need for more balance, new tools and of course, new mindsets.
“How to improve the experience for the increasing number of people with hybrid working patterns”
RSA’s brief on Hybrid Homes is not only expected, accurate and relevant but also a necessity.
Throughout this project, the difficulties experienced by people trying to adapt to the new hybrid work model have been addressed to arrive at a solution that offers a healthier and balanced work-life relationship. An innovative perspective was employed alongside the use of systems thinking and a structured research process. Insights and inputs were gathered from various demographics, professions, industries, and lifestyles. Consideration was given to not only those experiencing difficulties with the new work model but also those who have found benefits and positive outcomes.
This project was realised in collaboration with my fellow MA Design Management peers: Alvise Baia, Carolina Jaramillo, Justyna Urbaniak and Rahf Alkhames.
METHODOLOGY
KEY FINDINGS
Remote Working
Relationships & Couples
After carefully reviewing and analyzing our findings, we employed a variety of tools, such as Personas and Customer Journey mapping, during an in-person workshop to more clearly define the specific problem and target demographic we would be addressing with our solution. By utilizing these techniques, we were able to identify specific pain points within our defined target group and develop a solution tailored to effectively address those issues.
PERSONA
Based on our research, we have identified a specific demographic of couples aged 25-35 who live together and have hybrid working patterns as the focus of our efforts. The data indicates that not only are divorce rates on the rise, but many individuals are also experiencing distress in their relationships.
Studies have demonstrated that individuals in healthy relationships and with stable employment are better protected from mental health issues and overall well-being. Therefore, our objective is twofold: to address the growing trend of marital and relationship conflicts, and to promote healthy relationships and work-life balance in order to prevent mental illness.
Mary
“I wish I could have more vibe and atmosphere switches during the day. I feel the days I work from home are all the same”
“I’m struggling with trying to have a healthy balance between my work schedule, my personal life and the household duties”
Carl
“The thing I miss the most when I stay working from home is having some triggers (like commuting) to be able to know when to start and end my routine”
“It’s a shame when I have spare moments to have lunch or take a break but my partner is still on a meeting or doing household duties”
CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAP
THE CHALLENGE & GOALS
Utilizing the insights gathered and analyzed, we identified the target demographic, including their needs and pain points, as well as their user journey. With this information, we formulated a "How might we" (HMW) statement that served as the foundation for ideation and solution development. This statement encapsulated the specific problem we aimed to solve for our target audience, and acted as a guiding principle throughout the solution-definition process.
Aim :
The aim is to improve not only the wellbeing of the individual partners but also foster a healthy relationship through supporting work-life balance in a hybrid home setting.
SOLUTION
The proposed solution is designed to assist couples in balancing their personal and professional lives by providing a tool that helps them come together and appreciate the quality time they spend together. This is achieved through a smart lamp and mobile application that are specifically tailored to the needs of working couples.
The Mobile Application - L'AURA
The mobile application is designed to access the lamp's settings, connect to the calendars of both partners, and calculate the spaces when they can spend quality time together. It also allows for manual adjustments of the lamp's settings. In addition, the app can connect and share calendar with the partner, create space for quality time, and sync the smart lamp to deliver the perfect atmosphere.
Click on the link below to view the working app prototype on figma-
The Smart Lamp
The smart lamp is an interactive device that is synced with the calendars of both partners. It adapts to the mood and stress levels of each individual, creating the ideal atmosphere for both work and leisure time. One of its key features is that it is designed to be asymmetrical, with two parts of a circle divided at a tilted axis of 23.5 degrees, which is also the angle of the earth's axis. This design is meant to represent the idea that each individual in the couple has their own unique needs and wants, but when they come together, they complement and complete each other's lives.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Design Process
In summary, the smart lamp and mobile application work in harmony to provide an opportunity for couples to understand each other's schedules and create the perfect atmosphere for both work and leisure time. This design serves as a reminder for the couple that they are stronger together and that they can rely on each other to achieve a better balance between their personal and professional lives. It also serves as a visual representation of the goal of the solution, which is to help couples come together and appreciate the quality time they spend together.
