Ronak Vairamohan
Product Designer
work pod for intimate concentration
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Industrial Design
User Research
Brand Design
This project aims to improve the accessibility of the work pods at the library and make them more resourceful to students.
By gathering iterative feedback from sketch prototypes to mid fidelity wireframes I designed a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions, including a mobile app for booking study spaces, an interactive desk UI that provides access to library resources during research, and a study pod that minimizes distractions to foster focused study sessions
Students lack private, comfortable spaces in the library, leading to distractions and reduced focus. Despite the library's abundant resources, many students fail to explore and use them effectively. This highlights a need for engaging spaces and systems that make resource discovery intuitive and encourage students to take full advantage of the library's offerings
To gain deeper insights into students' usage patterns of library resources and study pods, I conducted a review of relevant research papers and performed on-ground observations within the library. This dual approach helped me identify key behaviors, challenges, and preferences, forming the foundation for the design of Cubicle:
- Transparent windows in study pods compromised the privacy students needed for undistracted, focused study
- The absence of a booking system made it challenging for students to secure pods in advance, relying solely on availability
- Limited awareness of research tools prevented students from utilizing these essential resources effectively
Building on the initial research, I defined the project scope and conducted a survey with over 150 students. This survey aimed to uncover deeper insights into their usage of the current library app, study patterns, and meeting behaviors within the library:
- Students often wait for extended periods outside study rooms due to the lack of an efficient reservation system
- Transparent windows make students uncomfortable, leading them to adjust seating to prevent others from peeking at their screens
- Study rooms are not designed to accommodate group meetings or collaborative study sessions effectively
These findings provided valuable perspectives on how students interact with library resources and spaces, shaping the next steps of the project
After analyzing the current SCAD app and website portal, I developed a site map for a UI extension that integrates seamlessly with the existing app and the study pod. This extension serves as a one-stop solution for managing and booking study pod time slots, ensuring students can secure a focused study environment before visiting the library
I identified three key user personas that represent the primary student groups utilizing the library. These personas offered critical insights into their needs and behaviors, helping to refine the target audience and guide the design direction for Cubicle
She is an animation sophomore student who indulges in versatile projects that depend on books issued by the library
Her attention span is less and the transparent windows act as an invitation for procrastination
She is an architecture majorstudent who likes thecalmness in the library for extended work hours
She has very less awareness about the research resources available at the library needed for her thesis research
He is a film major who depends on versatile group meetings but often lacks spaces that can elevate his group meeting
Current spaces do not allow facilitation of meetings either virtual or in person which strays him away from the space
The mood board for Cubicle combines app screenshots with visuals of the pod design, highlighting its lighting, material selections, and overall aesthetic. This collection captures the project's cohesive design language, emphasizing functionality, comfort, and a modern, student-friendly atmosphere
My initial sketch prototypes laid the groundwork for refining the app's wireframe. I conducted user testing with a concentrated group, gathering feedback that emphasized the importance of features like pod reservation floor schematics. Based on these insights, I developed a low-fidelity wireframe with a well-structured and user-centric flow
There were issues with setting a duration for the pod booking
Replaced the Home Screen with floor schematics for ease of reservation
These screens help manage and update upcoming reservations
The user journey sketches informed the creation of mid-fidelity wireframes, focusing on the app’s Home Screen, Reservations, Profile and Resources page for display on the desk. The mood board served as a guiding framework, influencing interaction placements, app structure, and notification design. User feedback further refined these wireframes, ensuring alignment with user needs and preferences
User Flow for the desk UI
Initial sketch prototypes for the desk UI using Ekoa display
Desk UI wireframes reiterated to show the resources panel and time spent in the pod
Wireframes for the NFC reader
A revised wireframe showcasing the main pages of the mobile app
Cubicle is an interactive study pod designed to improve usability and enhance student focus in library environments
- The branding and color palette, inspired by the mood board, were extended across multiple interfaces, including the desk, NFC reader, and phone app, ensuring a cohesive visual identity
- Montserrat font, paired with alert colors from the mood board, was chosen to create a clean, modern aesthetic that promotes ease of booking and facilitates knowledge assimilation
- Enhanced Library Experience: Designed a seamless ecosystem comprising a mobile app, interactive desk UI, and study pod, transforming the library experience into one that promotes focus, accessibility, and engagement
- User-Centric Solutions: Developed key features such as pod reservation floor schematics and integrated resource access, informed by extensive user testing and feedback, to address the specific needs of students
- Innovative Space Utilization: Introduced a modular study pod design with thoughtful material and lighting choices, providing students with a distraction-free and comfortable study environment.