Collab
A virtual office platform for coworkers to remain social activity during COVID-19
User Research, UI Design, Animation
Timeline
June 8- June 26, 2020 (3 weeks)
My Role
In a team of 3 designers, I did user research, stylized illustrations, and animation.
Tools
Illustrator, Figma, After Effect
Brief
In early 2020 a pandemic spread across the world and changing life as we know it. Many companies and businesses had to either close or have their employees work from home. This wasn’t an easy transition for most companies or their employees. Employees had to adjust to a new environment, new schedules, and new ways of communicating.
We were asked to discover how remote coworkers are facing and or adapting to the changes and challenges, and design an distinguish experiences for them.
Overview
Due to the spread of COVID-19, coworkers have to stay at home and are not able to keep usual social activity as in the office. Partnered with Bitmoji, we designed COLLAB, a virtual office platform, users can create and customize their avatars as Bitmoji and check the team member´s availability. They can also make chit-chat with quick and easy voice messaging and reactions to simulate communication during normal physical social activities.
01. Research
30+ Resources
Articles, forums, interviews, and statistic reports were reviewed.
3 Insights
We discovered 3 insights and convert them into design opportunity.
10 Interviews
Remote workers from 3 continents and 8 countries were interviewed.
1 Main Issue
60% of the remote workers have difficulties about communication.
They miss the days of working in the office because the atmosphere makes them more convenient for team communication.
Remote workers are tired about communication through online meeting tools, slacks, whatsApps...they are looking forward a new way to communicate.
Those remote workers who have more family responsibilities cannot follow the routine working hours, so getting to know their availability is hard.
“How might we improve the communication between remote workers who no longer are in an environment of visual cues and convenience?”
02. Concept
COLLAB
A virtual office that brings all the office vibes no matter where you are.
03. Design Principle
04. Design Process
Service Blueprint
Wireframes
User Journey / Emotion Curve
Color pallet and typography
05. How it works
Bitmoji
Create your Bitmoji character and customize Desk.
Voice Messages
Chit-chat with quick and easy voice messaging. The notification is represented by a flying paper airplane towards the receiver, meanwhile the Call-to-Action button appears next to the message sender.
Status
Switch status to control your avatar´s presence. Check if your coworkers are available or not by looking to see if they’re at their desk.
Send Reactions
Not only voice messages, they can send reactions to simulate the contact during normal physical social activities.
Moving through “the office”
06. Conclusion
As difficult as this pandemic might change the traditional communication, we now understand that remote workers are missing the vibes at offices. Partnered with Bitmoji, we designed a virtual office, users can create and customize their avatars, check the other coworkers´ availability. They can also make chit-chat with quick and easy voice messaging and reactions to simulate communication during normal physical social activities.
We believe that it will be a good way to increase the teamwork productivity and sense of companionship between coworkers during this special period.
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