Case study: Furniture shifting itself?Don’t worry. Here is my case study to help you out.
Well, this is a common problem (at least in India), which people ignore with their dialogue “arre chorh, chalta ae”. Trust me, its very annoying when people try to sit on their comfy sofas (or spots) and it shifts itself out of nowhere. So with the solution I have for you, say sayonara to this👋.
Introduction
Recently, I got enrolled in a UX Mastery program at GrowthSchool, and as part of the 1st week, we in a group of 10 were given a design thinking project. Each candidate was given a part of the house, well, I got Living room as my topic. As per the project, I needed to interview, at least 4 people, as my users and ask them about their current experience. Puzzled, yes? I was too. I was confused what problems might one face in a living room. But this perspective got changed at the end of the project. So, lets move on and take everything step by step.
At first, lets understand the design thinking process.
Design Thinking Process
This is a framework which I followed in order to build a product. Right from researching, through generating ideas and building prototype, to finally test it. So, lets start with this journey.
1. Empathize Stage
Well, I didn't get to interview in person 😅, but I did interview 5 users individually through Zoom call. This step forms the base of your design thinking, as you first need to understand who your user actually is, like, what they do, what they love (hobbies, passion) and how they use the living room. So based on this, I framed my first set of questions which are as under. (The questions might sound stupid, but was enough for me to understand the users. :))
1. How often do you use your living room?
2. Can you comfortably sleep in the living room if you feel really tired?
3. Is your living room independent or does it share space with any other room?
4. Are there any charging outlets near your furniture, if yes, are they located at an arm distance from you?
5. Do you feel that there should have been more lightning in your living room?
6. When you watch TV, does the sound fade away with the distance before reaching you?
7. Are you able to work/study comfortably in the living room?
8. What are the shortcomings of the living room which hinders your experience and why?
9. What is your most ideal experience while using your living room?
10. What are your likes and dislikes regarding the living room?
I was afraid if users will tell me about their usage of the rooms, but, to my surprise, they told me everything in a crisp manner. At first, these were the questions which I tried to ask. After interviewing more and more users, I started to improvise the questions so that I can understand them more deeply.
Below are my findings in a summarized way:
Voila, I am officially done with this stage. Now, its time to dive in to the next step: the Define stage.✌
2. Define Stage
In this stage, I framed a problem statement based on my findings, but made it through the user’s perspective. This stage will now drive me to the solution, so a well focused problem statement was to be generated. After brainstorming my head, I came up a bunch of problem statements, which are listed below:
- Problem of space to hold books and other stuff.
- Sound complications from other areas entering the living room or from the living room to other areas.
- Problem of sound fading with the distance.
- Problem of alignment of furniture. Sofa pushes itself if someone sits.
- Problem of relaxation in the living room.
- Problems related to dust accumulation in the living room.
- Problem to endure heat during peak summers.
- Problem of air circulation in the living room.
- Problem of wires which appear to be messy in the showcase.
- Problem of living room not being utilized to the fullest.
You see, these are the problems I need to solve, but first, let’s understand, why these are important to them.
- Users want to introduce storage spaces, so that they can read books while being on their furniture.
- Users want to watch TV without interruption so that they can relax and enjoy the content.
- Users want to properly hear the sound of TV so as to enjoy the content.
- Users want to have his/her furniture aligned, so that it doesn’t push itself back.
- Users want to get inside the house cleaned, so that unnecessary dust stays out of the living room.
- Users want to watch TV in such a way that it does not interfere with the study/work routine of other household members.
- Users want to have AC so that they can endure the heat in peak summers.
- Users want untangled wires set-up in the showcase so that it does not distract the person while watching TV.
- Users want proper air circulation so that they can sit in every corner of the room, hence, fully utilizing it.
Now I have the reasons why users want these problems to be solved. With this, I have a direction for where should I proceed further. Thereby, we can successfully head to the road of Ideate Stage ✌.
3. Ideate Stage
Well, I don't have the superpower to generate an idea like that😂, but I do have the tool which will help me to write my ideas😎. Now, this is the most exciting part, as I have access to create solutions. I kept the problem statement in front of me and began with this adventure. First of all, I jotted down all the ideas which were coming in my mind, using technique called “Crazy 8”. What? Let me explain the term. Crazy 8 is a technique, where we come up with 8 ideas in 8 minutes each. Remember to put even the stupidest idea, which crosses your mind. Now we shall begin. Here is my list of ideas:
- Install AC. (That's very obvious, move further😂)
- Install more number of fans. (Will need to see the layout for all the electrical wires first.)
- Install more windows with nets which can provide more air into the room. (Can give it a try.)
- Increase the number of fins in the fan. (Don’t know if this will work or is this even feasible.)
- Provide a slime like substance on the doorway where the user can clean the shoes and then enter the house. (Not sure about this either.)
- Install a more powerful TV. (An obvious choice, may become expensive for the user and don't know if person wants to even install it.)
- Install speakers to the TV. (Depends on user.)
- Build a slim cabinet which can act as storage spaces to hold reading materials or indoor plants or other such stuff. (Shortlist this idea)
- Build a device such that it stops the furniture from sliding, when a person sits on it. (Sounds interesting, let’s see this one too.)
- Install storage spaces alongside the wall. (resonates with idea no. 8)
- Install more seats such that it serves as a book or notes holder. (Space constraint might be a problem here.)
- Build a slim device which allows the person to sit and occupies less space. (People might find this weird.)
- Build a product which can serve as a multi-function device for stopping the furniture from sliding as well as house some books or magazines. (Sounds good but, looks complicated and will have a lot of R&D)
- Build an assembly which can house a number of seats, which further have a storing space and can be put back together after use. (Let’s see this one too.)
- Modify existing furniture (if possible), so as to utilize hollow spaces in it, which can house storage spaces to hold books or other such stuff. (Sounds great, but user might find this a lot expensive.)
I have all the ideas now, with which I can solve some problems of the users. Let me just set aside the top ideas first.
A. My first pick🥇
B. My second pick🥈
C. My last pick🥉
Now folks, I am officially done with this stage✔. Well, I cannot solve every problem the users might face.🤷♂️ Let me narrow down the above ideas now.
I wanted to do something innovative, which has never been done before. (Lets stick with the vision, don't judge please😅, I might be wrong). Something the user can have within budget and also, it may be equipped anywhere and be safely used.
Therefore, I decided to go for the first idea which is: Build a device such that it stops the furniture from sliding, when a person sits on it.
4. Prototype Stage
This is the stage where I made a prototype for my idea (virtually😎). Hmm, to some level, I did prepare a paper sketch to depict my idea. But first things first, let me give you a glimpse of the prototype.
Perplexed? You might be thinking what is this. Hold on, read the introduction below.
Introduction
The prototype I have made is a square shaped block made of Silicon gel/rubber, which has a depression in the center with some elevated tops on its surface and a super-sticky adhesive at its bottom surface.
How does it work?
The depression will serve for the placement of the leg of the furniture/sofa/chair. The elevated tops will enhance the grip so as to hold the leg in place and provide a gap between the bottom surface of the leg and the surface where elevated tops rest. Also, this might enable the person to align their furniture when shifting to other places in the same room as well. With a super-sticky adhesive at its bottom, the device will stick to the floor and hold it, which in turn will also, keep the furniture/sofa/chair in place.
Reason behind choosing the material
The material being Silicon gel/rubber will promote a non-slippery medium for the leg to sit on its surface, thereby, avoiding any slip of the furniture, while the person sits on the furniture/sofa/chair.
How can I be so sure?
Well, you are right. We all have seen rubber stoppers and silicon gels which are used daily in our lives to stop slamming of doors or hold window panes to the structures respectively. With both materials, I aim to combine these properties to ensure negligible movement to furniture/sofa/chair on its own.
The device will be customizable and can be tailored as per the requirements of the person through 3D Printing. With this device, I aim to enhance the user experience of the person who is trying to sit or relax on the sofa and simultaneously, ensure safety of the person.
Here are some more pictures of the prototype with the furniture:
But, what is an idea if that cannot be tested. So, without further a do, lets head to the testing stage🐱🏍.
5. Testing Stage
No no, we are not going to blow anything like this here🤣. Well, this is the stage where we, finally will know if this prototype works or not, but that will be done by collecting feedbacks from the users. Yes, you read that correctly. So, I did a group call and presented my prototype to the users and collected the feedback.
Also, to actually know, how much the users liked my idea, I asked them to rate my prototype on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the worst idea and 5 being the best idea.
The following is the feedback which I received from the users.
User 1: Idea and conceptualization is really nice and well depicted. (User rating: 4.5/5)
User 2: It is a great prototype, can’t wait for it to come in the market. (User rating: 4/5)
User 3: It is a good prototype. (User rating: 4/5)
User 4: It is a very good prototype. (User rating: 4.5/5)
User 5 was not available for review
The concerns addressed by the users:
Although users liked the prototype a lot, but there were some issues which the users addressed. First was the use of adhesive, they think that removing the device from the floor might cause marks which may be difficult to remove while cleaning the spot or trying to relocate their furniture/sofa. Second issue was how durable will this be and what about the cost scenario.
Conclusion
Congratulations for making it this far✨😊. Now, the only thing left is, the key takeaways which I gained through this project.
Key learnings:
- How to talk to people and start a comfortable conversation.
- How to frame questions to gather more information from the user.
- Finding problems which users might not know about.
- Identifying key areas where the solution can be provided to the person.
- Renouncing the perfectionism attitude.
- Embracing the ambiguity behind the prototypes.
- In order to get your problems solved, you need to sometimes ignore the tiny issues which might come when implementing the solution.
- Trust your first instincts, most of the time, you will find these are the most valuable and usable ideas.
With this project, I have realized that perspective of users is very important to shape a product. It is because of their needs, designers brainstorm and come up with solutions which improves user’s experience.
And with the above paragraph, I rest my case. I hope you had a good read. Thank you for your time. Catch you later, folks😁.
