IKEA SOMESPACE
User-testing drives design and product development in comprehensive UX project
OVERVIEW
Project Type
MDEI student project for UX/UI design class
Role
Led ideation, conducted interviews with locals regarding furniture use, developed the lo-fi prototypes, and performed user tests with locals and peers
Skills Development
Ideation, product and industry research, lo-fi prototyping, user research, project management, teamwork, user testing, A/B testing
Duration
March 2018 (1 month)
THE CHALLENGE
In a hypothetical world, Ikea is branching out into the emerging market of smart homes and technology-enhanced furniture. SomeSpace is imagined to be an app-controlled smart room that allows for automated stowaway storage and furniture solutions to be stored in apartment walls.
We needed to examine if there was a need for SomeSpace, as well as what features and automated controls people needed/wanted.
SUMMARY
Somespace is a fantastic project to have under my belt as it really pushed me to speak to the community about the need for the product. We interviewed three local residents and asked them about their furniture moving habits - one senior, one middle-aged, and one young adult. We also conducted a wider survey to better understand user needs.
From there, we ideated what kind of product we wanted, how it would work in the physical space, and the types of features the product would require.
Once decided, I led the creation of a low-fidelity paper prototype, and produced two versions to A/B test certain features and how they would appear on the interface. We then tested SomeSpace with four young adults and one senior. This gave us solid feedback and allowed us to produce the high-fidelity prototype.
For a breakdown of each section of the project, please see below for details on our user research, as well as our prototypes.
"Dorm rooms are small - and even smaller when people come over. It would be amazing if we could hide furniture or have a convenient way of configuring it based on needs."
Interviewee, Student
RESEARCH
Methods: Observation, scenarios, interviews
People were re-purposing their furniture - using beds to organize notes, or as an extra table, using desks for storage, etc.
The size and weight of furniture deterred people from reorganizing their furniture
People often lacked space to move around, or to move furniture around
When hosting events, there was a need to increase seating and clear out space for people to mingle
There was a preference for an independent wall-mount solution
Key Goals:
1. Maintain functionality of furniture
2. Move furniture with minimal effort
3. Allow users to store items
4. Keep surfaces to place things
PRIMARY PERSONA
Sera Jousef - Student, Building Tenant
“I would probably use my desk if my bed wasn’t there. Or if there was at least a little more space between the two.”
Sera lives off-campus on the 7th floor in a small apartment. She often studies on her bed, as her desk is covered with textbooks and miscellaneous items. When her friends come over, she finds herself rearranging furniture, particularly seating, to ensure that everyone is comfortable. However, the confined space makes it difficult to maneuver furniture. When she’s not entertaining, she’s bumping into corners, and tripping over table legs.
Key Goals
Maneuvering furniture
Maintaining functionality of furniture
Maximizing space
This persona was chosen as the primary persona because the need was the greatest. Most students and young adults live in apartments, condos, and houses that contain furniture they do not personally own and this can lead to clutter, difficulty in maneuverability due to heavy furniture and cramped spaces, and an appropriation of furniture.
The secondary persona is Rona Sterling, as senior who is active in her community, as her need is also great due to age.
LOW-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE AND TESTING
Methods: A/B Testing, paper prototyping, scenario testing
Features
Highlighted furniture movement over furniture storage - allowed people to drag and drop furniture in the application to address the problem of weight and size
Allowed people to customize furniture layout for specific times and events - furniture connected to obstacle-detection system that allows them to maneuver through the room without incidents
Ikea SomeSpace specific furniture that is connected to the system
Feedback
Concerns about damaging belongings while furniture is moving - what if there's something in the way, what if there's something on the piece of furniture being moved
Configurations were confusing
People liked the simple and aesthetic application
A/B tested number dial versus analog clock option - analog clock was preferred
HIGH-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE AND TESTING
Responding to User Feedback
Save layout - Scheduling feature was removed so users no longer had to navigate through confusing configurations
Drag and drop, rotations - Direct manipulations instead of placement in predefined areas
Wall storage - Included new feature that allows people to store furniture in walls
Hamburger menu icon - Added to moveable furniture to indicate that they can be manipulated and moved
Testing and Evaluation
We gave users five key tasks to complete:
Find the living room
Move the couch
Hide the storage into the wall
Save and name the layout
Apply the layout
Users were evaluated based on their ability to complete each task (effectiveness), the speed at which each task was completed (efficiency), and users' overall experience (satisfaction).
Feedback
Hamburger menu icon on furniture did not make it clear that furniture was selectable
Wall storage colour (grey) made it seem inactive
Wall storage symbol should be added
Dimensions need to be added so people know where things will fit
Move legend to make it more obvious and clear for users
Move preset drop down menu, as it was confusing
CONCLUSION
We created an application that people were genuinely interested in using. We connected user needs and pain points to help produce features within the product that increased the mobility of furniture and gave people the ability to customize their home for their needs. As a whole, this project gave me the experience I needed with problem definition and exploration, creating personas, paper prototyping, user testing and evaluation, high-fidelity prototyping (using Axure), and working in a team of diverse designers.