Context

  • In an in-depth interview study diving into user behaviors and desires, I discovered an unmet user need  in having remote informal interactions.

  • When people attend social gatherings or interact before/after meetings, they often talk in small groups, but 1) can overhear other groups, and 2) have the option to switch to another group conversation when desired. 

  • However, the opportunity to spontaneously switch between smaller groups is not well supported by current remote technology.

Three Features of Prototype: BlendZoom

  • Awareness (real-time video, keywords, sentiment analysis) + switch button;

  • Awareness (real-time video, keywords, sentiment analysis) + invitation;

  • Awareness (real-time video, keywords, sentiment analysis) + virtual drink.

Testing the Prototype

  • Awareness

    • Example survey question: Thinking about the other breakout room on the right that you just saw from the prototype, how much were you aware of what they were talking about? 
      Choose from 1-7: 1=not aware at all; 7= extremely aware

  • Switching motivation

    • Example survey question: If you were in a group conversation in a social gathering, how much would you be motivated to switch to the other group conversation in feature one (switch button)?

      Rate from 1-7: 1= least motivated; 7= most motivated

  • Liking of other group

    • Example survey question: How much did you like the other group?

      Rate from 1-7: 1= least; 7= most

  • Rudeness

    • Example survey question: How rude do you feel it would be if you switched to the other group?  

      Rate from 1-7: 1= least; 7= most

  • Liking of features

See an interactive demo of the prototype here!

Solution: Blending Cross-Breakout Interactions

  • Providing awareness of what is happening in another small group conversation through:

    • Real-time video,

    • Keywords,

    • Sentiment analysis;

  • Options, motivations or excuses to switch groups without being rude.

One Minute Video Introducing Three Features of Prototype

What Did I do?

  • Independently designed end-to-end research, conducted in-depth interviews to explore issues, creative efforts and unmet user desires.

  • Led a team of researchers to create a prototype that facilitates freeform small group conversation switch during Zoom breakout discussion, integrating the interview insights.

  • Conducted concept and usability tests to evaluate the prototype and inform future product design decisions.

Project One: Facilitating Informal Communication with BlendZoom

BlendZoom: Providing the Option to Naturally Switch to Another Group Conversation