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Pollen

A hybrid workspace system that adapts to different group sizes and shifts between individual and collaborative work

Summer 2021

Client

Populus

Industry

Education & Workspace

Services

User research, Industrial design, UX/UI Design, Branding

An interactive conference system promoting collaboration in a hybrid work set-up.

As remote work emerges into the mainstream workflow. It’s becoming more and more common. How can remote and in-person working improve? Our goal is to reimagine the new 5 day work week where teams working on projects can communicate and collaborate more seamlessly in the new normal.

Vision

We foresee individuals coming back to the physical office for collaboration, education, and socialization, where unexpected ideas and conversations are welcomed.

How It Works

The Pollen Ecosystem

Pollen’s ecosystem bonds in-person and online working experiences without compromising team collaborations, especially for project-based design teams. The board is a central hub for remote and in-office workers to interact and collaborate together. This system adapts to three modes: team meetings, team workshops, and expansion of internal networks.

Product Description

We envision a platform that provides next-level team collaborations while uncompromisingly flexible. At mounted mode, this trio of boards combines and forms a 96-inch creative workspace for teams to communicate and build their projects. Multiple adjustable cameras to help individuals enjoy the best remote experience with facial recognition and most importantly eye-level communications. As well as a studio speaker that can provide all the audio needs for the entire working environment.

Team Meetings

Team Workshops

Expanding Internal Network

"Our company was looking for a unique and thoughtful approach to simplifying the world through the eyes of a child. We are throughly impressed with the Nuri concept and look forward to introducing this new product to the world." -Jini Zopf

User Research

We looked into existing interactions between working at the office and working remotely. Each environment had its own set of challenges. When working in the office, individuals are able to collaborate through unstructured settings, allowing for unexpected creative ideas to emerge and stronger social connections, thus resulting in stronger teams. Working remotely loses the socialization factor, but does a great job in documenting work. Though remote work has shown us a greater level of convenience, it’s highly dependent on structure. Though there seems to be an increase in productivity, there has also been an increase in isolation.

We referenced our research from different resources including insights from individuals who are currently working from home and statistical data from Gensler Research Institute. From that research, we determined that the amount of time spent at the office and at home primarily depends on the user’s work preferences. Environment plays an important role in an individual’s productivity.

Branding

We were inspired by the diligence of worker bees when we were designing for Pollen. Similar to how bees fly in and out of the hive to pollinate, gather nectar, and make honey, we see individuals access in and out of the office, collaborating and sharing ideas the same way. We grew the analogy of the office being the hive where worker bees come to work collectively.

Modes

We looked into the moments where employees come together and collaborate. We designed our system to adapt to these three modes.

Team Meetings

We wanted to consider how the interactions would play out in quick tag-up meetings. Workers would only need to see an overview of the work that they do

Employees are able to log in and see an overview of tasks and tools.

Recap

The Team

Ken Chin

Product Design

Charlene Joy dela Cruz

Interaction Design

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