Intertwi­ngle

Following our research at the Barbican Centre, we found that our workshops were dependent on our own assessment of people's availability to answer our questions. As a response to this we were led to looking into a Dial that allows individuals to customize their relationships and interactions within the office space. The Dial would have different modes or settings, such as collaboration, focus, coffee, and chill mode, representing various preferences and moods that people may have during their workday.

Our main areas of focus were listed as below:

• Creating a tool that is fun and engaging to use to aid in bridging communication gaps.
• A digital and physical prototype that merges well within the workspace without directing changing an organisations structure.
• A tool that creates lasting professional relationships based on solidarity and common goals.

By turning the Dial to their desired mode, individuals indicate their current preference for the type of interaction they are seeking. For example, if someone sets the Dial to collaboration mode, it signifies their openness to working together on projects or seeking collaborative opportunities. Similarly, if someone chooses coffee or chilling mode, it indicates their desire for a more relaxed and social interaction.

To facilitate meaningful connections, the Dial's matching feature pairs individuals who have selected the same mode. This creates an environment where people with similar preferences and moods can connect and engage with one another. For instance, two colleagues who are both in collaboration mode may be more inclined to work together on a project or brainstorm ideas.

Users would have to download the mobile application on their work devices the matchmaking feature that can be activated through the physical Dial or on the mobile application itself. Everyone's statuses would be visible on the cloud platform for the the ability to filter who is able to see what.

Colour‐coded modes

To visualize the matching results, the Dial incorporates a colour‐coded and vibration system through a portable object. Each mode is associated with a specific color, When individuals are successfully matched with someone in the same mode, the portable object lights up with the corresponding color/vibration, providing a visual cue that a match has been made.

Time constraints

It is important to consider time constraints within this system. Users may have different availability or time windows for engaging in specific modes. For example, they may set the Dial to collaboration mode for certain hours of the day and switch to chilling mode during breaks. This ensures that individuals are matched with others who are available and receptive to the selected mode at the same time.

• Medium sized companies ~50 employees, multiple departments.
• Co-working spaces.
• Suitable for companies with high staff turnover rate
• Universities or Colleges.

Here was the feedback from Week Five's round‐table presentations:

• Our design needed a ‘home’ to go to.
• To think about where our design could be kept, how it would be used and how we will test it.
• To think about how many times our design was to be used and what could go wrong!
• To get in touch with other people and test our design ideas out.
• To put into thought making a film as part of the final deliverable that shows who, how and what.
• Where did our design live in the real world?

Gardner, H.K. (2016). Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos. [online] Google Books. Harvard Business Review Press. Available here.

Michel, J.W., Tews, M.J. and Allen, D.G. (2019). Fun in the workplace: A review and expanded theoretical perspective. Human Resource Management Review, 29(1), pp.98‐110. Available here.

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., McMillan, R., Switzler, A. and Md, E.G. (2022). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. [online] AccessEngineering | McGraw-Hill Education - Access Engineering. Available here.