Time
4 weeks
Context
Solo/Personal Project
Role
User Research, User Interviews, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Problem
Students WANT to be outside, but weather conditions are too extreme
The University of Miami, located at the bottom of South Florida, is exposed to year-long summer weather conditions. Students love to and want to be outdoors. However, the extreme weather conditions in Miami pose challenges for students who need to study or relax outdoors on campus. The lack of suitable outdoor environments forces students to seek refuge in air-conditioned buildings, limiting their study location options and potentially hindering their productivity and well-being.
Solution
Giving students CONTROL over study environments
The development of a smart outdoor cooling system that incorporates a mobile app allowing students to control their OWN outdoor working environment…
Zone Mapping
Discover real-time information about cooling zones on campus
Use an interactive map to identify and navigate to the most comfortable spots for your outdoor activities
Personalized Cooling Preferences
Set your preferred cooling preferences, such as temperature range and airflow strength
Easily manage and edit your preferences and track your cooling zone status
Timed sessions for an eco-friendly approach
Secure
Easily scan QR codes to connect to a cooling unit
Link one device at a time to ensure YOU are in control
White Paper Research
Heat NEGATIVELY impacts learning
Starting with white paper research, I looked at multiple studies and found that there is a positive association between short-term exposure to extreme heat and negative impacts on mental health and ability to learn. A research study done by the Harvard Kennedy School found that:
“…students’ achievements fell by 1% on exams of a year’s worth of learning for each additional degree Fahrenheit in temperature”
Understanding the Problem
Students would spend more time outdoors if there were HEAT ACCOMODATIONS
I surveyed 101 students and found that...
93.1% of students want to enjoy the outdoors in Miami but...
54.5% of them stated heat/humidity affect their energy throughout the day
28 students wrote that they'd spend more tim outdoors if there were heat accommodations
User Interviews
What do CURRENT and PROSPECTIVE students have to say?
I conducted interviews with 5 students who have spent more than a year at UM and asked questions like:
Did you know how hot and humid it was going to be when you picked this school?
Are there resources on campus you can’t use often because of heat and humidity?
If there were more options of cooling outdoors would you be willing to be outdoors more often?
I conducted an interview with a university tour guide and asked questions like:
What is the most common question prospective students ask during your tours?
How often is heat or humidity brought up during tours?
Are there any personal experiences relating to the heat or humidity you want to share?
Key Findings
101 survey responses and 6 interviews later…
Finding 1
Students felt that the heat and humidity in Miami were far more intense than they had originally expected when they chose this school and have seen it affecting their focus, studies, and ability to learn.
Finding 2
Many students are from the Northeast and chose to attend school in Miami to enjoy the year-long summer weather. However, they found themselves spending less time outside and unable to use certain outdoor resources (like gliders to do their work in) due to the heat.
Finding 3
Students feel that the air conditioning indoors is too cold, in contrast, most of the time. This also affects their studying, but they feel it is a better option than doing work in the heat outdoors.
The Persona
Let’s meet Lauren…
Early Design Concepts & Solutions
How might we… create an environment that encourages students to consider doing their work outdoors?
Before arriving at the final solution, I brainstormed a few preliminary ideas:
Pavilions
Climate-controlled study pods
Smart cooling system
In the beginning, many of the ideas I thought of involved providing shade, whether that be through the construction of pavilions, study pods, or planting more trees. However, after writing down all the pros and cons of each idea, I realized that implementing pavilions, pods, or new trees on campus would be a lengthier process and create even more problems in the long run. In the end, I decided that the most effective solution would be a smart cooling system that students could control.
Designing a SOlution: The Development
Originally catering towards 3 MAIN FLOWS
Navigation
2. Setting preference
3. View energy usage information
Designing a Solution: Iteration
REVISING the 3 flows
After testing with students, I gained valuable insights that led to major changes in the 3 flows.
“It would be helpful to be able to view available units in a list view in addition to the map view.” - a student
Flow 2 now catered to the task of connecting to a cooling unit via QR code. Flow 3 now catered towards setting and managing preferences.
“I don’t really see myself NEEDING to look at energy use info or using that feature at all.” - a student
Final Screens
Reflection
What I Learned
Iteration: Through the process of iteration, I've come to understand the importance of taking the time for trial and error in order to achieve the best possible outcome. I've learned that errors are not failures but stepping stones towards growth and an even better end product!
User Testing: I've realized the significance of user testing in shaping the direction of a design. It's crucial to understand what users truly want and need, as their input is instrumental in creating user-friendly solutions. Reflecting on this, I acknowledge that more time dedicated to user testing would have been beneficial in refining my designs. I now have a clearer understanding of the user testing process and will incorporate it more effectively in future projects.
