QuizHang is a prototype designed to address the issue of isolation among remote workers. While traditional office environments offer spontaneous social interaction, remote workers often experience loneliness due to limited informal contact. QuizHang introduces short, interactive quizzes that pair colleagues randomly, encouraging conversation and collaboration. This fosters social connection and aims to increase hedonic happiness during the workday.
November 2023 – January 2024
(3 months)
Moderator, Prototyping, Analyst
Figma, Axure, Wireframing
We followed a participatory design approach, where users were actively involved throughout the process. Each phase was designed to empower participants to share their experiences, co-create ideas, and evaluate solutions collaboratively.
Participatory design is a methodology where users are not just end-consumers but active co-creators of solutions. It originated in Scandinavia in the 1970s, rooted in efforts to democratize workplaces and give employees influence over the tools they used. Unlike traditional UX, which often involves users mainly at the testing stage, participatory design engages them throughout the entire process. This leads to deeper insights, stronger ownership, and solutions that are more likely to be adopted. At its core, it is about designing with users rather than for them, making the process more inclusive and effective.
Observation, Field notes
Problem mapping
Impact analysis diagram
Digital prototype, User evaluation
Participatory Design is an approach that directly involves stakeholders in the design process. This project was conducted within a course of the same name and began with the task of identifying a domain relevant to the Global Goals. We chose the domain of remote work, aligning with Good Health and Well-Being and Decent Work and Economic Growth. Three individuals with extensive remote work experience were invited to participate throughout the design process.
To form an initial understanding of the domain, we conducted contextual inquiry by meeting each participant in their home workspace. We observed their routines, tools, and environments, taking detailed notes. These observations were synthesized into an affinity diagram, revealing key themes such as ergonomics, mental health, and digital fatigue.
With a clearer picture of their situation, we invited participants to a Future Workshop. The workshop began with a critique phase, where participants listed every challenge they faced while working remotely. In the fantasy phase, they imagined ideal solutions without constraints. Finally, in the implementation phase, ideas were grounded in reality. Two concepts stood out: a virtual workspace and a collaborative online quiz.
"I miss the spontaneous chats by the coffee machine. Can we recreate that somehow?" – Participant B
We wrote scenarios based on the participants’ ideas and asked them to draw storyboards during our third meeting. These were merged into mutual storyboards that clarified their shared vision. Participants then sketched interface suggestions, which we digitized using Prototyping on Paper. They tested each other’s ideas and selected features for a joint iteration. An impact-effort matrix helped us prioritize components for high-fidelity prototyping.
"Seeing my sketch turned into a feature made me feel like part of the design team." – Participant B
We created high-fidelity prototypes in Figma based on the participants’ blueprints. While both concepts were prototyped, the quiz was prioritized due to participant interest. The interactive prototype demonstrated the main flow and visual style. Participants appreciated the result but suggested the quiz category presentation needed more spontaneity and fun.
"The quiz idea felt fun and light, something I’d actually use during breaks." – Participant A
The final result was QuizHang, an interactive prototype designed to offer remote workers a spontaneous and social break. A small, dismissable window invites users to play when their schedule allows. Two random colleagues are paired and begin a video call before the quiz starts. Each game includes three questions, and answers must be agreed upon collaboratively. After the game, players see their results and a leaderboard adds a competitive twist. The prototype was praised by participants as a realistic and exciting solution to remote work isolation.
"This feels like something that could actually make my workday more enjoyable." – Participant C
During this course, I improved most in communicating directly with users as I prepared, facilitated, and refined workshops. I explained to the users all the different steps and methods to use, and I also encouraged them to discuss among themselves,highlighting the points they raised by actively listening and taking notes. Involving stakeholders directly in product development seemed to significantly contribute to creating a product by users, for users. Participatory design turned out to be a really effective way to bring empathy and inclusivity into the process. It wasn’t just about gathering feedback, it was about letting users shape the product with us, side by side.