MIT AgeLab+
Reshape Lab Space Experience
Time: 2022 Summer
Team: Joseph F. Coughlin, Chaiwoo Lee, Sheng-Hung Lee
Role: Experience Designer, UX Researcher, Space Designer
Tool: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Prototyping
What is AgeLab+
The MIT AgeLab is a research program started in 1999 to invent new ideas and creatively translate technologies into practical solutions that improve the quality of life of older adults and those who care for them. After the pandemic, the lab wants to resume the on-site visit tours. As a result, this project wants to reshape the lab experience for both visitors and lab researchers in an engaging, delightful, and informative way.
HOW MIGHT WE
Reshape the Lab Area to Make the User Visiting Experience in an Engaging, Delightful and Informative Way?
"
"
Design Asset
Experience
Interaction
People
Space
Environment
Condition
Furniture
Product
Tool
Content
Service
Conversation
Interior Design Guideline
Diversity
Flexibility
Experience
Material
Allowing for Change
Rhythm & Journey
Playful & Touchable
Diversity
Content Design Guideline
WHAT
WHY
HOW
Who We Are
What We Do
Why We Do These
Projects
Experience Design
Entice
Enter
Engage
Exit
Extend
Four Scenarios of AgeLab+
Entice
TouchPoint
Before entering the hallway
The Vibe We Want to Create
Self-explanatory, Guided, Directional
The Moment We Want to Curate
The visitors start to follow the wayfinding on the wall before entering the hallway.
Estimated Time We Want People to Stay
1 ~ 5 mins
01
Pain Points
No directivity: Visitors hardly know where the lab is by looking at the plain white hallway.
Solution
Directivity + Branding
Enter
TouchPoint
In front of the first information wall (consist of three boards attached on the door)
The Vibe We Want to Create
Informative, Approachable, Storytelling
The Moment We Want to Curate
The visitors can quickly understand the story, the history, the position, the people and the culture of the MIT AgeLab while passing by.
Estimated Time We Want People to Stay
5 ~ 10 mins
02
Pain Points
No information provided.
Outdated pictures.
Solution
Fun Gallery + Informational Exhibition
Engage
TouchPoint
Before entering the immersive space
The Vibe We Want to Create
Thought-provoking, Engaging, Sharing
The Moment We Want to Curate
The visitors will quickly browse through some thought-provoking questions and start to have a discussion in the groups or with MIT AgeLab people and then write it down on Post-it and share.
Estimated Time We Want People to Stay
10 ~ 15 mins
03
Pain Points
No idea what's inside the room.
Walls are not used to meet the needs of users.
Solution
Interaction + Flexibility
Exit & Extend
TouchPoint
In the MIT AgeLab working space
The Vibe We Want to Create
Experimental, Curiosity, Delightful
The Moment We Want to Curate
The leaving moment needs to be designed in a way that makes people feel content, rewarding and they want to come back to learn and to collaborate in the future. Besides, it is also a space belonging to lab people to keep encouraging and inspiring themselves.
Estimated Time We Want People to Stay
15 ~ 20 mins
04
Pain Points
No space for lab people to share their joy and life.
Solution
Interaction + Playful
" Many pics to be added to the wall! "
- quoted from one of our lab people after one event
Reflections
1. Treat design challenges based on users’ need.
2. Target users' problems and figure out the solutions accordingly.
3. Design is not limited to certain categories, instead, design is a tool for potential problem solving. Empowering design means that design is a tool of problem-solving and idea-expressing from the perspective of users. The role of a designer is to consolidate, transform, and amplify. The joy of design is because of the power-transfer.
* Below are pictures of our first in-person tour after the space refresh. Photo Credit to Author Qingyu Cai. Great thanks to MIT AgeLab!