UX Design
UX Research
Product Management
Chicago Connectory:
Member Wall
The Chicago Connectory is an Internet of Things (IoT) incubator & co-working space.
My team and I created an IoT product that enhanced the user experience for existing members by 67%, and contributed to a 33% boost in memberships.
My Role
UX Designer
UX Researcher
Product Manager
Team
Sumra Iqbal
Kevin McQuown
Addison Kimball
Duration
4 weeks
(weekly sprints)
Danielle Heinz
PART I: IDEATION
PROBLEM
After conducting surveys, I found that 42% of Chicago Connectory members felt that senior management can do more to promote their startup.
The Chicago Connectory had a wall with paper logos of a few of its members.
SOLUTION: MEMBER WALL
An IoT product that promotes Chicago Connectory startups.
Mobile app
Users select a domain of IoT
Data from app
Selected data gets sent to a cloud
Hardware
Selected data is projected on the IoT product; LEDs illuminate member logos depending on the entry selected on the mobile app.
PART II: PROTOTYPING
SKETCHES
The member wall app went through many iterations before the three teams (marketing, engineering, and I) agreed on a final design.
I wanted to adhere to Chicago Connectory branding, which is why I incorporated its logo into the app design.
To organize the 50+ members of the Chicago Connectory, I categorized each member based on the domain of IoT their start-up fell into.
The initial app design eventually went through many iterations before the final product.
PROTOTYPE
Different iterations of the app, all of which I designed in Proto.io. The developers I collaborated with were Addison and Kevin.
Using Adobe Illustrator, I designed a circular acrylic plate with the logo of a Connectory member, Spacebot, engraved in the center.
I used an in-house laser cutter to cut and engrave 50+ member logos.
PART III: FINAL PRODUCT
Users select entry on mobile app
Users simply select a domain of IoT from the app located on the wall. The selected data is sent to a development board located behind the wall.
Selected entry is sent to a cloud
The wifi-enabled development board transmits the data, and illuminates the corresponding logos.
Corresponding member logos illuminated
The iPad was intentionally set at this height to comply with the American Disability Association, to ensure all visitors of the Connectory can interact with this demo.
If a user chooses the Industry 4.0 category on the app, the corresponding startups illuminate on the wall.
PART IV: OUTCOME
In a post-project survey, 67% of members communicated that the Member Wall creatively showcased and promoted their startups.
Additionally, the Member Wall incentivized prospective members to join the Chicago Connectory, and contributed to a 33% increase in memberships over the course of 6 months.