Quantitative Scoring Method for Ideas
Above is our scoresheet for ranking each idea from our initial ideation phase and our revisited ideation phase. To score each idea, we selected six constraints or requirement categories we felt were the most important to the success of our design. Those six categories are:
1. Design creates a separation from work-life and home-life
2. Design should not be intrusive
3. Design should be compatible with various desk sizes without impeding existing setups
4. Design must reduce/insulate noise from both the surroundings and coming from inside workspace
5. Design should promote adequate lighting
6. Design should allow for maximum comfort at the workspace
From here, we parsed through each idea and scored each based on whether or not they met each requirement. If one met all six, they would get a score of 6, indicated by the green cell highlight. The black cells indicate an idea that closely aligned with a previously discussed idea or an idea we couldn’t see creating an entire design around. After each idea was thoughtfully scored, we moved on to briefly analyzing our results and identifying aspects of Score 5 ideas we thought may be helpful to the success of our project while working through similarities to our Score 6 ideas.
Results of the Idea Scoring/Rating
The above document contains the four ideas that received a 6 score with a synopsis of our thoughts on the Score 5 ideas.
Reflection
- What went well? What went less well?
We successfully developed a scoring matrix to determine possible advantages and disadvantages of each design. It was helpful that we recognized several of our ideas as essentially equivalent; extracting the aspects of the repeated design we liked while identifying qualities we deemed nonessential. It also provided us with a perspective of how we should refine each of our concepts. Some ideas could not be a final solution in their entirety; however, they might be welcomed accessories. It was hard to balance each idea’s usefulness and validity compared to the bigger picture.
- Which ideas seem to have the most promise to move forward to the prototyping stage? (Keep in mind you’re not officially evaluating ideas yet!)
As a group, we were able to narrow down the pool of ideas and take concepts from other ideas to potentially move forward with. A main repeated feature in many ideas was the use of some sort of panel or divider to help separate the user from their surroundings. There are several ways to incorporate panels or dividers into the product, but it seems at this point that this will be an integral part of the final design. Along with this, adding soundproof material to the product is another promising idea that was consistent in many of our concept ideation choices. The combination of soundproof material and panels/dividers will help promote the work-life balance of the user, which is one of the most important constraints that we have for our project.
- What questions or concerns do you have about moving into prototyping at the start of Spring semester? (Particularly that we’re going to be an online class!)
Following our initial assignment and reflection on the concept ideation we compiled a list of questions as we move forward into prototyping:
Which materials will work best to complete our prototype?
Some ideas may be difficult to prototype. How should we go about choosing our final design while having this in mind?
What does the process of purchasing equipment for our prototype look like?
What type of documentation will be best to record as we move throughout prototyping? (Photo, Video, etc.)
We believe some of these questions will be answered as we continue working on our design. We will revisit these questions after we acquire more information and gain a better understanding of the prototyping assignment.