Role
Research Lead
Tools
Figma, Miro, Adobe Illustrator
Team
Amadeus Cameron
Guy Casseiri
Nina Otto
Celine Pyun
Context
With the rise of remote and/or hybrid workplaces, new hires are having a hard time networking and/or building connections, and are feeling more isolated than ever before. Buddi is an app that helps connect new hires to their work culture and expand their network within the company. Get to know your coworkers over a spontaneous lunch!
How I added value
As the lead researcher for Buddi, I helped push our team forward by using creative research methods to uncover valuable insights. I was also deeply involved in user testing, UI design, and brainstorming sessions. This project was a true team effort, and its success is due to the incredible talent and collaboration of the amazing people I had the privilege to work with.
Turning Research Into Action: Our Remote/Hybrid Workspace Journey
Tasked with the job of finding an opportunity area to solve within the remote/hybrid workspace, we started off knee-deep in all kinds of research (secondary research, interviews, observations, etc.)
And after conducting all of that research, we had to sift through 200+ raw data points to turn them into actionable insights to help with our brainstorming of the solution.
And once we sifted through all those raw data points, we realized new hires felt disconnected not because of the hybrid or remote environment itself, but because it didn’t foster genuine connections. Being connected to company culture means connecting with peers, which is difficult in a hybrid or remote setting.
THE PROBLEM
New hires struggled to connect with coworkers, making it hard to feel part of the company culture
Our Epic Late-Night Brainstorm
to Connect New Hires
After learning that new hires felt disconnected from their work culture, we asked ourselves: "How do we make new hires feel more connected to their work culture?"
We went through a lot of brainstorming (via Crazy 8's method) and kept referring back to our notes. During this part of the process, we had many back-and-forth discussions happened, and we were practically having group meetings till late at night!
Finally, we came up with a solution that we all loved! Which was Buddi: A networking app that helps connect new hires to their work culture by getting to know your coworkers over a spontaneous lunch or coffee!
You might be wondering, why Buddi? When we reviewed our data, we discovered three key user needs that Buddi perfectly addresses:
"I want a solution I can use in my free time"
- Student A
"I want a solution where I can connect face-to-face"
- Intern at Amazon
"I want a solution that isn't scheduled meetups!"
- Intern at Lenovo
Validating Buddi Networking App
But how do we know this idea works? Well, we of course tested it thoroughly! Through pilot tests, observations, and Wizard of Oz testing, we were able to fine-tune our concept.
We found out that our idea works, but it just needs a few minor tweaks to be even better:
Buddi makes sure that both parties (inviter and invitee) consents to meeting new people.
Buddi tells the users some information about the people they're meeting…
…However, Buddi doesn't tell users too much information, as discovering details in person is part of the fun.
Buddi's experience is spontaneous, not scheduled weeks in advance, so that users feel a genuine connection.
And, after our numerous testings and refinement, we decided it was time to move to the next stage: creating our user interface.
Crafting and Tweaking Buddi's User Interface
Once we defined our solution's purpose, we started designing the user interface. We identified two main user flows needed in our app:
Once we nailed down the two main actions, we dove into designing and refining our user interface through extensive UI testing. Here's a peek at the evolution of our UI, from low-fidelity to high-fidelity.
'HOME' BEFORE
'HOME' AFTER
Enhance the Dashboard with Relevant Information
Initially, we believed a Venmo-like dashboard would be engaging and encourage users to connect with new friends and stay updated on their 'Buddis'. However, user testing revealed that this feature did not provide any value. As a result, we pivoted to showcase more relevant information, such as company events and local happenings where users can meet new people.
'SENDING INVITE' BEFORE
'SENDING INVITE' AFTER
Refining the Invite Confirmation Screen
Initially, we believed a confirmation screen for sending invites would provide positive feedback to users. However, user testing revealed that this screen offered no value. Instead, users preferred a summary of their choices, allowing them to double-check and edit their information if needed.
'INVITE' BEFORE
'INVITE' AFTER
Improving the Invite Screen Layout
Users disliked the location being at the bottom of the 'invite screen' because it was a crucial piece of information for spontaneous plans. To improve usability, we moved the location higher up for better visibility and faster scanning.
After many days of designing and iteration, here’s the finished product!
We’ve come a long way in our designs, and here is the polished look of Buddi! Your number #1 friend in helping you create meaningful relationships in your workplace :)
Fearlessly Tackling Unknown Problems (Thanks to a Great Team)
At the start of the project, I was honestly intimidated by the problem space—how do you solve a problem you don't fully understand? But as we moved forward, my confidence grew, all thanks to my incredible team.
The late-night discussions, work sessions, and brainstorming workshops showed me that a daunting project becomes manageable with the right team and creative environment. People and ideas truly shine when everyone collaborates effectively!
Now, when faced with challenges, I'm more excited than scared. I believe any problem can be solved with the right mindset and conversations.
This project was a true team effort, and its success is due to the amazing talent and collaboration of the people I had the privilege to work with.
