In order to fully enjoy the app two people must visit the link and log onto the app from different computers.
Contextify
Remote work made local
Contextify is a video conferencing tool that helps colleagues work together across cultures, time zones, and distances.
Contextify is a video conferencing tool that helps colleagues work together across cultures, time zones, and distances.
User Need
In today’s world of multinational corporations, remote collaboration is unavoidable, but the tools we have at our disposal fall short of truly replicating face-to-face communication.
Problems with basic video chat:
Problems with basic video chat:
- Can be awkward or uncomfortable with unfamiliar partners
- Obscures contextual information about participants
- Crucial small talk is often skipped
- Prevents relationships from developing
Goal
We aim to address the pitfalls of today’s video chat solutions by unobtrusively inserting contextual information about participants into the conversation and encouraging more natural, healthy communication between remote co-workers.
Design Process
- Paper Prototyping & Tests. Hypothesis validated that extra information helps create more small talk and bonding.
- Wizard of OZ Prototyping & Tests. Understood how users communicate over video chat and explored options of how to convey context.
- Basic Functioning Prototype & Tests. Developed the business centered use case (as opposed to personal) and determined the most effective content to display.
- Constant Iterative Prototypes & Tests. Improved relevance and personalization of information, hiding information naturally, switching context, immersive yet passive quality of interaction.
- Final Prototype. Tested final prototype with business users with successful reception.
Testing Insights
- Passive information is better than active information. Immersive photos and the ability to hide text conveys context without disrupting business.
- Relevance of information matter. Anything not immediately useful becomes a distraction.
- People want to see their own context in addition to partner context. Helps facilitate conversations where you are not familiar with your own surroundings.
- People value non-work related conversation. Across all conversations, users enjoyed the help of non work related conversation.
Conclusion
Remote collaboration is a difficult problem, and while many video chat solutions exist, none successfully replicate the natural, unplanned interactions of face-to-face communication. However, after completing a series of user tests and prototype iterations, we found that by injecting various contextual aids, both passive and active, we can build a deeper empathy between remote co-workers.