On-Off

The problem our project solves

Interfusion of 2 areas (home, work) in one space leads to a lack of incentives for achieving easy tasks and having the feeling of control over one’s life. Based on our survey, this problem affects every person, who’s stuck in their own home. Not only it applies to remote employees and students but also to families with small children in general.

Emerging trends we have identified

We found two dominant trends.

1. Third space. It’s a sociological theory saying that each person spends time in three spaces. The first is their home, the second is work, and the third is the space in-between, where they can distance themselves from social roles like mother, employee. The Coronavirus outbreak forced people to stay at home thus all three spaces were merged in one place. It leads to a lack of motivation and time-management problems.

2. Tik-Tok challenges. As we all know, the Tik-Tok app became a creative and inclusive space to share ideas on how to spend the quarantine in the most inventive ways. Also, it’s an effective marketing tool, when it comes to making viral challenges such as the pillow challenge.

The solution we bring to the table

Let us introduce „On-off”. It’s an idea that aims to encourage people to build their own fortresses of chairs, blankets, pillows, and other random objects found at home. Bringing back memories from childhood, it allows adults to work remotely in a separated area. This fortress becomes their 2nd place, where other household members can’t interrupt them. In addition, we prepared: 1) an entry ritual, that signals to everyone that a person is no longer available since they're working; 2) a leaving ritual, that says "I'm done with work for today". Those ideas will be promoted in a viral TikTok challenge, where people can show their fortress building skills and have fun with recording rituals with #watchmedisappear.

What we have done during the weekend

With Design Thinking methodology and behavior economy we created an easy-to-implement idea that allows people to separate their workspaces from their homes. On Friday we prepared a questionnaire and empathized with over seventy European Union citizens, trying to identify their problems. On Saturday we chose the most nagging problem, had a brainstorming session, and chose the best idea - which is a fortress with viral rituals. On Sunday we prepared a promotional video with an exemplary TikTok, presentation, and a mock-up for a furniture shop catalogue. That idea can also be used by brands as a part of marketing campaigns. It’s an additional support for companies which are also affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The solution’s impact on the crisis

On-Off can ease the physical and mental discomfort for employees, students, and families. Fortress helps them organize a healthy working environment. It leads to improving the quality of work, brings more motivation, and helps in household communication. Users can feel that they reclaimed control over their life-work balance. As for the end-goal, On-Off will raise social responsibility.

Why should the final user employ our solution?

It’s completely free and easy to implement. The #watchmediasppear challenge lives up to TikTok trend that anyone can join including furniture store brands. They can use it as a real-time marketing tool and show off their products while promoting healthy work environments in the spirit of CSR. Families can feel the relief of psychological tension. As for the youngest users – after the end of the coronavirus outbreak kids can hold a pleasant memory of building a fortress with their caregivers.

The necessities in order to continue the project

Since our idea is free and extremely easy-to-implement, this whole solution is ready to be applied in everyday life. We only need to start this (hopefully) viral trend via TikTok.

The value of our solution after the crisis

When this coronavirus crisis ends and employers will come back to their usual workplaces, the fortress can stay in the house but with a different function. It will no longer be the second place committed for work, but it will become the third place – the one, where you can relax.

Built With

• adobe-illustrator
• adobe-premiere
• canva
• no-code