Designing a User Testing Lab
Client: Design4India, Bangalore
The objective of this project was to design a user testing lab for the Design4India offices in Bangalore, for the testing of tech products across all platforms, ranging from mobile to web and AR/VR. The client provided a brief which required the design of a space that was 'Swadeshi' and Futuristic.
The term Swadeshi means ‘of one’s own country’. India is a diverse country filled with cultural markers. India can be summed by the variety of colors and patterns produced by its textile industry. The attempt has been made to incorporate Indian motifs and patterns in the soft furnishings of the usability lab to bring in the ethos of the Indian culture.
Futuristic design involves modernity. The interpretation of futuristic in this project has been in the form of minimalism and solid muted colors. The attempt has been made to incorporate a futuristic look in the form of the wall panels and furniture proposed.
Layout of Site, as provided by the Client
Layout Plan of the User Testing Lab
The layout of the usability lab has been designed to incorporate five kinds of spaces, each equally important for the working of the lab. The first kind is the testing room which accommodates one user and one facilitator. The Testing room for Web and Mobile Application has been separated from the Testing room for AR/VR, which requires more space for movement. The second type of room is the control room, accommodating an analyst, a note taker and an observer. The third kind of space is the client observation room, built for comfort and to accommodate at least 5 people, including designers and makers to the software being tested. This room is a crucial room as it gives the client a firsthand experience of how their product is being used. At the same time, this room has been separated from the testing room and control room for the purpose of privacy. The video feed from the testing room will be directed to TV in the client observation room. The fourth space is a workshop space accommodating a team of five people for the purpose of brainstorming and discussion. The fifth kind of space is the waiting room, where the user can sit and wait for their turn and any debriefing that needs to happen before the test can take place in this area.
User Testing Rooms
Control Room
Client Observation Room
Workshop Space
Waiting Room
Walk-Through of the Space
