What if Google and Crate&Barrel got together to make a device to bring families closer together? That was our scenario.
We designed an interactive Google Globe to help families and stay connected. The Globe was developed from a hypothetical partnership between Google and Crate & Barrel. The design is also inspired by J.K. Rowling's Weasley Clock that uses magic, or in our case, computer imagination, to stay connected with the family.
The Google Globe feeds in social network data and has gentle ambient indicators to display when new information is available. The goal was to make a functional device that also pleasantly displays in the home. We tested the game with 3 participants with a paper prototype of a globe. The design includes subtle ambient indicators so the Globe still works in the home. When inactive it appears like a simple globe that both children and adults can play.
We built the globe and figured out if it works
When activated, users can 'travel' around the globe and touch these indicators to see where their friends and families in their networks last traveled. The Globe has a web feature where families can make a list of who they want to appear on the globe. With GPS tracking and public social media tweets, last locations and photos, videos, posts and tweets appear. As the world is both smaller and bigger all at the same time, the globe connects families and elegantly brings accessory technology into the living room to lessen the distance.
But not without lots of sketching and research
We studied families and their spaces. Based on user research and later our usability tests, we aimed to understand the spaces at home. What if our globe was on a shower curtain or a refridgerator? We explored these spaces and came to the globe.
Then things got really fun. Our research led us to explore different zoom, touch and social networking mechanisms.
