Process

First iterations revolved around using a coaster with a pressure-activated light in the middle to share availability with others having matching sets of that coaster - whenever that coaster has a cup placed on it, will light up on the matching sets alerting people to begin a coffee break conversation. This evolved into several iterations, before realizing the variety or cups and glasses that could be placed on the coaster could cause confusion and add too much complexity to the pressure sensing component. We finally decided on a cube that could be tilted or shaken. The cube form was sturdy for our sensor and avoided unintentional activation; it also conveys stability which is an environment we wanted to create for users on both sides. We initially wanted to use the Neopixel since we believe that light would enhance the user experience. Light could perhaps showing what type of interaction someone is looking for or, in general, alert the user in a subtler way as a vibration as an initial alert may occur to often and be jarring. Light could be the alert that people are reaching out and after accepting, the vibration could serve as a trigger/reminder that your chat is about to begin (tied to your calendar, zoom, etc. or whatever scheduling mechanism we use But the Neopixel is delicate and could not withstand the shaking/tilting we designed for without requiring soldering or some other mechanism to ensure it was protected within the cube. 

Draft - 1.1: Conversation Coaster

• A coaster that lights up when someone places a cup on it to indicate availability.
• You place your own cup to accept.
• All colors are shown at once. The whole coaster is able to display light.

Draft - 1.2: Conversation Coaster

• A coaster that lights up when someone places a cup on it to indicate availability.
• You place your own cup to accept.
• Only one color is shown at a time.

Draft - 1.4-6: Conversation Block

• Availability Indication
• Use light to show others are free to meet
• Pressure sensors
• Indicate you have some free time and want to meet
• Paper Notification
• There is some kind of dial indication of the type of meeting available

Draft - 1.4-6: Conversation Coasters

• Availability Indication
• Use light to show others are free to meet
• Pressure sensors
• Indicate you have some free time and want to meet
• Paper Notification
• There is some kind of dial indication of the type of meeting available

Draft - 1.4-6: Conversation Block

• Availability Indication
• Use light to show others are free to meet
• Pressure sensors
• Indicate you have some free time and want to meet
• Paper Notification
• There is some kind of dial indication of the type of meeting available

Draft - 2.1 Serendipicube

• A little cube that you can have sit on your desk.
• Use light to show how many are free to meet, flip the cube to show availability