O-P-E-N UX ANALYSIS
PROBLEM:
How might we visually assess Open's iOS digital interactions as it relates to the in-Studio experiences to support and grow human connection?
SOLUTION:
Identify the app’s strengths to be maintained, locate areas for improvement and suggest design changes that match the serenity and warmth of the offline meditative experience.
KEY INSIGHTS:
The Physical Experience has the advantage of tapping into sensory stimulus and cues to achieve tranquility and a sense of community.
STRENGTHS:
The skylight at the center of the studio is elemental to the design of a reflective and tranquil meditative experience.
The incorporation of reusable items such as mats create a shared responsibility and sense of community.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Ensure areas for gathering do not block user flow by separating areas for gathering and circulation.
Simplify the path from sign-up to meditation.
Offer ceramic mugs for post-session tea to steer participants away from the "to-go" culture and inviting them to be a present and valued part of the community.
The Digital Experience has the advantage of allowing users to tune their experience to their individual preferences allowing Open to integrate into daily routines.
STRENGTHS:
Gradients depicting a lighting effect helps connect the digital experience to physical in-studio experiences and promotes brand recognition.
Dark and muted tones are applied consistently across all visual brand elements. This has a calming effect on users, especially in dim-lit environments.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Consider leveraging color into the wayfinding strategy to aid user navigation.
Use line to aid intuitive interaction design. Represent unpressed buttons as outlined shapes, and pressed buttons as solid shapes.
Custom symbols that match the brand's distinctive shapes, can further strengthen brand recognition.
RESEARCH
Strategic Analysis of the physical experience located in the Venice Studio
SERVICE BLUEPRINT
Simplify the path from sign-up to meditation.
The Buddhist concept of Upaya, meaning "skillful means," involves using tailored strategies to guide individuals toward a self-discovered deeper insight.
Applied to studio space, it emphasizes simplifying the user flow to create an intuitive, seamless and distraction-free path to meditation.
THE SKYLIGHT
The skylight is elemental to the design of a reflective and tranquil meditative experience.
Its deep cylindrical form embodies Sacred Geometry, believed to promote focus and inner harmony in Buddhist environments. Shapes like this symbolize cosmic order and the path to enlightenment, aligning the physical space with spiritual practice.
The negative space created by this void fosters a sense of openness, a quality cherished in Asian design, as it is valued as much as the objects themselves for its ability to instill balance and tranquility.
Slow, incremental changes in shadow and light throughout the day create uniquely enriching experiences, allowing practitioners to connect with the space in different ways at various times.
USER DENSITY MAP
Ensure areas for gathering do not block user flow.
While high traffic areas may indicate conversation and connection between users, groups often restrict user flow.
Much like the practitioners’ community (Sangha) the studio must be fit for both individual practice and communal gatherings. In order to facilitate both private and social experiences, pathways must be clear making both avenues more accessible.
REUSABLE ITEMS
The incorporation of reusable items can create a shared responsibility and sense of community.
In line with Buddhist values of compassion (Karuna) and loving-kindness (Metta), is a strong emphasis on sustainable materials and practices, reflecting a deep respect for others and the environment.
Incorporating reusable equipment (mats, rolls, eye masks, etc.) throughout the practice, where participants must clean and return equipment, helps users contribute to a community and fosters a shared identity.
Offering ceramic mugs for post-session tea encourages mindfulness and connection, steering participants away from the "to-go" culture and inviting them to be present, socialize, and savor the experience together.
