How can we spark meaningful connections at a networking event?
Post-pandemic social awkwardness makes meaningful connections at mixer events harder to spark. We tackled this by using an interactive human bingo map—a fun, goal-oriented game that breaks the ice and turns networking into effortless, purposeful interactions.
Blossom
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March 2023 - August 2024
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Role: Product Designer
Research Methods: Interviewing, Qualitative Analysis, Journey Mapping, Surveying, Usability Testing, Focus Groups, Contextual Inquiry
Team: Irene Wong, Mansi Saini, Pichy Jumpholwang, Rishab Bajaj, Wing Koon, Blythe Chen, Michelle Tan, Hayat Malik(Research Support), David Lee(Advisor)
Surveying & Interviewing
How were survey responses used?
Surveys
Tool(s): Google Forms and Qualtrics
By using surveys, we ensured that our findings were based on direct user input, making our research more user-centered and aligned with actual preferences rather than assumptions.
Synthesis
We compiled all the responses into a spreadsheet, categorized them by similar themes, and analyzed common interests and behaviors. This helped us identify shared patterns and user preferences, providing actionable insights for prompt generation.
What did we take away from interviews?
Interviews
Techniques: Active Listening, Open-ended questions, Neutrality, Empathy, Documentation, Clarification
By using post-event interviews, we enriched our understanding of participants' experiences, allowing us to create more informed, empathetic, and actionable recommendations for future improvements.
Analysis
We analyzed what participants liked and disliked, examined why certain prompts resonated with specific individuals, and explored what insights they gained from the interview. This helped us evaluate whether their responses effectively addressed our research questions and provided relevant data for our study goals.
Running the Study
Networking + Wizard of Oz
Participants
The participants in this project were recruited through classes and through a research lab.
Goals
Prompts
There were 4 kinds of prompts for the users to start a conversation with anyone else. These were all generated from the survey questions.
The goals for participants were to connect with others and build relationships, have fun while being silly and taking photos to create lasting memories, engage in learning and collaborative tasks, and participate in collective brainstorming around a lab-wide topic. The event aimed to foster both enjoyment and productive interactions, encouraging creativity, support, and idea-sharing.
The "Bingo" factor
We then adopted a Bingo variation to encourage group socializing. We refined and tested this design through prototype studies and participant interviews, gathering feedback on user preferences to improve the system.
Wizard of Oz-ing
We employed a Wizard of Oz approach by monitoring user activity and checking live statistics to track who completed the most squares. Additionally, we highlighted popular responses to display communal answers, fostering a sense of shared participation and enhancing user engagement during the event.