Booking system
Smart booking system with LED integration
To enhance MuteBox’s accessibility and usability without altering its core design, I developed Book-A-Box, an interactive booking system featuring a mobile app and an LED indicator for effortless reservations and clear availability.
Timeline
A six-month bachelor thesis covering research, development, and initial implementation, followed by a post-thesis redesign based on user feedback.
Background
MuteBox phone booths lacked a structured booking system, leading to usability challenges. Through user interviews and discussions with MuteBox’s founder, I identified key pain points and prioritized features using the MoSCoW method.
By combining research and iteration, I developed a mobile app and an LED indicator that communicated via Bluetooth, refining the design based on real-world observations and user feedback.
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including brainstorming, research, concept development, design, and testing phases.
Brainstorming & Ideation
Before meeting with MuteBox, I interviewed an office worker familiar with phone booth usage to identify real-world challenges. These insights shaped my discussion with MuteBox’s founder and guided the brainstorming session, focusing on availability indication and ease of booking.
Research & Requirements
Following the brainstorming session, I researched MuteBox alternatives, booking systems, scientific articles, and workspace solutions to expand my understanding. Using the MoSCoW method, I prioritized key features to define user needs and establish system requirements:
Concept Development
After defining key requirements, I explored multiple ideas - ranging from a simple card-based system to a full app-based booking solution. Through iteration, I refined the concept into a booking app integrated with a physical LED indicator box.
Design & Prototyping
With a clear direction, I created wireframes and a present/future scenario to visualize user interactions. I then developed an interactive prototype in Adobe XD, later refining the design in Figma as a personal project to improve usability and align with MuteBox’s branding.
Implementation & Testing
I developed the booking app in Android Studio and the LED indicator box in SolidWorks, using Bluetooth and Arduino for communication. Observing real-world interactions with users provided valuable feedback, which guided the redesign of the app portion of the solution.
Book-A-Box redesign improves the booking experience, making it easier for users to locate, reserve, and manage MuteBoxes.
Refined Booking Flow
A structured interface simplifies reservations, allowing users to check availability, book a booth, and receive instant confirmation. Recent and frequent bookings are saved for quick access.
LED Indicators
Color-coded indicators make booth status easy to spot from a distance (red for occupied, green for available) helping users quickly find an open booth, even for instant reservations.
Clearer Naming & Location
MuteBoxes can be named based on locations, floors, or waypoints, reducing confusion and making it easier for users to navigate and book the right booth.
Here, the project’s key outcomes are highlighted, including improved booking efficiency, simplified wayfinding, and positive user feedback.
Improved Booking Efficiency
The redesigned app simplified reservations, reducing unused bookings with automatic cancellations and making access to MuteBoxes faster.
Simplified Wayfinding
Floor-coded naming and availability indicators helped users quickly locate and book MuteBoxes, minimizing confusion and improving booth utilization.
Positive User Feedback
Users found the interface clearer, with improved color coding and more intuitive naming, enhancing booth status visibility and navigation while aligning with MuteBox’s visual identity.