CollegeHunch®
Why is this project worthy of an award?
CollegeHunch, an iOS app available (free) in the App Store, transforms the way that students, parents and counselors conduct their college research. It disrupts traditional print publications and web applications by providing an interactive, comprehensive, solution to the dual challenge of retrieving reliable data and assimilating information in order to make informed decisions regarding college choices. It meets the demands of an increasingly mobile world by providing a resource that is always on and within easy reach. Given that college research is an iterative process, and often based on recommendations of friends and family, there is no time to power up the desktop. Its value and user experience is defined not just by the quality and scope of its data set, but by an intuitive and rich UI that is fully customizable. Users swipe through colleges rather than confronting lists, and can choose among eight criteria to sort the browsing order. Furthermore, they can configure the way the information is displayed for each college by moving tiles in place to suit their preferences. They can even build a spreadsheet in minutes that would take days or weeks the old-fashioned way. With such powerful tools embedded in the UI, they are able to assimilate statistics in a way that is just not possible in other media. The extensive use of graphics provides not just a more inviting user interface, but also heightens the productivity, speeding absorption rates and enriching understanding. And, since CollegeHunch is dynamically coded, data points, or graphs upon which they are built, are simply do not appear when the data for a specific college is not available. This ensures that the user experience is not marred by a proliferation of N/A’s that characterize most college websites' static templates. Furthermore, the backend is tightly integrated into the front end so that data can be updated on the fly and appear instantaneously in the app whereas the fine print of college guidebooks is stale by the time it reaches the bookshelf. College research is no longer a chore or guessing game, but an immersive experience that appeals not just to students underserved by traditional counselors in over-populated high school systems, but by all players trying to navigate the college maze. One reviewer of the app crystalized its power to engage by attesting that it brought ownership of the college-decision process to her children, who were incentivized to come up with specific college possibilities of their own. Interaction and customization are keys to engagement, and CollegeHunch invites its users to embark on self-discovery. Anecdotal evidence demonstrates its resonance with users: At the time of writing, the app is rated 4.7 (out of 5) stars with 2,370 ratings on the App Store. Although some other college apps “cover” more colleges, their data and feature set are much more limited and their UI much less refined.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
In order to appreciate its understated power, one must download CollegeHunch (free on the App Store). Although the scope of data contained in the app is exhaustive, the statistics never overwhelm users, thanks to a cohesive and visual UI. The embedded features are designed to enhance productivity and heighten engagement: By design, with a single gesture—a tap or a swipe—they can add colleges to a favorites list, or filter the 1,000+ colleges contained in the app by any of twenty-two criteria, or build an in-app spreadsheet comparing comprehensive statistics across colleges, or save slices of information. The interactive and immersive UI ensures that they broaden and narrow their college search at the same time. Maps include not just POI’s but also nearby colleges, and a simple tap on a college pin provides access to information. High-resolution color photos take the place of mundane college logos or seals, and are fully exposed by swiping down on a statistical summary bar. Drawings of the most represented states of the student body add to the visual impact and provide context of size. Current and historical weather information ensures that the student understands more than the academic climate. Everything is one tap or swipe away, thanks to a cohesive but powerful UI. By design, CollegeHunch facilitates assimilation of a vast amount of data in a way that has not been accomplished before, empowering users to make informed college choices. N.B. The app was released initially in October 2015, but notable UI improvements, enhancements to the feature set (embedded in the UI), and an expanded database of colleges occurred after Summer 2016. Since then, almost every update includes new features or data to enhance the user experience (and not just fix bugs).
Who worked on the project?
Jonathan Gray, Founder, Stipend, LLC
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtqllK0Waog
Coloplast Brand DNA
Company Native Design
Introduction Date January 1, 2013
Project Website
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Design DNA was purposely engineered as a vehicle to unify Coloplast's diverse portfolio of brands. This portfolio consists of a range of products that serve very singular functions designed to cater to specific user needs. It outlines a unified design approach to create products with a clear Coloplast identity that deliver reliable, consistent user experiences. As opposed to a step-by-step manual, the value in the Design DNA is a common foundation that enables everyone in the development process to think and design in the Coloplast way. It is embedded in the Coloplast culture and exists to help not only designers, but everyone concerned with product creation. At the outset, a key challenge was how to unify a diverse portfolio of brands. Initial immersion enabled a deep understanding of each product individually - why it looks the way it does, how it’s made, what defines the user experience - developing an approach that would work across all products in the range, now and in the future. To be successful the scope and the project should balance the fundamental needs of Coloplast, from company ambition, efficiency and cost, through to meeting user needs and context of use, whilst also resulting in beautifully designed and engineered products. As a company who were established with a top down approach starting with engineering, the challenge of evolving from an engineering company to an innovation business was paramount. During the immersion phase, a need was recognized for products that go beyond the functional requirements of a medical device and start to address psychological and emotional needs of users, such as dignity and discretion. For the majority of users who rely on these products to manage their condition but live otherwise normal lives, it made sense that the products be designed to reduce stigma and feel more like a lifestyle brand than a cold, emotionless medical device. As an ageing population who anecdotally feel younger than ever, it was vital to start to prepare the brand for the democratization and consumerization of healthcare. The need for better designed more empathic products required a pragmatic approach in order to add innovation and design without incurring additional costs for the end-user. As single use products that are usually paid for either through personal health insurance or by the state, this severely restricted Bill of Materials (BOM) increases requiring intelligent innovation. Close collaboration with internal engineering teams enabled design and strategy to embed itself at the heart of the development process. Addressing issues from both the user and a manufacturing point of view unlocked new and innovative ways of solving problems, often completely rethinking how a product is made or interacted with rather than trying to fix the existing solution. Introducing the Design Behaviors at the earliest stages of product development facilitated a deep synergy between marketing and R&D, bringing them closer together with a shared vocabulary and a new way of approaching design in the company.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative? The Design DNA has succeeded in embedding design firmly at the heart of the organization. By seeding major cultural change at Coloplast in the way they look at design, shifting the focus from product functionality to the broader context of living with an intimate healthcare condition. By building confidence in first time use, increasing discretion and removing stigma, the principles within the DNA guided and continue to guide the development of innovative solutions. For the first time, Coloplast’s products have been recognized for their design, usability and beauty, and have received multiple plaudits, from the medical community and critical acclaim from the design industry. Most importantly, the DNA is leading Coloplast to have one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the world. Since the introduction of the DNA, the innovation pipeline is the strongest the company has ever had. One big change has been to cut back on the 20 or so product launches and upgrades that Coloplast made each year in the past, instead focusing on between two and four high-impact launches. In 2013, Forbes listed Coloplast as the 12th most innovative company in the world and share values have risen by 400% since 2010 and they continue a steady market growth. “I believe these awards are a great testament to our strong Design DNA. When developing a new product, we embed design from the get-go in order to make it an integrated part of the product – and not just an ad-on. This was the case with both SpeediCath Compact Eve and Sensura Mio and will continue to be the case with future products as well,” Oliver Johansen, SVP. Global R&D.
Who worked on the project?
Native Design London Staff
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/269056064/224d358851
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Elevator Pitch Activation
Company Harbinger
Introduction Date March 10, 2018
Project Website https://lift.comcast.com/pitchliftlabs/
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs is seeking ideas that will revolutionize the media, entertainment, and connectivity industries; Harbinger’s production of the elevator activation is the tool that helps LIFT Labs capture those ideas and turn them into new business ventures. The LIFT Labs team challenged Harbinger to create a way to collect stories from entrepreneurs all across the country. In turn, Harbinger developed an activation that creatively captured the stories of entrepreneurs across the country by producing a true to life elevator pop-up where entrepreneurs can give their "elevator pitch" virtually to the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs team. The LIFT Labs elevator activation records the stories of entrepreneurs and gives them the opportunity to meet Comcast executives they might never have crossed paths with on their own. Inversely, the activation helps LIFT Labs efficiently identify entrepreneurs to bring into the Comcast ecosystem. The pitches collected in the Elevator Activation help LIFT Labs executives identify entrepreneurs to participate in their accelerator program, give entrepreneurs the opportunity to have their idea reviewed by a business leader, or let entrepreneurs partake in peer reviewed workshops. This activation is more than just a one-day experience, but a moment that could truly change the life of a participant. There are no barriers for entry, no funding minimums nor user thresholds. Come in, pitch a great idea, get found.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
The Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs elevator activation has championed scenic design, application development, and technological concepts to create an exciting experience for entrepreneurs across the country. It also achieves practicality by providing a user friendly execution for the LIFT Labs team. Together, the concept harmonizes the imaginative and practical – bringing to life a real life elevator pitch experience! Versatility: The elevator activation had to accommodate a wide variety of programming - whether traveling to SXSW in Austin, TX or the eMerge Conference in Miami, FL. Harbinger built the activation to be transportable and assembled in venues across the country - regardless of loading dock access, a smooth loading path, access to internet, etc. That said, Harbinger wanted the experience to be authentic. Design: We worked with the LIFT Labs team on several design options, but ultimately decided the most unique look would be to create a design that paid homage to the Comcast Technology Center under construction in Philadelphia - it's even why we included photos of the Philly skyline inside the elevator! The Harbinger team considered other design elements as well. The wood paneling in the activation mirrors the design and finish of similar elements in the building's lobby. The elevator doors even have etched elements that nod to the structural design on the exterior of the building. The furnishings were even taken into consideration and channel the fun, colorful nature of the LIFT Labs logo. Technology & Data Collection/Privacy: Technologically speaking, Harbinger developed an application that was easy for both sets of users - the entrepreneurs pitching and the LIFT Labs team reviewing the pitches. From the entrepreneur user experience, Harbinger set out to make the registration process simple without collecting any more information than LIFT Labs needed. The team also utilized existing database information collected by LIFT Labs to avoid conflicting information and duplicative entries. Users also needed to understand how their data was being collected and used - LIFT Labs presented that information concisely and transparently during the registration process. No difficult to read legalese, just a simple single page disclaimer with no hidden language or surprises. On the backend, LIFT Labs wanted entrepreneurs to have access to their data. So we created a cloud where user data was stored and pushed back to them vial email after review by the LIFT Labs team. After entrepreneurs receive their videos, the idea is that they have the clips to add to their own stories and promote themselves online. The cloud storage system also allows the LIFT Labs team to upload/download data for multiple uses. Namely, they transfer the data from various events into their CRM which allows them to track how entrepreneurs are doing.
Who worked on the project?
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Ebony Lee Danielle Cohn Monique Moffo Jeanette Pierce Harbinger Chad VonLuehrte, Partner Mallory Mullen, Executive Producer Cory Frank, Creative Lead Dan Lamphier and Mark Romano, Production Leads Rob Schulte, Development Lead
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/teamharbinger/review/270810864/1585c26473
Connected Room
Company Hilton
Introduction Date December 7, 2017
Project Website http://newsroom.hilton.com/index.cfm/news/hilton-announces-connected-room-the-first-mobilecentric-hotel-room-to-begin-rollout-in-2018
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Society’s appetite for travel is rising; travel and tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors, according to Deloitte. Growing simultaneously is society’s list of high-tech demands, creating a challenge for hospitality companies to deliver the sense of control, connectivity and personalization guests want. Hilton’s big bet in response is Connected Room, a first-of-its-kind hotel room allowing guests to control their stay from one central point: their mobile device. Through the company’s loyalty program Hilton Honors app, guests can use their mobile phone as the in-room remote to control their television programming, lighting, and temperature – personalizing their preferences as they do at home. Connected Room fulfills the need for guests to feel connected and in control of their stay. They can set favorites in the Hilton Honors app so that their preferred channels will appear first, eliminating the need to click through to find a favorite sports or news program. They can choose from a growing list of popular streaming media providers, providing access to their own accounts and, in some cases, to free streaming programming even without an account. They can also personalize the temperature so it sets to their preferred climate when they get back to the room. In the longer-term, Connected Room will support a range of connected devices and experiences to customer their in-room experience to their individual preferences. Guests will able to use voice commands to control their room or access their content, and to upload their own artwork and photos to automatically display in their room. The expected win for guests is access to the comforts of home while traveling. The anticipated payoff for Hilton: more satisfied guests and loyal customers. Several trends are driving Hilton’s tech innovation. A boom in at-home technologies like smart thermostats and home automation systems has many travelers expecting similar features at hotels. Mobile phones are becoming an extension of their users, who constantly seek new ways to use their gadgets. Technology is providing people the choice and control to manage their lives, making personalization paramount for consumers. Connected Room also benefits hotel owners and Hilton team members by streamlining operations. Engineering can see when batteries are low on door locks or when a TV is having connectivity issues, enabling hotels to correct these items before it becomes a guest annoyance. And when guests aren’t in their rooms – typically 70% of the time – hotels can set back or power down devices such as the television, HVAC and lights, dramatically reducing energy consumption and bringing smart energy management capabilities to hotels. Connected Room is the latest of many ways Hilton has listened to guest feedback, matching preferences and behaviors with technology to provide a personalized stay. While Hilton has a long legacy of innovation, during the past several years it has invested heavily in digital services and products such as Digital Key. Available in more than 3,000 hotels, Digital Key allows guests to check-in online before arrive, pick their room from a digital map, and bypass the front desk.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
Hilton is constantly reimagining the guest experience to provide exceptional service. Connected Room was envisioned by chief information and marketing officers who wanted to increase connectivity across hundreds of thousands of rooms to deliver a more tailored guest experience. An innovative element of this approach is its platform architecture, so Hilton can extend its longevity and add new features and guest experiences via software updates, much like an Apple or Android mobile device, rather than costly and time consuming hardware replacement. Connected Room is homegrown technology developed by Hilton groups that focus on physical and technical room design, including Hilton’s Digital & IT team, Brand, Architecture and Design, Operations, Brand Performance Support, and Engineering teams. In addition to the technology itself, design considerations include whether guests with different languages will be able to use the technology, whether it provides additional support to our ADA compliance programs, and its longevity. Hilton designed the platform so it can scale to be a global operation across more than 106 countries or territories and 14 brands. As Hilton developed Connected Room, it looked at the competitive landscape and products its hotels were already using. The company assessed the underlying needs and priorities of its stakeholders, including guests, hotel owners, operators, and team members (engineers, housekeepers, and many others), relying on both qualitative and quantitative surveys, as well as agile and lean learning techniques. Hilton then developed detailed hypotheses of what this platform should include – both the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and various iterations of a production-ready model. The next step was to prototype various components of the guest entertainment and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions with team members and guests. That helps Hilton stay agile and quickly adjust. The deployment plan for Connected Room closely mirrors Digital Key’s: prove the concept at a small subset of hotels, which is happening now, and then scale rapidly once the technology is proven. For example, the digital experience of Connected Room involves multiple components: the Hilton Honors app, connected IoT devices, and the TV screen menu – not to mention traditional light switches, TV remotes, door locks, and more. For the best possible guest experience, all these parts must work well together. Throughout testing, Hilton has swapped out the physical remote control multiple times to find the most suitable device. The company’s approach is that trial and error isn’t a failure but a learning opportunity, which we quickly address and keep moving. Although still in early stages, Connected Room has garnered intense interest from hotel owners and extensive media coverage as the hotel room of the future. Hilton has deployed the basic platform to nearly 500 real hotel rooms, with several thousand to deploy later this year. Early feedback from guests and team members through qualitative and quantitative research is highly positive, with many offering suggestions and preferences to inform its development path.
Who worked on the project?
Hilton Digital & IT, Josh Weiss Vice President Brands & Guest Technology - Hilton, Durga Prasad Koka, Vice President Technical Architect - Hilton, Rajesh Nair, Senior Director Back Office Architect - Hilton
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0KKG5ZdBq0&t=6s
Conrad Algarve
Why is this project worthy of an award?
We used this website redesign as an opportunity to do things differently. Taking our work to the next level in terms of design, content strategy, UX and technology.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
We explored innovative design and development techniques providing guests with immersive content, innovative functionality, relevant hotel information and an intuitive booking experience. Guests can even personalize their stay based on occasion, experience, and much more!
Who worked on the project?
[D³] Design, Delivery + Development, Hilton
View the project video: https://youtu.be/bQ9Swxf5eV4
