Rotterdam 24/7

Rotterdam 24/7

Mertodikromo, S.H.

Sonneveld, M. (mentor)
Jepma, E.J. (mentor)
Jansen, F. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

Master of Science Design for Interaction

2013-11-26

CO3 Rotterdam’s ultimate goal is to increase the bustle of the city. They believe that flexworkers have a greater influence on the activity in the city during the day (and night), than people with a fixed ‘9 to 5’ workday, since flexworkers move throughout the city in order to find a place to work at. Therefor the focus of this graduation project is on ‘flexworkers’. In the end it is expected to create a product that contri- butes to the flexible life of this target group. In order to design a product that fits the needs of the flexworker, a lot of effort is put on finding out what this group of people experience during their days when working flexible. Not only during a field re- search to experience what it is like to be a flexworker moving through the city, but also by actually getting in touch with professional flexwor- kers. Access to the target group’s experiences is gained in the target group research by exploring what flexworkers do, by observing what they use, by uncovering what they know and by listening to what these flexworkers have to say. Flexworkers are not utilizing the opportunities that the city has to offer to the fullest, since the total offer of workspots is not clear to them. It is notable that flexworkers often choose to work at one or two favou- rite places, but to make a deliberate choice for a new and inspiring workspot that suits the work that needs to be done, the right informa- tion is simply missing. They not only want to know whére they can work, but also hów they can work. Since the flexible workspots are spread all over the city, flexworkers never know who they might encounter. However, flexworkers have a clear opinion of their peers: you need to stay in touch and stimulate proper working. They feel it is important to be able to mean something to one another even if they are apart from each other. This form of personal contact seems to be generally appreciated; even if peo- ple are busy, they make time available for it. Networking is of great importance to flexworkers. They believe that they are able to help each other when necessary. Sharing of information and knowledge (kruisbestuiving) is a mindset, an idea that every flexworker agrees with. To set a direction for the concept to be designed, a vision has been formulated: “I would like flexworkers to be aware of the possibilities the city has to offer when they are in search for a workspot and I want them to feel assured that there is always a connection between them and someone else in the community of flexworkers....” The final concept is called ‘Flexify’. With this application flexworkers are able to find new and inspiring places to work at, depending on the type of work that needs to be done, instead of doing their work at home or at their offices. Flexworkers can share and recommend their location with other flex- workers in order to let them know what kind of flexible workspots the city has to offer. Via this way, flexers can stimulate other flexers to discover places that are new to them. ‘Flexify’ also creates a community in which flexworkers can connect kindred or other (available) flexers, at the moment they feel the need to meet somebody in order to get inspired, to brainstorm or to get any type of stimulation. ‘Flexify’ simply helps flexworkers to find their spot and to discover the city!

flexworker
flexer
Rotterdam
application
bustle
networking
flexible workspot

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:11e5a236-5054-4edf-a6b0-738503d06d6f

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2013 Mertodikromo, S.H.