We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Hanhui Li about their original and creative Office Desk Booking Software design work. Hanhui Li is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original office desk booking software works.
Hanhui Li ("HL") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Desky Office Desk Booking Software. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
HL : The main principle behind Desky is to enhance the hybrid work experience by making it easier for employees to plan their office visits. The inspiration came from observing the challenges people faced in transitioning back to the office post-pandemic, particularly the lack of motivation and the struggle with commuting. Desky aims to bridge this gap by providing a seamless and engaging way to manage office presence.
HL : The main focus in designing Desky was to create a user-friendly platform that simplifies the hybrid work model. I wanted to achieve a design that helps employees make informed decisions about their office visits, promotes collaboration, and fosters a connected office culture.
HL : Future plans for Desky include incorporating user feedback to further refine its features, exploring integrations with other workplace tools, and potentially partnering with organizations to implement Desky on a larger scale. The goal is to continuously improve the user experience and expand its reach.
HL : Designing Desky took approximately six months, from initial concept to final prototype. This period included extensive research, user testing, and multiple iterations to ensure the design met user needs effectively.
HL : I decided to pursue Desky out of personal inspiration, driven by the need to address the challenges of hybrid work post-pandemic. The idea was to create a tool that would make the return to office more manageable and enjoyable for employees.
HL : Currently, I am exploring opportunities to partner with companies to implement Desky. I am open to selling or leasing the production rights to organizations that align with the vision of improving the hybrid work experience.
HL : The realization that many people were struggling with the hybrid work model, particularly the transition back to the office, motivated me to design Desky. I wanted to create a solution that could help ease this transition and improve overall workplace satisfaction.
HL : Yes, various workplace management tools and collaboration platforms influenced the design of Desky. Additionally, I sought feedback from other designers and workplace professionals to ensure the design addressed real-world needs effectively.
HL : The target customers for Desky are organizations implementing a hybrid work model, as well as employees who need an efficient way to plan their office visits and enhance their in-office collaboration.
HL : Desky stands out due to its comprehensive and user-centric approach to managing the hybrid work experience. Unlike traditional workplace management tools, Desky integrates social and collaborative elements, such as colleague schedule tracking and interactive office maps with event highlights. These features not only enhance productivity but also foster a more connected and engaged office environment. Additionally, Desky is designed to make planning the work week enjoyable and engaging. By incorporating playful elements and intuitive interfaces, it turns the often mundane task of scheduling into a fun and seamless experience, helping employees look forward to their office visits and collaboration opportunities.
HL : The name "Desky" reflects the core functionality of the platform—managing desk bookings and office schedules. It’s simple, memorable, and directly conveys the purpose of the tool.
HL : For Desky, I primarily used Figma for designing the interface and creating interactive prototypes.
HL : The most unique aspect of Desky is its focus on enhancing the hybrid work experience by integrating social and collaborative elements. Features like colleague schedule tracking and interactive office maps with event highlights set it apart from traditional workplace management tools.
HL : I worked on Desky entirely solo, which allowed me to have complete creative control and ensure that every aspect of the design aligned with my vision. However, I did reach out to other designers for feedback. Their insights were invaluable in refining the design and ensuring it met high standards of usability and aesthetics.
HL : Technology plays a central role in Desky, enabling seamless integration with existing workplace tools and providing a smooth user experience. Advanced features like real-time updates, interactive maps, and automated notifications rely heavily on technological infrastructure.
HL : Yes, Desky is heavily influenced by data and user research. I conducted surveys, interviews, and usability tests to gather insights into the needs and preferences of employees and employers in a hybrid work setting. This research informed the design features and functionality.
HL : One of the main challenges I faced was figuring out how to present information intuitively on the screen without overwhelming the user. Balancing the need to provide comprehensive functionality with the goal of maintaining a clean and user-friendly interface was difficult. It required extensive user testing and iteration to ensure that all features were easily accessible and that the design remained simple and engaging. This involved making tough decisions about which elements to include on each screen and how to organize them in a way that supported the user's workflow seamlessly.
HL : I decided to submit my design to an international design competition thanks to the encouragement from my mentor. She recognized the potential impact of Desky and believed that it would benefit from the broader recognition and feedback that such a competition could provide. Their support and belief in my work gave me the confidence to present Desky on a global stage, showcasing its innovative approach to enhancing the hybrid work experience.
HL : Designing Desky taught me the importance of user feedback and iterative design. It reinforced the value of empathy in understanding user needs and highlighted the necessity of flexibility and adaptability in the design process.
