Surface Co-Design
Microsoft Surface Application (for NCR)
A competition was launched by NCR, with an open brief to design a multi-user application for use on the Microsoft Surface. Surface Co-Design is an application aimed at elderly and less-able users who want to design. These users often find difficulty in using keyboards and mice, which creates a barrier between them and the ability to design something on a computer. Working on a surface brings opportunity for the users to design something without barriers.
The application itself is focused on designing an interface for mobile, web or touchscreen. Using strong contrasts, bold colours and visually recognisable icons are key to the success of this application. The toolbox for example, where the user finds the items they want, visually represents a toolbox. It also opens in the same way you would open a toolbox - an advantage the surface has over traditional methods. The workspace is simple, but flexible. At any time, the workspace can be spun to suit other people at the table. At any point, a pen (recognised by the surface) allows users to annotate anywhere on the page - whether they want to scribble an idea quickly or just doodle. With multi-user capability, elderly users can work as a team with professional designers to create strong user interface prototypes.
I developed a series of screenshots simulating how the application would operate on the surface to present to NCR. I really enjoyed developing the idea, and was highly commended for my efforts.
