Studio Tast

Project type

Interaction design - Physical-Digital

Client

Studio Tast

Role

UX Designer

Timeframe

8 weeks

Studio Tast creates tangible learning experiences based on the belief that everyone learns, experiences, and communicates differently.

After client meetings, visitors receive one of nine handcrafted cubes containing a hidden QR code that unlocks a personalised digital experience centred around a conversation prompt. While the physical object successfully sparked curiosity, the digital experience failed to sustain it. My role was to redesign the platform, creating a seamless transition between the physical and digital experience while encouraging meaningful participation.

I mapped the complete user journey, from receiving the cube to scanning it for the first time, and found a critical gap. Users arrived at the experience at peak curiosity but with almost no context, and the platform failed to maintain that momentum. Research with both business professionals and peers revealed the same pattern: people were unsure what was expected of them, creating uncertainty and early drop-off. Even participants with design backgrounds struggled to understand the experience. Another key insight was that the quality of a prompt directly influenced engagement. Personal, genuinely curious questions consistently encouraged richer responses than generic, business-oriented prompts.

Design Challenges

01 / Bridging the physical and digital The transition from the physical cube to the digital experience needed to feel intentional rather than simply opening a webpage. At the same time, each cube required a unique identity without adding complexity for users. 02 / Personalisation without friction The experience needed to recognise individual users while preserving trust. This meant creating a personalised journey without requiring accounts, registration, or unnecessary data collection. 03 / Encouraging meaningful participation The platform needed to invite genuine reflection while expressing Studio Tast's identity. Every interaction had to feel personal, engaging, and worth contributing to.

The project focused on translating these insights into a cohesive experience. I explored how the physical cube, onboarding flow, question prompts, and shared environment could work together to sustain curiosity from the moment someone picked up the object to their first interaction online. Each iteration aimed to reduce uncertainty, lower the barrier to participation, and create an experience that felt personal without adding unnecessary friction.

The cube

The physical cube features sliding panels that reveal puzzle pieces which assemble into a QR code. Building it creates a sense of ownership, while each unique configuration acts as the cube's identifier—eliminating the need for user accounts and reflecting Studio Tast's philosophy of learning through doing.

The cube

The physical cube features sliding panels that reveal puzzle pieces which assemble into a QR code. Building it creates a sense of ownership, while each unique configuration acts as the cube's identifier—eliminating the need for user accounts and reflecting Studio Tast's philosophy of learning through doing.

The cube

The physical cube features sliding panels that reveal puzzle pieces which assemble into a QR code. Building it creates a sense of ownership, while each unique configuration acts as the cube's identifier—eliminating the need for user accounts and reflecting Studio Tast's philosophy of learning through doing.

The Introduction

The onboarding experience introduces Studio Tast, explains the concept, and presents a digital version of the user's own cube before they begin. Clear guidance, a progress indicator, and simple interaction cues help users enter the experience with confidence.

The Introduction

The onboarding experience introduces Studio Tast, explains the concept, and presents a digital version of the user's own cube before they begin. Clear guidance, a progress indicator, and simple interaction cues help users enter the experience with confidence.

The Introduction

The onboarding experience introduces Studio Tast, explains the concept, and presents a digital version of the user's own cube before they begin. Clear guidance, a progress indicator, and simple interaction cues help users enter the experience with confidence.

The Experience

Opening the digital cube reveals a conversation prompt that remains visible while users write their response. If a prompt doesn't resonate, users can generate another-an addition driven directly by user testing to reduce friction while maintaining engagement.

The Experience

Opening the digital cube reveals a conversation prompt that remains visible while users write their response. If a prompt doesn't resonate, users can generate another-an addition driven directly by user testing to reduce friction while maintaining engagement.

The Experience

Opening the digital cube reveals a conversation prompt that remains visible while users write their response. If a prompt doesn't resonate, users can generate another-an addition driven directly by user testing to reduce friction while maintaining engagement.

The Shared Space

Responses are published into a shared 3D environment where every participant is represented by their cube. Users can explore others' answers, locate their own contribution, and optionally connect through LinkedIn or email. Moving away from anonymous responses made the experience feel more authentic, reinforcing the sense that real people, not just content, were at the centre of the experience.

The Shared Space

Responses are published into a shared 3D environment where every participant is represented by their cube. Users can explore others' answers, locate their own contribution, and optionally connect through LinkedIn or email. Moving away from anonymous responses made the experience feel more authentic, reinforcing the sense that real people, not just content, were at the centre of the experience.

The Shared Space

Responses are published into a shared 3D environment where every participant is represented by their cube. Users can explore others' answers, locate their own contribution, and optionally connect through LinkedIn or email. Moving away from anonymous responses made the experience feel more authentic, reinforcing the sense that real people, not just content, were at the centre of the experience.

Reflection

This project taught me that curiosity is fragile. The physical product had already done the hard work of creating anticipation, the challenge was ensuring the digital experience lived up to that promise. Rather than treating the website as a destination, I designed it as a continuation of the object itself, preserving momentum, building trust, and encouraging meaningful conversation.