Experience Design (2026)

This semester-long project for Experience Design explored how one idea can either make a positive or negative impact on an ongoing action. The prototype was designed to help users be off their devices while visiting a restaurant. While participating in the program, the users can earn a prize depending on the number of times they are off their devices, and once the visit is complete.

The project focused not only on increasing human contact while keeping the experience entertaining, but also on providing a respectful reason for users to visit often. Through this design, I explored user experience, developed accurate prototypes, and addressed the challenge of increasing people-to-people interaction in a restaurant while decreasing people-to-device interactions.

At the beginning of the initial research, we designed a sequence of questions to ask different age groups. The results were similar between each one regarding the increase in technology interaction in restaurants. Below are the research insights.

Below are mock-up sketches of the boxes and coupons. On the left was the first, original concept for the box, being an actual chest and a creative design towards the program. On the right is the redraw of the high-fidelity prototype with an improved design, including a calculator to help calculate how many times the box was opened. On the far right are ideas for potential coupon prizes for the restaurant to give away.

No Device Program

The project we decided on was to implement a ‘No Device Program’ in which customers can participate. Users who participate will put their devices away for the duration of their visit. The number of times they look at their devices will alter their ability to receive a prize. Below are the rules for the participants in the program.

Sketches of Prototypes

Low-Fidelity Prototypes

The prototype on the left is made out of an old pencil bow with paper material made up into buttons. The white cord on the side connects the mockup sensor button to the back counter for how many times the box has been opened. The prototype on the right is made out of an old tissue box, dolled up in black marker.

Final Prototype

This is the final prototype, made out of a wooden box shaped like a chest. It is painted black and red as it fits most restaurant color schemes. On top is a sign for the program called “Devices Away, Prize Give Away.” This helps users understand how the program works, and if they participate, they can win a prize for their next visit. What changed from the previous prototypes is that we took out the sensor button and counter on the back because we didn’t have the material or money to create a very high-fidelity prototype.