DropBy
Redefining how remote teams connect, collaborate, and feel present
Role
Design, Research /Group Project
Timeline
Jan-2025 to April 2025
Team
Pramet, Shrushti, Shubham, Tanishka
Tools
Figma
Summary & Impact
This project explores how a digital remote workspace can go beyond tools and tasks to create an environment that feels welcoming, engaging, and socially alive. By blending functional workflows with social presence cues, the experience aims to support both productivity and human connection.
The approach helps reduce feelings of isolation, improves team belonging, and increases motivation in remote work setups. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform virtual workspaces into meaningful, community-driven experiences.
/01
Project Overview
This project is an exploration of what it truly means to work remotely today. Not from a task management or productivity lens — but from a human one. Through extensive research, conversations and lived observations, we set out to understand the unseen struggles of remote employees.
Preliminary Brief :
➡️ Loneliness — workers miss casual connections.
➡️ FOMO — teams bond in meetups, leaving some isolated and unmotivated.
This affects productivity too.
Our goal: enhance remote work for better well-being and productivity, based on research.
/02
Who are we designing for?
Our platform is designed for remote-first teams and professionals who seek structure, connection, and joy in their daily workflows
Age Group: 21-45 year old
Experience: Everyone from freshers to experienced managers
Location: Remote workers span across urban and rural areas, as well as diverse countries
/03
Digging deeper into the research
Major problem faced by remote workers Is Feeling isolated and Disconnected from Colleagues
36.8%
Feeling isolated or disconnected from colleagues
31.6%
Difficulty staying motivated & focused
28.9%
Work-life balance issues
35.9%
Lack of a proper workspace at home
18.4%
Sedentary lifestyle & health concerns
48.7%
Distractions from family or surroundings
1-6 months
16%
worked remotely for 1 to 6 months.
6-12 months
16.8%
worked remotely for 6 months to 1 year.
1 Year +
58%
worked remotely for over a year.
Key Takeaways
Maximum Respondents have Worked remotely for more than a year
58% of remote workers miss in-office interactions like tea breaks or spontaneous chats
41% of remote workers Rarely engage in Non-Work Conversations with Colleagues
What we have understood
Our research from surveys, interviews, and focus groups revealed one thing clearly — in most remote setups, conversations are limited to work. Real human connection is missing, and teams feel disconnected.
The Shift We Want to Create
We don’t just want to improve work tools. We want to help remote teammates discover personalities behind the profiles, share a laugh, swap playlists, and build bonds beyond deadlines.
That brings us down to our Problem Statement
Remote work feels disconnected due to isolation and a lack of spontaneous interactions. Existing tools focus too much on tasks, neglecting social bonding and well-being. Our goal is to create a digital workspace that seamlessly integrates productivity with meaningful connections.
/04
Proposed Solution
Concept Sketch: The Desk
This is our first draft visualization of the Desk — the central feature. It’s designed as a personal space where colleagues can express their personality, interests, and work style. From pet photos to playlists, the desk itself becomes a conversation starter for colleagues
What about other tools?
Every other feature in our platform — from productivity tools to team collaboration and communities — revolves around this central UI. The desk acts as both an ice-breaker and an anchor, helping users connect naturally without forced interaction.
This sketch marks the transition from ideation to a focused, experience-driven solution.
/05
Design
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