Plantronics // Music @ Work

PROJECT/

Plantronics is best known as a maker of telephone headsets.  But even in 2007, when we did this project, the web was rapidly becoming the preferred conduit for communication, voice and otherwise.  Plantronics came to Thing Tank to understand this shifting landscape and how people were adapting to it.

We started by interviewing office workers in their workplaces to understand how they accessed audio through their computers, from music to web meetings.  Again and again, we heard stories of how annoying they found bluetooth headsets, and the people who use them.  One reason was bad behavior by a few early adopters.  But at a deeper level, having that thing in one ear breaks a social contract.  If I’m wearing one, you can’t tell if I’m talking to you, or I’m on the phone with someone else.  Do I value the conversation I’m having with you, or am I just waiting for someone more important to call?  The social cue that holding a phone to your head sends is unambiguous.  I’m on the phone!  Ditto for headphones.  They say, “ I can’t hear you!”

Based on these and other insights we developed range of design concepts for personal listening/talking devices that sent the right social cues, but were feasible using existing headset technology.  We didn’t just suggest how these designs could be executed, we created beautiful looks-like prototypes.  That way we could experience them in their natural habitat—on your head!

RESULT/

The Music @ Work project gave Plantronics a new perspective on the roles that social cues, vanity and materiality can play in their products.  We went on to do more good work with them bringing the world of people and devices closer together.