Virginia Tech Newman Library

Space Optimization Design

Facing the challenge of exam preparation is a common experience for college students, often accompanied by frustration due to limited access to assistance. Currently, Newman Library’s tutoring sessions focus mainly on math subjects and require students to schedule appointments in advance, creating a barrier for those needing immediate help. Meanwhile, the off-campus on-demand center, while offering more flexibility, introduces another level of inconvenience with its location and accessibility issues. This gap leaves many students struggling to find timely and effective support during critical study periods. To address these challenges, my design solution integrates 2D, 3D, and 4D touchpoints throughout the user journey, optimizing space and enhancing the overall learning experience. By strategically implementing these multi-dimensional elements, the design aims to create a more dynamic and accessible environment, making academic support readily available where and when students need it most.

UI & UX Design

Full Dashboard
Full Dashboard
Full Dashboard
Extracted currency modules
Extracted currency modules
Extracted currency modules

Purpose of the App


Replenish is a comprehensive solution designed to make sustainable grocery shopping and waste reduction simple, accessible, and rewarding for residents of Rural Virginia.


Key Features:


  1. Sustainable Packaging: Groceries are delivered in eco-friendly, reusable packaging, helping to reduce food and packaging waste.

  2. Convenient Grocery Delivery: The app connects users with local drivers who deliver fresh, locally-sourced groceries directly to their homes, ensuring convenience and sustainability.

  3. Trash Collection System: Users can schedule trash pickups at convenient times and locations, which is particularly beneficial in areas with limited waste management infrastructure.

  4. Rewards Program: Users earn reward points for every waste-reducing action taken through the app, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.


Replenish, co-founded by Rachael Quan, Karina Springer, and Sharon Chen, is a community-driven initiative that makes sustainability accessible and beneficial for all. By joining Replenish, users contribute to a greener future while enjoying the convenience of a comprehensive solution.

Design Solution


Replenish is a comprehensive solution designed to make sustainable grocery shopping and waste reduction simple, accessible, and rewarding for Rural Virginia residents by exploring eco-friendly practices that support a more sustainable food ecosystem.


Key Features of the App:


Sustainable Packaging: Groceries are delivered in eco-friendly, reusable packaging, helping to reduce food and packaging waste.

  • Convenient Grocery Delivery: The app connects users with local drivers who deliver fresh, locally-sourced groceries directly to their homes, ensuring convenience and sustainability.

  • Trash Collection System: Users can schedule trash pickups at convenient times and locations, which is particularly beneficial in areas with limited waste management infrastructure.

  • Rewards Program: Users earn reward points for every waste-reducing action taken through the app, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.

  • Impact Tracker: The app features a tracker that shows users the positive consequences of their waste-reducing efforts, providing motivation and visibility into their environmental impact.

Identified Issues


Situated on the second floor of Newman Library, this challenging space is currently discreetly tucked away in a back corner, making it somewhat elusive to locate. Presently repurposed as storage for surplus equipment and furniture, its potential remains untapped. The "walls," in the form of movable dividers, fall short in providing the necessary privacy for ongoing activities.

Envisioned Implementations


The envisioned transformation involves establishing a centralized hub for on-demand academic support across various subjects. The goals of this new space aims to:

  • Function seamlessly as an easily accessible tutoring center, offering on-demand services for all students

  • Cultivate an environment where students feel empowered to seek extra help without the burden of embarrassment

  • Feature enclosed rooms for privacy and walls equipped as whiteboards

  • Incorporate wayfinding and 3D elements to ensure easy discovery within the library space

Workshops


Workshops proved instrumental in gaining insights into the user perspective. The immersive process not only enhanced understanding but also revealed the critical significance of elements like wayfinding. Through hands-on experimentation, the exploration of user needs and preferences became a pivotal aspect, shaping a comprehensive perspective on design that extends beyond aesthetics to prioritize user experience and navigation clarity.

2D Applications


After workshopping, I implemented 2D applications like engaging wall graphics that reflect the learning center's identity, carpeted flooring to enhance ambiance and functionality, and whiteboard spaces to make the tutoring area more effective for problem-solving during sessions.



3D Applications


To bring my vision to life, I used the premier 3D design software, SketchUp, to create a rudimentary design. This approach allowed me to experiment with how the 2D elements would interact with additional 3D elements like enclosed tutoring areas and furniture, ensuring a cohesive and functional space layout for the library.




3D Applications


To bring my vision to life, I used the premier 3D design software, SketchUp, to create a rudimentary design. This approach allowed me to experiment with how the 2D elements would interact with additional 3D elements like enclosed tutoring areas and furniture, ensuring a cohesive and functional space layout for the library.




2D Applications


After workshopping, I implemented 2D applications like engaging wall graphics that reflect the learning center's identity, carpeted flooring to enhance ambiance and functionality, and whiteboard spaces to make the tutoring area more effective for problem-solving during sessions.



Combining 2D and 3D Elements


From here, I compiled all the elements into the final design, integrating both the 2D and 3D components. Listed below, you’ll see a breakdown of these elements, including the addition of a kiosk to introduce a 4D aspect. After checking in at the kiosk, students will be able to view the queue in a mobile app and receive real-time updates on their mobile devices, enhancing the overall functionality and user experience of the library space.




Mobile Interface


Below is a snapshot of the mobile interface for the kiosk, showing how students can track their queue status and receive updates directly on their phones. This system not only streamlines the check-in process but also optimizes the use of time for both students and tutors.




Final Concept


This project effectively addresses the key challenges faced by students, such as limited access to immediate assistance and scheduling barriers. By integrating 2D, 3D, and 4D elements, the final design offers a dynamic and accessible solution that significantly enhances the learning experience and ensures timely academic support when needed most.