How to choose a research space?
Maria Kurasz
A well-designed research space should respond to current trends, provide a wide range of opportunities for experts and comfort for research participants. With this approach, comprehensive research services will meet the expectations of entrepreneurs, who are increasingly willing to use product and service research. What is worth considering when choosing a research space? And does the relatively new venue, Lab150, stand out from the competition in this regard? Maria Kurasz, Business Development Manager at Lab150, tells the story.
What kind of research space does Lab150 have?
It is both a Living Lab space, i.e. a focus room and free arrangement space, but also a 3D mapping room, an acoustic studio, a photography studio or a materials library. All of these help companies at the research stage of the design process.
However, research usually takes place in the Living Lab area?
Yes, we have a display space there, which is 400 sqm. Within its framework, we are able to design and create even several options for the arrangement of one area. With help come walls created in a modular system, with the possibility of spacing every 50, 100, 200 cm. In this part of the Lab, we arrange, for example, residential and store spaces, public spaces or others, which we can easily adjust and change to the needs of a particular study.
What other Living Lab solutions are worth looking at?
There are many of them! For example, we decided not to have a Venetian mirror to indicate that the focus research participants were being watched. We wanted everyone to feel as comfortable as possible. So we mounted 360-degree cameras, which allow the operator to record the reactions of the study participants without making the respondents feel uncomfortable or distrustful.
In addition, the Living Lab is equipped with specialized microphones that allow us to record with great accuracy the course of the study. This has a very great impact on the quality of the survey, and thanks to the careful and proper distribution of microphones in the space, we do not create situations in which individual statements, the effect of first impressions or spontaneous reactions from the room can be missed. We have the right equipment to collect both individual opinions and group discussions and exchanges. We have a professional viewing room, from which our specialists monitor the entire project, and clients can watch the respondents being interviewed on the screen.
It's also worth noting the light fixtures mounted on rails, which allow the lighting to be moderated via an app on the phone, which can be accessed by both the moderator and the researcher staying with the focus group.
And as they say in the Islands, last but not least, what also sets us apart is the ability to set up large-scale displays, such as cars, yachts and RVs. The Living Lab has designed the entrance gate so that size is not an obstacle. In addition, the space has been secured and reinforced so that the ceiling can withstand under pressure even very heavy displays.
Sounds impressive! However, research is not just about infrastructure. Tell us more about the experts working on research in the Lab.
Concordia Design's research team and experts are always there to support product testing, market analysis, competitive analysis and other product development research areas. In addition to their excellent competence, our people are well versed in the opportunities offered by the Lab space, the use of which does not necessarily come naturally to an outsider. We also give you the opportunity to rent space to outside researchers.
Testing or research is often considered as part of a comprehensive support. Combining Concordia Design's consulting and Lab150's technology support, we have a full view of the challenges
faced by start-ups or companies implementing a new/improved product , so we are able to advise not only on choosing the right material for prototyping or product implementation strategy, but also on such issues as, for example, creating a business model, implementation plan, implementing process optimization or obtaining project funding.
What sets Lab150 apart from other research spaces?
Certainly the comprehensive approach and attention to technical details described above. Our distinctive feature is also an exceptional team. But a completely unique issue is the testing of the prototype. A company that comes to us with an idea or design for a given product is given the opportunity to test the very effect of the actions taken in our prototyping room. This is very important, because the prototype may be perfect in terms of technology or functionality, but it is the real user, not the designer, architect or technologist, who will catch the most important issues. That's why testing and researching the prototype is extremely important to us.
Prototypes are associated with start-ups. For which companies and industries is the Lab's offering created?
The spectrum of our support includes Start-ups as well as SME companies. We work with any product that is to be implemented on the market with the help of materials available in our rich, constantly expanding library and beyond. To date, Concordia Design and Lab150 experts have worked with industries such as furniture, logistics, interiors, food, music, construction, banking, automotive, medical, music, jewelry, children's or new technologies. If a project requires expert support in programming or electronics, we work closely with trusted, experienced entities on such challenges. We do not close ourselves to any industry. On the contrary, we look forward to the next challenges!
