Overview

This MA industry project, developed with EDF, explored how life transitions can trigger changes in behaviour and be an opportunity to prompt adoption of energy-saving behaviours. Through exploratory user research, sprint-based ideation and iterative prototyping, our team designed Switchy, a mobile planner that supports healthy routines while nudging users to shift energy use away from peak times.

EDF Switchy App

UX and Service Design MA | Industry Group Project

My Role

I took a leading role in facilitating the project process and liaising with the client. I supported collaboration throughout research and sprint planning, guided early-stage mapping and ideation, led user interviews, and helped define design principles and feature priorities.

(Representation of the process and methods used in this project, roughly following the double diamond format.)

(Photo of the team working on initial exploration planning, using 5W1H method, and photos of assumption prioritisation matrices before and after research.)

User Research

I led interviews with six participants who had experience transitioning to remote or hybrid work, to discuss their journey, needs and pain points.
In interviews timeline mapping tasks were used to prompt recall and explore motivations.
We conducted short-term diary studies with four participants to understand energy habits and routines.

The Challenge

EDF’s brief highlighted an opportunity: “Interventions that coincide with changes in living situations offer a unique opportunity for long-lasting improvements [to energy behaviour].” Our goal was to explore how life transitions, like starting remote work, could be leveraged to encourage energy-saving behaviours and investment. The challenge was to:

Identify a relevant life change with behavioural potential
Understand user needs and motivations during this transition
Design a solution that aligns the business goal with user motivation

(Photos of our initial persona and user journey from collaborative analysis.)

The Process

1. Research: Discovery

We worked with EDF to refine the brief’s focus, and then used tactical questions to guide secondary and primary research.

Narrowing Focus

We used 5W1H brainstorming to explore life changes and potential target users.
We chose to prioritise “transitioning to remote work” for its relevance and behavioural potential.
We applied a prioritisation matrix to initial assumptions to shape research questions, these used for exploratory secondary research.

(Images of refined versions of the our user journey, illustrating the opportunity we selected, for presentations to clients.)

2. Research: Define

The define stage was critical to develop a united vision of our users and the opportunity. We synthesised findings into a user persona and journey. Through this analysis a key behavioural tension emerged when starting remote work: the gap between expected and actual work/life balance in remote work. This moment of frustration became a strategic opportunity to align energy-saving behaviours with users’ desire for change.

3. Design: Develop

We followed a sprint-based design process throughout the development and delivery stages, adapted to EDF’s timeline. I led this phase, guiding ideation and concept development, to find an outcome best suited to the client and users.

Mapping

To clarify the project’s direction, we mapped out opportunities.

I shifted the team from rigid mapping tools to flexible brainstorming, to work through blocks in thinking.
I proposed a Venn diagram to visualise overlap between EDF’s goals and user needs.
We identified behavioural opportunities around energy shifting during peak hours, these times defined by the traditional work day.
We framed our guiding question: How might we help remote workers shift energy use while improving work-life balance?

(Image of our refined persona used throughout the design process.)

(Photo the team working on brainstorming during design sprint and a refined version of the Venn diagram made with key quotes from participants as presented to client)

Sketching

We used rapid ideation to generate and share early concepts.

Collective Ideation: I facilitated a modified Crazy 8 sketching session to encourage divergent thinking.
Idear Sharing: Encouraged open sharing and idea building through discussion.

Decide

A number of high level concepts emerged, and we worked to select the best for development in line with our brief.

I led team discussions to collaboratively evaluate ideas against client aims.
We selected the “work and energy routine planner” concept for its holistic potential through spot voting.
Used MoSCoW prioritisation framework to define an appropriate feature scope.

(Presentation of our MoSCoW product future brainstorming.)

Key design questions explored:

How much control should the app take vs. the user?
Should there be a social element to reduce remote work isolation?
How visible should EDF branding be to build trust?
Is this primarily an energy app or a routine planner?

Design Principles

While addressing these questions, we defined four principles to guide design and unify team understanding:

4. Design: Delivery

3. Design: Delivery

Prototype and Test

We created a storyboard to illustrate concept flow and focus on behavioural framing without UI distractions.
Conducted storyboard walkthroughs with remote workers to test tone, fit, and perceived value
Refined features, strengthened behavioural alignment and UI based on feedback.

(Photo of our initial sketch of the product story board and a refined version as presented to participants for testing with examples of positive and negative feedback)

The Solution

We presented our final design to EDF in a client meeting, where I delivered the Q&A section.

Switchy helps remote workers build better routines while saving energy. It integrates with users’ calendars and uses behavioural nudges to shift energy use away from peak times while ensuring the user ‘switch off’ from work.

Personalised AI Routine Assistant: Suggests tasks and habits tailored to user behaviour and grid demand. Giving timely notification to help prompt positive work/energy habits.
Intuitive Dashboard: Offers a clear view of energy use and progress over time. Allowing broader energy education.
Seasonal Roundups: Delivers fun, persona-based summaries of energy and work behaviours. Designed as a motivator more aligned with user ambitions for self-improvement Balance than competitive points systems.

(Images of Switchy app screen UI, used to illustrate concept to clients.)

(Image of final version of product story board, delivered as a deliverable of the project.)

Reflection & Outcome

The concept was well received by EDF stakeholders. Giving them insights in to how behavioural design can align user wellbeing with sustainability goals.
I was praised by the client for my Q&A facilitation and communication skills.
Skills developed centred on collaboration, organisation, and stakeholder communication.