UX Case Study
Cuube
Cuube – B2B | Web App | Industry(Remote Workspace Software)
Designing Cuube – A Web App That Reimagines Remote Workspaces by Bridging the Human Gap of Connection, Conversation & Culture in a Digitally Isolated World
Cuube is a B2B web app designed to solve the emotional disconnect of remote work. Through features like virtual cubicles, interest-based communities, and chat nudges, it reimagines digital workspaces to feel more human, social, and connected.
Shubham Mestry
(UX Designer)
shubhammestry582@gmail.com
/shubhammestry
Overview
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.
Our Design Team:
Shubham (V1 & V2)
Prameet
Tanishka
Shrushti
How It All Started
This wasn’t a project born in a boardroom. It began in our own homes, in everyday moments.
One of our teammates noticed her father — a lively, social man — go unusually quiet while working remotely after an accident. Another observed how remote workers, starved of casual conversations, started gathering at gyms and cafés just to feel connected to other people.
As we spoke about these moments, one thing became clear: remote working isn’t just a trend — it’s the future. And yet, it’s missing something very human. That’s when we decided to dive deeper into this space and understand what truly happens behind those quiet, remote screens.
Preliminary Brief
We found two major issues in remote work:
Loneliness — workers miss casual connections.
FOMO — teams bond in meet-ups, leaving some isolated and unmotivated.
This affects productivity too. Our goal: enhance remote work for better well-being and productivity, based on research.
Our Mission
“Our mission is to design a digital workspace that reimagines remote work by fostering human connection, boosting productivity, and prioritizing mental well-being—making remote work feel less remote”
Skills Developed:
UX Strategy
Information Architecture
Wireframing
UI Design
Design Systems
Remote Collaboration
Why We Used the Double Diamond Design Process
The Double Diamond helped us move from exploring broad problems like isolation in remote work to building focused, human-centered solutions. It guided us from user research to defining key needs, then developing features like cubicles, chats, and communities — all supported by a cohesive design system.
SOLUTION SPACE
Don’t
Know
PROBLEM SPACE
problems
Discover
Domain Study
Business Objectives
User Research
Product Study
Competitor Analysis
Design Audits
Product Dissection
problems to solve
Define
UX Strategy
Content Strategy
Problem
Insights
Persona
Empathy Map
potential solutions
Design
User Journey
Information Architecture
Wireframes
Usability Testing
Visual Design
Interaction Design
future ready
Develop
Front End
Back End
Android/IOS
Design Systems
Framework
Documentation
Know
How
Solution
Who are we exactly designing for?
“A good design always starts with the keeping the core user in mind” so lets understand them 1st
Who are our users?
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
Secondary Research
Human-Centered Experience
Designing for belonging and emotional connection helps all workers thrive—no matter their personality
Personality Types (Introverts & Extroverts)
People respond differently to remote work—extroverts may crave more interaction, while introverts may prefer quiet focus
Mental Health in Digital Workspaces
Lack of boundaries, digital fatigue, and constant availability harm emotional well-being
Loneliness Epidemic
Lack of spontaneous interaction leads to disconnection, reduced team trust, and lower motivation
The loneliness crisis is growing.
Even in productive teams, many feel unseen. Introducing joyful rituals and micro-interactions can help recreate the “watercooler” moments that foster connection.
Mental health challenges are rising.
Prolonged isolation, blurred boundaries, and digital fatigue lead to stress and burnout. Our product subtly promotes wellness through breaks, reflections, and casual bonding.
Remote work affects personality types differently.
Introverts often thrive in quiet, flexible environments, while extroverts may miss spontaneous interactions and team energy. Designing inclusive spaces means balancing solitude with chances to connect.
Not all loneliness looks the same—introverts may internalize, extroverts may withdraw.
Emotional isolation often leads to burnout. Without community, work becomes draining
About our Research
Our Secondary Research is divided in 3 main components- Loneliness Epidemic, Personality Types and Mental Heath in Digital Workspaces.
Market Research
As teams go hybrid or fully remote, the need for tools that support emotional well-being, collaboration, and a sense of belonging is more important than ever
The future of work demands thoughtful, people-first remote environments that foster both productivity and connection
1 in 5
employees feel that the loneliness of remote working has affected their mental health.
82%
of employees express a desire to work remotely at least part-time, with 34% preferring full-time remote work.
74%
of companies plan to make remote work a permanent option, recognizing its benefits for employee satisfaction and retention
While remote work is here to stay, success lies in creating virtual environments that balance flexibility with meaningful interaction and emotional support
User Survey
To validate our assumptions with real remote workers, we conducted a user survey. A total of 39 remote professionals shared their experiences and challenges. Their honest feedback helped us uncover patterns and refine our problem statement.
Online Survey
36.8%
Feeling isolated or disconnected from colleagues
31.6%
Difficulty staying motivated & focused
28.9%
Work-life balance issues
18.4%
Sedentary lifestyle & health concerns
35.9%
Lack of a proper workspace at home
48.7%
Distractions from family or surroundings
We asked Open Question & Got amazing responses
If you could change one thing about remote work and collaboration, what would it be and why?
“I would want there to be more non-work related workshops or jamming sessions, something the entire team can look forward to.”
“I am done with the typical way of meeting, you just view the boxes
there should be a good interactive way of doing this.”
“I would focus on clear written communication. This would save time, reduce stress, and make remote work more efficient.”
“I would improve virtual communication to better convey non-verbal cues, making remote interactions more engaging and empathetic.”
“I would Suggest for enhance employee engagement and team cohesion by implementing structured virtual interactions, team-building activities, and better collaboration tools ”
“It’s difficult to interact in remote because there's no understanding of what people are doing or whether they're available”
Key Takeaway #1
Major problem faced by remote workers Is Feeling isolated and Disconnected from Colleagues
User Interviews
To dive deeper into real experiences, we interviewed 16 remote workers and 4 managers about their daily challenges. We also conducted two focus group discussions during the DevConf event by Red Hat.
Volunteering there for three days gave us a chance to connect closely with remote employees, hear their stories, and truly understand their routine struggles.
Stanly R
UX Designer at GreyOrange
Software Engineer
at Tracelink
“Now going to office feels like a leave because you meet new people there and have a chance to socialise with them .”
“Sometimes I do feel FOMO when the team goes out or orders lunch together. It’s like I’m just stuck working, working, working while they’re having fun..”
Shivam P
His company gave a Rs.3000 mental health coupon to every employee for gym, yoga, or therapy.
Believes regular in-person meetups are essential for emotional bonds and stronger, collaborative teamwork
Micromanagement kills focus and builds unnecessary fear, even when nothing’s wrong.
He felt emotionally disconnected from his team, missing casual bonding and spontaneous conversations.
The initial thrill of WFH fades over time and people start craving in-person connections again.
Constant, repetitive remote routines reduced his brain plasticity, making it harder to learn new things and stay mentally sharp.
Akshay G
“I would prefer not to work remotely in the coming years. Today also I have a feeling that I want to work from office because then I will have a chance to meet new people and socialise.”
“If I am working from home for a long time, then definitely it feels quite… the touch is lost. It seems like I have lost touch with my colleagues”
Aditi I
Developer at
Red Hat
Product Designer at Mercedes Benz
He prefers working from office now just to meet people and socialize — shows clear craving for human connection in work life.
Video calls lack non-verbal communication due to cameras being off, reducing engagement and connection.
Mental health programs and psychologists exist but rarely get used
“Brainstorming feels less effective when half the team is remote.”
Disconnection is real — working remotely feels isolating, and casual meetups once in 2 years aren’t enough.
If remote work is prolonged, the connection with colleagues and the feeling of working in an organization diminishes.
Yog
Manager at
Red Hat
“If people are only talking about work, it’s a sign they haven’t built a connection. Without personal bonding, productivity eventually drops.”
When people start talking casually, it means they feel safer, and collaboration naturally improves.
Spontaneous conversations, like coffee talks, don’t happen naturally over Google Meet.
It’s hard to build personal connections or influence team members remotely making it difficult to get things done.
Director (CA+CPA)
at OATS
“For the last 3 years it’s only been work-to-work conversations. What’s missing is that office vibe — cracking jokes, laughing together, enjoying work. That’s the real reason things feel off.”
Prittam J
Remote setups lack informal learning as seniors stay busy and skip casual discussions.
Work pressure and poor openness about problems exist — employees hesitate to share struggles
Productivity has dropped and team bonding is missing because most remote conversations are strictly work-related
Focus Group Discussion
The Objective was to understand the challenges, preferences, and best practices of remote work culture at Red Hat, focusing on employee engagement, productivity, and well-being.
Key Insights
Transition to Remote Work
Initially during Pandemic time we had excessive meetings, causing fatigue.
Companies adapted by reducing meetings and alternative ways like chat conversation and introducing Fun Fridays to enhance engagement.
Office vs. Remote Work Preferences
Extroverted employees prefer occasional office visits for social interactions.
Remote employees with global teams find office visits unnecessary as work remains digital.
Productivity & Motivation
Employees set quarterly goals (KPIs) linked to bonuses and growth opportunities.
Gamification strategies (leaderboards) suggested for tracking progress and motivation.
Office vs. Remote Work Preferences
Onboarding & trust-building take longer due to digital-only interactions.
Managers struggle to balance observation and micromanagement.
Virtual harassment concerns are being addressed through policy discussions.
Empathy Map
An empathy map helps us capture what users say, think, feel, and do—based on real research. It guides us in designing solutions that truly center around their needs and experiences.
Says
Thinks
Feels
Does
Organizes gaming sessions or hackathons to inject energy
Feels FOMO, disconnection, and emotional fatigue.
Juggling multiple design and collaboration tools leads to lost links and confusion.
Lacks spontaneous interactions that build real trust and camaraderie.
We need more human moments—laughs, chats, real bonding
Hopeful that remote culture can evolve to be more human
I want remote work to feel as lively and collaborative as the office
Hopeful that remote culture can evolve to be more human
Goes to gym and other social places so that he could meet new people and just for a change
Mentally drained by monotony and emotional disconnection
Seeks out platforms like Toastmasters to build soft skills
Remote work solutions tailored to different personality types—introverts and extroverts alike.
User Persona
Ayesha Kapoor | IT Professional | 30 age | Mumbai
Ayesha is an experienced remote worker who values both freedom and real connection. While she enjoys the flexibility of remote work, she misses the energy of office life and wants tools that bring that vibe online. She cares about mental health, and team bonding.
Character
Less focused • Social • Stressed • Busy
Goals
A remote work experience that feels as engaging as being in the office.
To build stronger team bonds and recreate the energy of in-person collaboration in remote settings.
To maintain high productivity without burnout by balancing work and social life.
Needs
A tool that supports both fast teamwork and focused work time.
Regular casual chats with colleagues to build trust and real connections.
Knowledge sharing through direct discussions with seniors, emphasizing mentorship.
Pain Points
Feels the connection to colleagues and organizational culture weaken over time.
Juggling multiple collaboration tools leads to lost links and confusion.
The isolation of working within four walls becomes mentally draining over time.
Tools Used
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.
BUT WHY?
Because when you know your colleagues, work feels lighter, collaboration flows naturally, and productivity follows. After all, teams that vibe together, thrive together.
That brings us down to our Problem Statement
Remote work often feels disconnected due to the absence of personality, casual connection, and emotional presence. Existing tools focus heavily on meetings and tasks, but overlook everyday human interactions that make teams feel real. Our goal is to build a digital workspace that blends productivity with personality—where employees can bond, express themselves, and feel part of a team, no matter where they work from.
Lack of Team Connection
Existing Virtual tools make it difficult to establish a personal connection with team members. This leads to feelings of isolation and disconnection, which ultimately impacts team morale and productivity.
WHY 1
Why do existing virtual tools make it difficult to establish personal connections?
Because they prioritize work utility or try to replicate the physical office environment, neglecting the human need for connection.
WHY 2
Why do they prioritize work utility or replicate the physical office environment?
Because current market leaders focused on established models of in-office productivity, and early digital solutions tried to mimic existing physical workflows.
WHY 3
Why did market leaders focus on established models and early solutions mimic physical workflows?
There was a lack of understanding of the nuances of human connection in a virtual environment. Lack of adapting to unique social needs of remote teams.
WHY 5
Why did market leaders focus on established models and early solutions mimic physical workflows?
Because remote work was initially seen as a temporary solution or an extension of traditional office work.
WHY 5
Why was remote work initially seen as temporary and not as a distinct paradigm?
Because the technology and cultural shift towards remote work happened rapidly, driven by external factors (like the pandemic), leaving limited time for in-depth consideration of the long-term social and emotional needs of remote workers.
Root Cause?
Remote work tools evolved rapidly but focused mostly on utility, neglecting human connection—largely because remote work was seen as a temporary fix, not a long-term shift.
Benchmarking
To understand the space better, we analyzed the existing remote work software, along with other work tools for employees. We used our competitor’s products and made a note of what they do best, what makes them unique and pain points.
What They Do Best?
Reliable for meetings & education- User-friendly & structured- Industry leader
Creates presence & bonding- Spontaneous conversations- Non-verbal communication
Great for remote team bonding- Casual, low-pressure chats- Smooth social interaction
What Makes Them Unique
Grid-based video layout- Breakout rooms- Polling & AI transcription
Avatar movement- Focused private spaces- Whiteboard & tool integration
Virtual lounge- Quick text messages- Games & social features
Pain Points
Feels formal and rigid- Limited expressiveness- Zoom fatigue
High device usage- Not fit for formal use- Movement slows productivity
No collaboration tools- Only social, not work-focused- No hybrid model
UI
Our Learnings
Zoom and MS team
Remain leaders because they deliver serious work utility - offering a seamless ecosystem for everything work, but with our research employees feel that it is rigid and impacts their wellbeing.
Slack
Attempted to bridge work and connection through chat-based collaboration and social channels, but its bonding features remain limited and often feel secondary to productivity.
Gather / Teamflow / Topia
They tried to replicate physical offices digitally — recreating avatars. However, they missed the mark by focusing on visual sense instead of solving the underlying human needs of remote work.
Our market position
Human connection and team bonding
Just Work Communication
Just for Fun
Serious work utility
Cafe/ Third Places
Thursday.social
Open Room
Topia
Spatial Chat
Zoom
TeamFlow
Cubee
Gather HQ
Slack
MS Teams
Cuube
Ideation
Keeping in mind our root cause, interview insights, survey and competitor research plus market positioning, we began brainstorming ideas using sticky notes. Within minutes, we had bulk of possibilities. Ideas were exciting, a few clearly aligned with user needs—but they still needed validation in real-world scenarios.
User Journey we want to create
Onboarding
Customise Desk
Visit Others
Check Work Schedule
Collaborate with Team
Start Focus Session
Socialise in Communities
User receives an invite link, signs in, and answers a few fun and personal questions so we can personalise their experience.
User lands on their digital cubicle and customises it by choosing a style and adding desk items like a plant, timer, sticky notes, or photos.
User visits teammates’ cubicles, leaves fun comments on pet photos, congratulates achievements with sticky notes, and bonds casually.
User heads to their Work section to view today’s calendar, see meetings, deadlines, and check off to-do tasks for the day.
User joins a virtual meeting room, brainstorms ideas on a shared whiteboard, and notes down important points during discussions.
Back at their desk, the user sets a 45-minute timer and enters a focus mode to work distraction-free.
When tired, the user joins a quick game, joins a coffee chat, or interacts in interest-based groups to relax and connect with others.
End of Day Reflection
The user feels productive, refreshed, and happy — having worked efficiently, bonded with teammates, and made new virtual friends.
Information Architecture
Cuube
Version 1 – Initial UI (Team Collaboration)
Context:
The initial user interface was collaboratively designed by our team during our semester project timeline. Due to time constraints and overlapping academic deadlines, we prioritized functionality over perfection. While the foundation was strong, many UI elements lacked consistency, auto-layouts weren’t implemented, and the visual design system wasn’t standardized.
Team Role:
Co-designed UI screens, contributed to layout decisions, and ensured the core user flows were covered.
Team Credits:
Prameet
Tanishka
Shrushti
Shubham
User Testing of Team UI (Version 1)
We conducted two rounds of user testing during Version 1 — one with mid-fidelity wireframes and another with the final high-fidelity prototype. The key goal was to observe how users navigated, interacted, and perceived the platform.
1. Navigation & Usability Gaps
Tested with Akshay, a remote developer at Red Hat with experience using modern SaaS tools.
He struggled with some UI navigation due to inconsistent layout and unclear affordances.
Suggested improvements in the flow to make the experience more intuitive.
“This is a concept I’ve never seen before — really innovative. If it gets built, I’d love to be one of the first users.”
2. Light vs Dark Theme Decision
In earlier tests, a user shared that working long hours on a light-themed dashboard strained their eyes.
This feedback drove the shift towards a clean, dark UI for better comfort during extended usage.
Macbook Pro
Macbook Pro
3. Familiar UX Patterns Matter
One user mentioned they are comfortable with apps like MS Teams, especially the instant meeting creation.
Based on this, we added an instant meeting button — applying the UX Law of “Jakob’s Law”, where users expect familiar behavior from other tools.
Macbook Pro
Macbook Pro
Version 1 (Team)
Version 2(Solo UI Revamp)
Macbook Pro
Why Version 2 ? Solo UI Revamp (Summer Passion Project)
Context:
After the academic submission, I revisited the project with a fresh perspective during the summer break. I identified several usability and implementation gaps that hindered developer handoff and user experience consistency. With a strong desire to push the quality further, I revamped the entire UI — creating a unified design system, applying consistent branding, ensuring developer-ready auto-layouts, and improving the overall visual polish.
My Role:
Solo design lead – responsible for visual overhaul, design system creation, interaction design, and component consistency.
Goal:
Transform a functional prototype into a professional-grade product with pixel precision and scalability.
UI Screens
Key UI Features & Benefits
Research Insights
“Remote workers often feel disconnected and lack a sense of ownership over their Normal workspace.”
So We Designed Feature#
Customize Your Cubicle
Users can personalize their digital workspace with photos, music, and personal touches. This helps foster connections as others can visit and comment, making the environment feel more personal and engaging.
User Insights on Feature #Customise your Digital Cubical
“I really like the idea of setting up my own cubicle. It’ll feel so good if, every day when I log in, I see my pet photos and little personal things on my desk — not just a plain, boring work screen.”
Research Insights
"Unlike the in-office workspace, in a remote setting, I can't actually visit others and observe their interests and tastes like we do in cubicles."
So We Designed Feature#
Visit Other Desks
Step into your colleagues’ virtual cubicles — see their personal desk setup, leave comments, and discover shared interests. A warm, everyday way to spark spontaneous conversation — just like walking up to someone’s desk in a real office.
User Insights on Feature #Visit Other Desks & Comment
“I loved visiting other people’s cubicles. Seeing their workspace, the photos, and their desk setup made it feel like a real office. I got to know their tastes, and it sparked so many casual chats — just like walking over to someone’s desk at work.”
Research Insights
“Remote collaboration needs easy access to tools for teamwork and interaction.”
So We Designed Feature#
Collaboration
Provides tools for team collaboration, whiteboarding, and video coding. The icebreaker feature helps users connect by sharing personal interests.
User Insights on Feature #Ice breaker
I like the icebreaker feature in meetings and chats. I’m someone who struggles with starting conversations, so this would make it way easier for me.
Research Insights
“In remote working environments, chat tools are often perceived as formal or strictly work-related. Many employees feel hesitant to initiate casual conversations, especially without a specific reason.”
So We Designed Feature#
Conversation Starter Chat
A dynamic chat feature that helps break the ice in remote workspaces. It enables users to initiate casual one-on-one conversations either anonymously or directly, based on shared moments and interests discovered while exploring each other’s cubicles. Comments or reactions left on someone’s cubicle — whether it’s about a photo, quote, or setup — automatically reflect in the chat section, making it easier and more natural to start conversations.
User Insights on Feature # cubicle-to-chat /icebreaker
“I used to find it awkward to randomly message someone unless it was for work. But when I visited a colleague’s cubicle and saw a super adorable photo of a dog, I couldn’t resist commenting on it. I clicked ‘leave a note’ saying, ‘Your dog is so cute!’ — and to my surprise, that note popped into our DM chat.
That small, casual message became a real conversation starter. We ended up chatting about pets, then about work, and now we even collaborate better. This feature turned a simple reaction into a real human connection.”
Research Insights
“Remote workers need quick and easy ways to communicate and ask questions.”
So We Designed Feature#
Community
Users can join clubs, participate in events, and enjoy games, helping them unwind and build connections with colleagues.
User Insights on Feature # Clubs
“In the book club, we share not just book recommendations but real-life resources. I’ve found solutions to my work problems there. It’s like a growth space beyond just tasks and deadlines.”
User Insights on Feature # Gaming group
“I joined a game chat just out of curiosity. I ended up meeting someone I wouldn’t usually interact with — we both loved the same game. That sparked a friendship and made work communication easier too.”
Design System
Cuube
Typography
Heading Font
Nunito
Why Nunito?
We chose Nunito for headings because of its soft, rounded letterforms that bring a sense of playfulness and warmth to the interface. This aligns with goal of making remote collaboration feel friendly, human, and approachable—rather than sterile or overly corporate. Nunito strikes a balance between being bold and informal, helping key headings stand out without feeling too rigid.
Body Font
Manrope
Why Manrope?
For body text, we went with Manrope due to its excellent readability and modern geometric style. It pairs beautifully with Nunito and supports a clean, efficient reading experience. Since Qubes is used in a work-related software environment, Manrope helps maintain a professional, crisp look while ensuring content is legible across devices and screen sizes.
Main Color
Primary
#7731D8
Secondary
#FFD023
Greyscale
50
#F7F3FF
500
#444246
100
#D2D2D3
600
#39353E
200
#B4B3B5
700
#28252D
300
#8E8D90
800
#1E1C21
400
#69686B
900
#070607
Components
My Desk
Collaborate
Chat
Community
Team Space
Notifications
Help
Setting
My Desk
My Desk
My Desk
Cuube
Start an Instant Meeting
Start an Instant Meeting
Start an Instant Meeting
Events
Clubs
Events
Clubs
Ayesha Kapoor
Active
Juli
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Basic
Final Reflection
Learnings
This project taught me how to truly empathize with users—by going out, talking to real people, and understanding their everyday struggles with remote work.
We didn’t just build features—we solved real problems, explored emotions, and designed ways to make virtual spaces feel more human and connected. As a team, we pushed our limits and turned insights into meaningful design decisions.
Future Endeavour
Remote work is here to stay. As designers, it’s our role to make this shift better for everyone—not just functional, but more emotionally connected too.
This project reminded me of the impact design can have, and I’m excited to carry these learnings forward to craft experiences that truly improve people’s digital lives.