media:scape

(photos courtesy of http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/workspace/group-and-community/mediascape/pages/overview.aspx)

Media:scape is a product designed by Steelcase that promotes media sharing and group conversations. It's design is definitely ergonomic and user-friendly. This product is safe to use because of its simple design and the way it works. First you sit down around the table; Steelcase offers many different types of seating options like wrap-around couches or chairs. Second, everyone can take out their laptops and connect the cord that is inside the table top case. This case is flush with the table so it doesn't stick out on top. The cord connects to a laptop to share visual information from the screen of the computer to a TV like in the photo above. The average users of media:scape would probably be employees of a company, clients, or a group of people who are working and using the product to share digital media. These people would be very safe using media:scape because there are no surfaces or textures that are unfriendly or dangerous.

Comfort using media:scape depends on what type of surfaces are chosen for this product. It comes in different colors, materials, and fabric choices. At the Steelcase showroom in San Francisco, the seating was red wool, which isn't a popular choice among customers. Steelcase provides a vast variety of material selection when it comes to the table surfaces to the seating options.

This video made by Steelcase shows how easy it is to use media:scape. You open your laptop, connect the video cord, and when you want to show your laptop screen, you simple press the clear button on the cord connected to your computer. When new users try media:scape, they can also simply follow the visual directions on the inside flap of the case in the middle of the table. It shows the three steps and what order to follow them in. Another way that media:scape works is by offering an add-on piece behind the main sitting area that allows for people who are joining the meeting to not interrupt because they are invited in the conversation but aren't required to immediately take a seat, which can sometimes be distracting.

At Steelcase, the tour guide demonstrated with two computers how efficient the product was. She took out the two puck cords, connected them in the computers, and switched screens with a simple click of each button. This was an ingenious design and will definitely fit with the popularity and benefits of using shared media viewing in an office setting.

The look of media:scape comes in a large variety depending on the clients and what they want to choose for materials and surfaces. Because of this choice, clients feel like they are designing their own product for their own office spaces and enjoy the product more. Media:scape is a tool that will change how media sharing effects the conference room and will minimize frustrating technological errors, dealing with a single cord, and crowding over one small laptop screen. Steelcase designs products with the user in mind and solving daily problems in the office.