Späth, KathleenKathleenSpäthStorck, SvenSvenStorckNass Bauer, ClaudiaClaudiaNass BauerElberzhager, FrankFrankElberzhager2022-03-062022-03-062021https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/27034410.1016/j.procs.2021.07.021More freedom, more flexibility, and reduced travel time for knowledge workers are just a few advantages of new work models, which have been discussed for several years now. Moreover, the problem of rural depopulation can be addressed by this concept. In the research project ""Digital Teams"", we aim to develop a digital open-source platform to support and optimize the digital work environment for distributed teams in rural areas, especially in the knowledge work context. In this article, we focus on the research and design aspects of the project. We provide insights on how we have used the design thinking approach for our research and for the development of the UX- and UI-design concepts. We are focusing on an ecosystem concept, which provides all relevant services for knowledge workers in their daily work life, rather than focusing on a specific remote collaboration purpose.enNew WorkDesign ThinkingCollaborationGroupwareRural Depopulation004005006journal article