19/05/22
Client name: Zisu (Allison)
Brainstorming
To begin developing prototypes for this phase of the project, I first reflected back on the previous define phase where I created the following How Might We Statement:
How might we design an environment that can help anxious overseas students feel more relaxed before bed so they can consistently get to sleep within 20 minutes?
The phrases in bold, namely "environment", "anxious overseas students", "more relaxed" and "consistently get to sleep within 20 minutes" were the key words I chose to focus on as I moved onto brainstorming. In order to develop more relevant ideas, I made sure to brainstorm in my own bedroom where I could observe the environment around me for inspiration. Here are some of the many ideas I brainstormed to address my How Might We statement, where the concepts I chose for the prototyping phase are in blue:
Concepts chosen and why, including how they would address the HMW statement:
1. AR assisted room designer
Description:
The AR assisted room designer would involve a software (eg. a desktop or
mobile app) that allows the user to upload photos of their bedroom and take note of what aspects did or did not help them sleep. The software could provide science-backed insights on how to improve the space to make it more conducive for sleep, and the user could provide feedback on whether such changes made a difference in their ability to fall asleep quickly. The AR (augmented reality) component of the software would allow the user to virtually interact with their space and manipulate aspects of it digitally (eg. adding or moving around objects) before making the changes in real life.
Why I chose this design:
This concept allows for the application of up-to-date scientific research that is tailored to the user's specific environment, resulting in insights that can help address that user's specific needs when it comes to falling asleep. As a result, the design could address a wide range of sleep-related problems, from external light sources to anxiety caused by proximity to a study space. However, the design might be limited by the quality of photos that the user uploads and may not be able to provide helpful insights/recommendations on non-visual aspects, such as noise, unless the user specifically reports them.
2. attachable noise-cancelling headboard
Description:
The attachable noise-cancelling headboard would be a headboard that connects to the back of a bed and sits in such a way that it covers the user's head while they're sleeping. The inside portion would be layered in black acoustic panelling that muffles outside noise and blocks out any external light as well. The headboard could also have additional features such as a dim light for reading, an outlet that turns off screens to discourage using them past a certain time, and an inside pocket for books or devices.
Why I chose this design:
This idea would address one of Allison's main reported issues of high noise levels as she's trying to sleep and would also tackle other environment-related problems such as screen use and light. The design could also be made to attach to any headboard and thus allow users with different bed sizes to try the product. However, the concept might make some users feel claustrophobic which would hinder their ability to sleep rather than help improve it.
3. light diffuser + projector
Description:
The light diffuser and projector would involve a cover that goes over light sources, such as the one in Allison's bathroom, to make the light dimmer and change the colour so that it's more conducive to sleep. The light could also connect via Bluetooth to an app on a mobile phone, allowing the user to change the settings as well as use the built-in projector to display the time, their schedule or their to-do lists on a nearby wall.
Why I chose this design:
This design helps address environment-related sleeping issues such as the bright light coming from Allison's bathroom or the anxiety she feels surrounding deadlines and managing timezones. By projecting one's to-do list on a wall with a dim, comfortable light, the user can review their tasks before bed and help ensure a smooth transition from wake to sleep. This design, however, does not address other environment concerns such as the noise levels in Allison's sleeping space.
Prototyping, Testing and Iterating
1. AR assisted room designer
Prototyping and Testing:
For the AR assisted room designer concept, I created three sample interfaces for my users, one of them being my client and the others being two of the students I interviewed in the Discover phase. I asked my users to provide photos of their bedrooms so I could tailor the interface to their environment and thus get more authentic responses about their experience with the design. I talked through the design with each user while also letting them explore the interface themselves, resulting in honest feedback about the layout, colours, icons and features. The layouts I showed to each user are depicted below:
User Feedback and Iterations:
When reflecting on their experience using the mock app interface, each user agreed the white background was too overwhelming for an app to be used before bed. As a result, I added a "dark mode" option where the screen would turn black and the text white so that using the app wouldn't be so hard on one's eyes or interfere with sleep at night. One of my users also noted how the many colours of the dots were confusing and unclear in terms of their meaning, so I reduced the number of colours being used in order to simplify the design. Users also suggested adding an overall metric, such as a performance score/rating of how well the space promotes sleep, to see how one's ability to fall asleep is affected by changes in their environment over time. Based on this feedback, I added a "trends" page where the user could see the correlation between changes in their environment and the time it takes to fall asleep and how this correlation changes over time. This feedback resulted in the following iteration of my client's interface:
I also received feedback on the overall effectiveness of the design in solving the problem at hand. One user commented on how the app couldn't detect non-visual aspects such as temperature or noise, thus requiring user input for those issues to be addressed. Additionally, the app would only raise awareness about possible issues, resulting in a design that relies on user intervention to solve those problems directly.
2. attachable noise-cancelling headboard
Prototyping and User Feedback:
For the attachable noise-cancelling headboard, I made a smaller scale model of what the product would look like in order to show to my clients and gather feedback. The model is made out of folded cardboard and the interior is lined with black fabric, mimicking how the inside of the final product would be lined with noise- and light-cancelling materials. The yellow dots represent the reading light that would be added at the top of the headboard.
I showed this prototype to multiple users and related the product to pre-existing examples, such as tents, to encourage honest feedback on whether the design would help or hinder one's ability to sleep. Most agreed that the design could possibly be claustrophobic for some users, with one user voicing concerns about air circulation and another about hitting their head on the "roof" of the design in the morning. Based on this feedback, as well as user suggestions, I added a raising mechanism that allows the height of the roof to be adjusted by the user to their preference, as well as an option to have the roof raise autonomously throughout the night so that it would be fully uncovered in the morning. I also adjusted the shape of the product to be more open and curved, allowing air to flow more easily throughout the back of the design.
Additionally, I tested how I as a user would feel using this product by mimicking the general shape with a blanket and drying rack:
Personally, I found the overall experience using this prototype quite comfortable. I felt like I was able to relax and could see myself being able to fall asleep as well. However, I am not claustrophobic, so someone who is more claustrophobic than I am may have a more negative experience. I plan on testing this concept on my client by asking her to replicate this experience and to note her thoughts while doing so.
3. light diffuser + projector
Prototyping and User Feedback:
To better depict the design to my users, I created a simple model of the light diffuser in Rhino. I received preliminary feedback on my sketches and learned that users were unsure how the light would project the time or text onto a wall, so I added a window on the side of the design where a screen could be programmed to act as a "stencil" and display whatever the user decides via Bluetooth/an app. Users also suggested adding a schedule for the light so that it would be timed with when the user goes to sleep.
The main feedback I received from this design is that users were unsure how it would address sleeping-related problems. Although users agreed a dimmer light would be helpful with the transition from wake to sleep, they felt that its application was limited in helping one relax more before bed. I realised that, based on users' confusion, the concept itself was inherently flawed and wasn't particularly useful for addressing my HMW statement so I decided not to develop this design further.
Final Chosen Concept
Upon reflection of the feedback I received on my three prototypes, I have decided to move forward with the attachable noise-cancelling headboard (concept 2) for development in the final phase of this project. Unlike the other designs, this idea more directly addresses environment-related issues such as noise rather than requiring user intervention (which is the case with the app from concept 1). Additionally, concept 2 is more specific and can thus provide a focused solution for the HMW statement. Through methods such as full-scale models and additional user testing, I hope to continue developing this concept to help my client relax more before bed in order to fall asleep faster.
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