Make It Experience:
WakeWise
This assignment attempts to improve the experience of waking up in the morning. In a group of 3, I collaborated with Emma Moran and Matthew for research, mapping, sketching, and prototyping. Multiple rounds of user testing were conducted with other classmates. The assignment was open ended to any specific audience, purpose, or How Might We question. We focused on the alarm after noticing a common problem of feeling agitated and disoriented when woken up by a loud beeping alarm. Taking the root of stress students experience into consideration, we attempted to improve focus and mood throughout the day by making the waking experience a more seamless transition into the day ahead.
Key features:
Setting a range of time for alarm to avoid being woken up during deep sleep
Customizing multiple dimensions of the “alarm” including light/projection, sound, and vibration
Comfortable ring monitor to detect stages of REM sleep cycle
Created in Figma
Research & Planning
Creating an Experience Map & Identifying Problems
Problem Statement
Students need a way to wake up feeling well rested because their REM sleep cycle is often interrupted by alarms
Students need a way to wake up more optimally because their alarms often make them feel disoriented
How might we statements
How might we help students feel less disoriented when their alarm goes off
Target Audience:
College Students who feel disoriented when they are woken up by a loud, irritating alarm every morning especially after a stressful night
Group idea after sharing our experience maps and finding common themes
Idea: alarm app senses what stage of your sleep cycle you are in and wakes you up at the most optimal time (when you are not in deep sleep)
bringing natural light into the bedroom by imitating sunrise
Each group member recorded their process of preparing for bed and falling asleep, as well as their experience of waking up. We noticed similarities in our routine and our feelings during each step. Some of the common feelings we wanted to focus on were: stressed, agitated, overwhelmed, anxious, surprised, disoriented, irritated.
Project Narrative and Sketches
What was the process?
Project Narrative
A student knows they have to wake up between 9:00 and 9:30 AM for their morning class, but they want to make sure that they are not woken up while in deep sleep and left feeling disoriented as a result.
They purchase WakeWise and pair the sleep tracker ring to the app.
They then input the interval at which they would like to be woken up the next morning (9-9:30), and go to sleep.
Between 9:00 and 9:30, the ring constantly monitors the student’s sleep status until they are in the lightest stage of sleep and then wakes them up according to their preferences.
Prototypes
Physical Prototype: An alarm clock with light projector and wireless charger for monitor ring
The wireless charger is convenient for users to charge the ring after waking up, and putting it on before going to bed
The projector / light source creates a mood in the room that is customizable
The clock - a fundamental feature of an alarm clock is to tell time!