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KIM
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Dwello
Dwello
Dwello
Dwello, an IoT system that fosters connection and communication within a communal household.
Dwello, an IoT system that fosters connection and communication within a communal household.
Dwello, an IoT system that fosters connection and communication within a communal household.
Members
Seo Kim, Aivy Pham, Jonnie Narita
Timeline
6 Weeks
ROle
UX Design & Research
Tools
Figma, AfterEffects, Nomad Sculpt, Miro
The challenge
As loneliness rises among American adults, many seek connection in intentional communities, though communal living presents inevitable challenges due to the number of residents.
Our team chose to focus on these households of 4 to 10 residents, addressing well-being by exploring the impacts of loneliness and the challenges of communal living.
For context: Each team was tasked with designing an IoT system to support well-being in a domestic environment, involving three interconnected devices.
As loneliness rises among American adults, many seek connection in intentional communities, though communal living presents inevitable challenges due to the number of residents.
Our team chose to focus on these households of 4 to 10 residents, addressing well-being by exploring the impacts of loneliness and the challenges of communal living.
For context: Each team was tasked with designing an IoT system to support well-being in a domestic environment, involving three interconnected devices.
As loneliness rises among American adults, many seek connection in intentional communities, though communal living presents inevitable challenges due to the number of residents.
Our team chose to focus on these households of 4 to 10 residents, addressing well-being by exploring the impacts of loneliness and the challenges of communal living.
For context: Each team was tasked with designing an IoT system to support well-being in a domestic environment, involving three interconnected devices.
+ RESEARCH
+ research
+ Research
Autoethnography (Photo Study)
Contextual Inquiry
Interviews
Artifact Analysis
Autoethnography (Photo Study)
Contextual Inquiry
Interviews
Artifact Analysis
Autoethnography (Photo Study)
Contextual Inquiry
Interviews
Artifact Analysis
+ design
+ Design
+ Design
Informed Brainstorming
Ideation
Storyboarding
Lo-Fi Prototyping
3D Modeling
Informed Brainstorming
Ideation
Storyboarding
Lo-Fi Prototyping
3D Modeling
Informed Brainstorming
Ideation
Storyboarding
Lo-Fi Prototyping
3D Modeling
Outcome
Research
Secondary
We conducted a competitive analysis of popular household IoT devices, which primarily fell into two categories: home security (smart doorbells, sensors, cameras) and voice-controlled assistance (smart speakers like Amazon Echo & Google Home).
This helped us visualize IoT devices and understand their integration.
We conducted a competitive analysis of popular household IoT devices, which primarily fell into two categories: home security (smart doorbells, sensors, cameras) and voice-controlled assistance (smart speakers like Amazon Echo & Google Home).
This helped us visualize IoT devices and understand their integration.
We conducted a competitive analysis of popular household IoT devices, which primarily fell into two categories: home security (smart doorbells, sensors, cameras) and voice-controlled assistance (smart speakers like Amazon Echo & Google Home).
This helped us visualize IoT devices and understand their integration.
Primary
After selecting participants, we used various data collection methods, including autoethnographic studies where they captured images of key living and communal spaces.
We also conducted in-depth interviews to explore their personal definitions of well-being.
Above are photos from Participant A, who lived in a 3-floor townhome with 8 residents, highlighting shared spaces.
After selecting participants, we used various data collection methods, including autoethnographic studies where they captured images of key living and communal spaces.
We also conducted in-depth interviews to explore their personal definitions of well-being.
Above are photos from Participant A, who lived in a 3-floor townhome with 8 residents, highlighting shared spaces.
After selecting participants, we used various data collection methods, including autoethnographic studies where they captured images of key living and communal spaces.
We also conducted in-depth interviews to explore their personal definitions of well-being.
Above are photos from Participant A, who lived in a 3-floor townhome with 8 residents, highlighting shared spaces.
Primary
The images above were taken from Participant B's autoethnography, who lived in a house with 2 floors & 6 residents.
Photos from Participants A and B were reviewed in in-depth interviews, discussing the images and any challenges of living with many residents.
The images above were taken from Participant B's autoethnography, who lived in a house with 2 floors & 6 residents.
Photos from Participants A and B were reviewed in in-depth interviews, discussing the images and any challenges of living with many residents.
The images above were taken from Participant B's autoethnography, who lived in a house with 2 floors & 6 residents.
Photos from Participants A and B were reviewed in in-depth interviews, discussing the images and any challenges of living with many residents.
Primary
After additional interviews, we each noted six key themes (using colored sticky notes for each member).
Through analysis and discussion, we identified four main insights.
After additional interviews, we each noted six key themes (using colored sticky notes for each member).
Through analysis and discussion, we identified four main insights.
After additional interviews, we each noted six key themes (using colored sticky notes for each member).
Through analysis and discussion, we identified four main insights.
+ INSIGHTS
+ INSIGHTS
+ INSIGHTS
Roommate noise affects wellbeing and privacy
Group chats are common but often ineffective
Challenges arise in establishing rules & boundaries in the shared spaces
Insufficient communication among roommates is common
Roommate noise affects wellbeing and privacy
Group chats are common but often ineffective
Challenges arise in establishing rules & boundaries in the shared spaces
Insufficient communication among roommates is common
Roommate noise affects wellbeing and privacy
Group chats are common but often ineffective
Challenges arise in establishing rules & boundaries in the shared spaces
Insufficient communication among roommates is common
Design
ideation
Identifying common themes in communal living was challenging, but three key areas emerged:
shared spaces, cleaning and organization, and personal connection/privacy.
Our goal was to create a research-based system addressing these needs without overstepping any roommate boundaries.
Identifying common themes in communal living was challenging, but three key areas emerged:
shared spaces, cleaning and organization, and personal connection/privacy.
Our goal was to create a research-based system addressing these needs without overstepping any roommate boundaries.
Identifying common themes in communal living was challenging, but three key areas emerged:
shared spaces, cleaning and organization, and personal connection/privacy.
Our goal was to create a research-based system addressing these needs without overstepping any roommate boundaries.
key values
Communication
Communication
Lack of communication regarding expectations & responsibilities
Lack of communication regarding expectations & responsibilities
Lack of communication regarding expectations & responsibilities
Connection
Connection
Connection
Close proximity prompts social bonding through shared spaces & activities
Close proximity prompts social bonding through shared spaces & activities
Close proximity prompts social bonding through shared spaces & activities
Privacy
Privacy
Privacy
Compact environments offer diminished privacy & individuality
Compact environments offer diminished privacy & individuality
Compact environments offer diminished privacy & individuality
CONCepts
01
Our first concept included these devices: an organizational placement mat, a voice-activated item locator, and smart fridge magnets.
Interview analyses revealed that most interactions related to communication, connection, and privacy occurred in the kitchen and dining area, leading us to develop a system specifically for this space, as illustrated in the storyboards above.
Our first concept included these devices: an organizational placement mat, a voice-activated item locator, and smart fridge magnets.
Interview analyses revealed that most interactions related to communication, connection, and privacy occurred in the kitchen and dining area, leading us to develop a system specifically for this space, as illustrated in the storyboards above.
Our first concept included these devices: an organizational placement mat, a voice-activated item locator, and smart fridge magnets.
Interview analyses revealed that most interactions related to communication, connection, and privacy occurred in the kitchen and dining area, leading us to develop a system specifically for this space, as illustrated in the storyboards above.
02
Recognizing that the kitchen and dining area are already high-traffic zones, we decided to expand focus to other common areas.
We replaced the organizational placement mat with a bedroom lamp that allows residents to communicate with each other.
The voice hub was refined, and the smart fridge magnets were reimagined as a community board mounted on a wall instead of the fridge.
Recognizing that the kitchen and dining area are already high-traffic zones, we decided to expand focus to other common areas.
We replaced the organizational placement mat with a bedroom lamp that allows residents to communicate with each other.
The voice hub was refined, and the smart fridge magnets were reimagined as a community board mounted on a wall instead of the fridge.
Recognizing that the kitchen and dining area are already high-traffic zones, we decided to expand focus to other common areas.
We replaced the organizational placement mat with a bedroom lamp that allows residents to communicate with each other.
The voice hub was refined, and the smart fridge magnets were reimagined as a community board mounted on a wall instead of the fridge.
design iterations
iterations
Building upon our progress, we dove into a more comprehensive understanding of each device's intended purpose, defining each use case and figuring out the main features.
Additionally, we defined which data will be exchanged for seamless connectivity within our IoT system.
We then created low-fidelity prototypes to better visualize our device integration, as shown below.
Building upon our progress, we dove into a more comprehensive understanding of each device's intended purpose, defining each use case and figuring out the main features.
Additionally, we defined which data will be exchanged for seamless connectivity within our IoT system.
We then created low-fidelity prototypes to better visualize our device integration, as shown below.
Building upon our progress, we dove into a more comprehensive understanding of each device's intended purpose, defining each use case and figuring out the main features.
Additionally, we defined which data will be exchanged for seamless connectivity within our IoT system.
We then created low-fidelity prototypes to better visualize our device integration, as shown below.
iterations cont.
Since the project was conceptual, our group agreed that low-fidelity prototypes were sufficient.
However, I opted to enhance the project by creating 3D models for each device to provide a more polished visual identity.
Since the project was conceptual, our group agreed that low-fidelity prototypes were sufficient.
However, I opted to enhance the project by creating 3D models for each device to provide a more polished visual identity.
Since the project was conceptual, our group agreed that low-fidelity prototypes were sufficient.
However, I opted to enhance the project by creating 3D models for each device to provide a more polished visual identity.
final design
+ Bedroom Lamp
The Bedroom Lamp notifies you when your housemates want to get in touch, whether it's related to chores or simply to spend time together.
The simple interface wields dual functionality as a drawing board & alert system.
The Bedroom Lamp notifies you when your housemates want to get in touch, whether it's related to chores or simply to spend time together.
The simple interface wields dual functionality as a drawing board & alert system.
The Bedroom Lamp notifies you when your housemates want to get in touch, whether it's related to chores or simply to spend time together.
The simple interface wields dual functionality as a drawing board & alert system.
+ Bedroom Lamp
Compose a message by writing on the surface, then double-tap with two fingers to send it to the Community Board in a shared space.
If a housemate contacts you via the Voice Hub, your Bedroom Lamp will emit a soft light signal that remains on until dismissed, with no audio alerts to avoid irritation.
Compose a message by writing on the surface, then double-tap with two fingers to send it to the Community Board in a shared space.
If a housemate contacts you via the Voice Hub, your Bedroom Lamp will emit a soft light signal that remains on until dismissed, with no audio alerts to avoid irritation.
Compose a message by writing on the surface, then double-tap with two fingers to send it to the Community Board in a shared space.
If a housemate contacts you via the Voice Hub, your Bedroom Lamp will emit a soft light signal that remains on until dismissed, with no audio alerts to avoid irritation.
+ Voice Hub
The Voice Hub is the central database of all 3 devices.
Set up & establish the connection between devices using the Voice Hub, then position in a communal space, such as the dining room table or kitchen counter.
The Hub allows you to update chore information, set reminders or notes on the Community board, or even call a housemate down through their Bedroom Lamp alert.
The Voice Hub is the central database of all 3 devices.
Set up & establish the connection between devices using the Voice Hub, then position in a communal space, such as the dining room table or kitchen counter.
The Hub allows you to update chore information, set reminders or notes on the Community board, or even call a housemate down through their Bedroom Lamp alert.
The Voice Hub is the central database of all 3 devices.
Set up & establish the connection between devices using the Voice Hub, then position in a communal space, such as the dining room table or kitchen counter.
The Hub allows you to update chore information, set reminders or notes on the Community board, or even call a housemate down through their Bedroom Lamp alert.
+ Community Board
The community board, placed in a communal area like the living room or dining area, streamlines communication to ensure household chores are known, completed, and fairly distributed among members.
Each housemate gets assigned a color (which can be set up through the Voice Hub), and the hub will automatically give & rotate chore assignments on a weekly basis.
The community board, placed in a communal area like the living room or dining area, streamlines communication to ensure household chores are known, completed, and fairly distributed among members.
Each housemate gets assigned a color (which can be set up through the Voice Hub), and the hub will automatically give & rotate chore assignments on a weekly basis.
The community board, placed in a communal area like the living room or dining area, streamlines communication to ensure household chores are known, completed, and fairly distributed among members.
Each housemate gets assigned a color (which can be set up through the Voice Hub), and the hub will automatically give & rotate chore assignments on a weekly basis.
reflect & evaluate
what i would do differently…
I would have valued the opportunity to gather user feedback on our devices from our interviewees and others living with 4-10 roommates. This input could have helped us refine our IoT system to better meet housemates' specific needs and assess the effectiveness of our proposed solution.
Moreover, considering that the designs of all three devices were crafted to appear cohesive, I believe it could be interesting to brainstorm potential packaging concepts from a market and product perspective. Or, even just exploring different shapes & forms as well.
Thank you for reading through Dwello!
I would have valued the opportunity to gather user feedback on our devices from our interviewees and others living with 4-10 roommates. This input could have helped us refine our IoT system to better meet housemates' specific needs and assess the effectiveness of our proposed solution.
Moreover, considering that the designs of all three devices were crafted to appear cohesive, I believe it could be interesting to brainstorm potential packaging concepts from a market and product perspective. Or, even just exploring different shapes & forms as well.
Thank you for reading through Dwello!
I would have valued the opportunity to gather user feedback on our devices from our interviewees and others living with 4-10 roommates. This input could have helped us refine our IoT system to better meet housemates' specific needs and assess the effectiveness of our proposed solution.
Moreover, considering that the designs of all three devices were crafted to appear cohesive, I believe it could be interesting to brainstorm potential packaging concepts from a market and product perspective. Or, even just exploring different shapes & forms as well.
Thank you for reading through Dwello!
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CREATED THROUGH 2+ GALLONS OF COFFEE AND 6+ GENRES OF MUSIC
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updated 2024