User Research + Prototyping
Design for Accessibility
14 Weeks, 2023
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
Sometimes, when emotions get overwhelming, all we need is a friend to breathe with!
When big feelings get to be a little too much,
WUF will be there for you!
What's WUF?
WUF is a social-emotional
learning system designed
for neurodivergent children.
It can hear when you're
emotionally dysregulated
and will vibrate in soothing
breathing patterns to help
you sync up and calm down!
But How Does WUF Help?
Social Emotional Learning is a strengths-based, developmental process involving various
social activities, scheduled practices, and guided communication.
SEL helps improve:
SEL is most optimal during rapid brain development, commonly
between ages 2 - 7, resulting in increased self and emotional regulation.
How might we help neurodiverse children develop healthy rhythms of emotional self-regulation?
I always tell people, "If you' feel yourself getting upset, count to 10. If that doesn't work? Count to 20!"
An important aspect of self-regulation is the ability to simply "take a moment" during emotional distress.
How can we guide neurodivergent children through that behavior?
Slow Down Time
Form
Exploration
I work well with my hands, so I turned to 3D ideation with foam blocks to quickly get a feel for ergonomics.
One day I was walking through town when I spotted a GREAT looking rock. It was so naturally perfect, smooth, and calming.
So I took it!
User Testing
Finding out what shape best resonates with children ages 2 - 7!
The smooth pebble form was the most popular with the test group.
The familiar shape with subtle surfacing seemed to bring a natural playfulness and an instant connection.
The moment I saw those little smiles, I knew I had something in my hands!
I also noticed the children instinctively rubbing the surface of this pebble form, informing a need for tactile materiality.
Insights
Finalized Form
With the final form pulled from the user testing, it was time to flesh out the key features that would address the pain points of SEL for ASD children.
Further research identified how WUF would be constructed in a mass manufacturing setting, from the internal components to the outer materials.
Proof of Concept
With my product solution being so tech heavy, I knew it wasn't enough to just make an appearance model.
But I had no previous experience or knowledge in electrical engineering or coding.
But what I could do is … Learn. Fast.
I gave myself a quick crash course in coding and electrical engineering and created a model with an animated display and oscilating vibration motor.
How does WUF work?
Functions
WUF's onboard AI drives an array of haptic feedback engines to vibrate in a variety of soothing breathing patterns.
BONES
(AI Microcontroller)
Exploded View
Hover Over a Component to Learn More!
WUF's AI, BONES, runs on an eLLM (empathic Large Language Model). It's training data comprises of a decentralized database of audio clips of emotional distress indicators (crying, yelling, irregular breathing, etc.).
Parent App
What I Discovered
Research Insights
Design Solutions
How I Solved It
Children with ASD struggle with attention engagement with people.
Neurodiverse children typically have a difficult time with emotional regulation.
Sensory needs can outweigh the desire to participate in social settings.
Children with ASD can be very object oriented.
Visual feedback tends to peak interest.
ASD parents tend to rely on iPads or other screens to occupy children's attention.
Numbers, letters, colors, and shapes captivates attention.
WUF automatically turns off to re-engage the child to the social setting at hand.
WUF employs breathing and mindfulness techniques to teach emotional regulation.
WUF's silicone coating is designed to be touch -sensory calming.
WUF features an OLED screen with animated expressions.
WUF fits into the hands of any child and can be taken anywhere.
WUF's digital display and its content is educative and non-addicting.
WUF is simple and versatile in shape and calming in color.
Designing with Privacy, Transparency, Versatility.
Usage Calendar
Response Customizer
Training Data Hub
Placing a device that's "always listening" in the hands of children may raise a few eyebrows.
WUF has been designed with Data Justice in mind. Its systems are created to give both users and caretakers ultimate control and peace of mind.
Flexible Learning Model
One-Way Transparent System
Usage Calendar
