User Experience 1
The Next Best Thing
Concept Summary
For this UX assignment we are tasked with finding digital solutions to common problems, mine being snoring. by using the HMW technique i reduced the problem to "How might we prevent the airways getting blocked?" or "How might we reopen the airway gap after it has been closed?"
My solution to this problem will be a modified facemask. Unlike the popular facemasks we know, this one does not focus on blocking germs and will allow air to flow freely through. It also has built in sensors to monitor the breathing rate and any pauses that may occur as well as cushions for a comfortable wear. You'll also be able to connect the mask to the app to monitor your average sleep and breathing patterns, though the app is not the main focus here.
Reflection
Coming up with a digital solution to a stricly physical problem is a tough challenge to begin with. It not only requires a deeper understanding of the underlying problem of snoring. The differences also range from person to person, and so not every idea will work for every person. This would require multiple products for the same problem. So some ideas would have to be abandoned at the very start.
A positive point from this assignment is that it helps improve your thinking skills and ideation skills. Instead of stopping at your first idea it incentivizes thinking further and trying to improve your products. Learning the brainstorming techniques has also been quite interesting. Applying the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. method also learned me form connections and associations from random words.
It also showed me how tough it is to show a story without using any words at all. And making the video has certainly helped me learn what it's like to try and tell a story you have in your head while trying to not stutter and trip over your own words.
