Approach

We've taken the approach of using calm and ambient technology. We decided on this approach because we wanted our device to be unobtrusive, something in the background that could help users be mindful of their distractions.

Context

Here are 3 precedents that informed our design proposal:

1. Ever Blooming Mechanical Tulip

This is a flower form that blooms upon touch. We thought this was a very beautiful and delicate design. This design inspired up to use a flower as it many times represents productivity and looks nice on a desk, which is where our device is intended to be placed.

Source: https://www.instructables.com/Ever-Blooming-Mechanical-Tulip/

2. Couple Communication Device

This project inspired us to make paired connection an integral part of our design. This long-distance couple communication device is a way for couples to feel emotionally closer even though they are physically apart. This is such a meaningful use of IOT. In a similar fashion, we intended to also create a meaningful interaction between friends who want to feel like they are studying/working together even if they are apart through our device. 

Source: https://www.hackster.io/dconlin/long-distance-couple-communication-device-41626e

3. Internet Connected Pomodoro Timer

This was a productivity tool that publishes your work and rest cycles to Google Sheets for analysis. We really loved the topic of productivity as it went well in combination of our previous design goals and inspirations. We also appreciated the concept of publishing data so the user could analyze their own behavior and habits. We included a similar idea in our final concept where users would receive a weekly report of their work session habits. 

Source: https://blog.particle.io/particle-pomodoro-an-internet-connected-pomodoro-timer/

According to the reading Chapter 2 "Principles of Calm technology" by Amber Case, there are multiple design principles of calm technology. We incorporated the following principles from the reading in our product:

1. Requires little attention: Our device is intended to stay in the background. The lights are not bright, and the form is simple. There is also very little input needed from the user (just turning it on and placing their phone on the platform)

2. Make use of peripheral vision: The lights on the roses breathe slowly so that it would catch their attention but will not be intrusive or invasive.

3. Affective design: We believe that our product will help replicate the joy of working alongside a friend. It will connect two friends so that they are keep each other productive and less distracted.

4. Simplicity: This is something we discussed frequently. We wanted to make sure this device does only one or two things, as opposed to being a complicated device. It should be embedded into their routine, but not too demanding or difficult to learn.