Secondary Research
To understand the users, we conducted contextual inquiry for which we interviewed our target users, (middle class bedroom users) from four different locations with a wide age range.
industrial Design + prototyping
August 2023
Interface of Homie hub and Homie application
Bedroom automation system (Homie) that is accessible and affordable for Indian families with middle to upper middle class income levels, which helps them control appliances and elements in their room easily, reduce effort for them and save time and energy consumption while prioritizing features such as safety, comfort and accessibility- that they can incorporate into their routines easily.
section jump links
Initial Design Brief | Design Process | Primary Research | Inquiry Focus Points | Interpretations | Affinity Mapping | Work Model | Key Insights | Checklist | Conceptual Model | Revised Design Brief | Product Vision | Product Definition | Personas | Usability Goals | Wireframing | Visual Identity | Designing | Evaluation | Design Changes | Final Design | CAD Model | Project Details
What is ROP
ROP, or Retinopathy of Prematurity, is a serious eye disease that affects premature infants. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. While some cases of ROP are mild and can resolve without treatment, others can progress and pose a risk of vision impairment or blindness. Early detection and appropriate intervention are crucial to prevent adverse outcomes associated with ROP.
Why I designed a Syringe
During my product design course, I visited the BETIC lab at IIT Bombay, where they design and develop technology for medical equipments. At that time, they were working on a ROP syringe project and needed help with designing its shape and form. Their main challenges were ensuring the right amount of medicine was given and improving the syringe's grip.
Doctors inject medicines called anti-VEGF drugs into baby’s eye. These medicines work by blocking the growth of blood vessels. The medicine is given manually by pressing the plunger of the syringe, this process may cause discomfort for the child and poses a risk of exerting excessive pressure, potentially damaging the delicate eye structures.
BETIC's prototype of syringe and it's controller
Inquiry Focus Points
What is their sleep routine
How do they optimize their setup against external factors such as weather, temperature, insects, sunlight, monkeys, birds etc?
What kind of electronic devices do they have in their bedroom? How often they use them? Are there any challenges or inconveniences they face with the current control methods?
How many people share the room (any pets?)
How and when do they regulate the temperature in their rooms
How much time do they spend in their bedroom? How do they spend that time? (reading, yoga, meditate, entertainment, etc.)
When and why do they interact with the windows & curtains
What does their bedroom setup look like? (what all they have in their room, room dimensions)
Checklist
Users struggle with controlling appliances because of “tough-to-access” switchboards.
Design systems to prioritize protection, mobility, accessibility, cleanliness, and rest for users with medical conditions.
Minimize interference and disturbance caused by noise, light, or movement.
Help the users deal with emergencies or urgencies related to their spaces.
Address the multi-step process of dealing with mosquitoes.
Balance privacy preferences with the need for natural light and ventilation.
Help the users keep a track of their energy consumption.
Address users that are reluctant to take responsibility of opening and shutting doors, windows or curtains of their room and still wish to ensure ventilation.
Personas
Primary persona
Dharmendra | 27 yrs
He is a 27 years old restaurant manager with 3 years of experience. He lives in Mumbai with his wife Hema in a 1BHK apartment. He works 9 AM to 10 PM. He is not very tech-savvy but uses basic tech devices like smartphone, AC, smart TV.
Secondary persona
Tony | 14 yrs
He is a 14 years old, studying in 9th grade, He lives in Kochi with his parents and a younger sister. He stays in a two-story house, and he shares his room with his sister. he is tech savvy and uses a smart phone he has come across home automation systems and AI.
Usability Goals
We set and prioritised usability goals using the Usability Goal Setting Tool by Prof. Anirudha Joshi to set product aims and expectations.
Top Priority Goals
User should take less time to learn: (e.g. in < 10 minutes, in < 2 hours practice, in < 2nd attempt).
User should be able to navigate quickly and easily.
Product should clearly communicate its conceptual model.
Product should automate routine tasks / minimise user task load.
Information architecture: Information should be well aggregated, well categorised, well presented.
Our evaluation based on the Usability Goal Setting Tool is available here.
Visual Identity
Designing
hub
application
Evaluation
Think Aloud Protocol : Users were asked to complete some tasks and asked to think aloud as they did so. We observed their actions and whether they needed any nudges.
User Tasks
You are sitting down to work in your bedroom. Set the focus mode to Work using the app.
You have installed a new smart bulb in your room. Add the smart bulb to the Homie system.
Before heading to bed, you need to adjust the settings for your air conditioner and fan in the bedtime automation.
You need to make an automation for the night lamp to turn on if you wake up in the middle of the night.
You are planning to watch a movie, turn on the leisure mode in the hub.
findings
Some users were confused as they did not receive feedback after completion of certain tasks.
Some users found it difficult to access buttons to add devices.
Some users found the flow to add and edit automations too hectic.
There was no consistency between some buttons across the application.
CAD Model
Created 3D CAD model to visualise the hub in 3D space and how the hub reflects the brand identity. Modelled in Fusion 360.
Project Details
course project
DE 319: Interaction Design Process and Methods
Guide
Prof. Anirudha Joshi
project duration
3 weeks
acknowledgement
I want to thank our mentor Pallavi Rao for her valuable suggestions and guidance throughout the project. I am also thankful to Anumeha, Anuj, Manu, and my classmates for their constructive suggestions and support.