Sleep Glasses
As part of my masters level human centred design elective, we were tasked with designing a product to be used to “sleep in unfamiliar places”.
I had noticed a customer in a local coffee shop coming in, ordering a coffee, and then falling asleep. This happened on a number of occasions, and after getting to know them I learned they had narcolepsy. This provided inspiration for designing a product for this greatly misunderstood group of people.
Sensory stimulus to
encourage sleep.
Research found that darkness encourages the brain’s pineal gland to excrete melatonin when dark. This encourages bursts of drowsiness to turn naturally into restful sleep. The glass gradually tints according to your sleep schedule.
Dismiss with a tap.
In a tight spot? Can’t nap right now?
No problem. Just tap the lens to return
vision back to normal for 20 minutes.
Keeps you right on track.
The accompanying app allows users to record all data associated with sleep quality. This includes intake of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine; as well as exercise and naps. If you can maintain good habits, your quality of sleep will improve.
Careful Planning
The employment of IDEO’s Human Centred Design Methodology calls for careful consideration of the activities and relevant phases they fit into. HCD’s three-phase framework was adapted for this project; according to detailed (though somewhat abstract) research methods, as well as fewer phases of empathic concept development to yield a somewhat abstract result.
Deep Research
Culture probes, consisting of dairies to record stimulant intake, naps, and sleep-wake cycles were given to three narcolepsy sufferers. The key finding was that those who nap the most regularly get the best sleep at night.
Deeper Analysis
Three weeks of various data points could be used to analyse the effects of what habits provided the soundest sleep at night, as well as the suppression of daytime sleepiness. Journey mapping the findings allowed for the effects of various stimulants and habits to be visible across an average day.