Cocoon
2020 Product Design FInalist
The workplace pod for your migraines
Cocoon is a portable private workspace where users can enter soundproof walls and shut the noise and lights of the office out while maintaining their productivity and drive. Combined with its corresponding desktop app, Cocoon tracks users’ usage and environment preferences to create significant insights for usage patterns and understanding of their migraine preferences.
Context
Human Factors
IACT 375 Spring 2020
Timeline
10 Weeks
MAR 2020 - MAY 2020
Team
My Roles
Ideation Lead
Product Design Lead
Conceptualization
Writer
Deliverables
The Problem
During migraine episodes, sufferers cannot function properly due to their increased sensitivity to light sound and increased fatigue causing them to miss out on work for days at a time
The Mission
To help combat the symptoms of migraines, and help sufferers continue with their daily lives. A workplace migraine haven that adjusts its environment to the user's needs to help them continue workplace productivity
Research
For two weeks our group gathered data from sufferers of migraines ages 18 to 60 to gain a better understanding on the affects of migraines on participants and what their greatest obstacles were.
Migraine:
(noun)
a condition marked by recurrent moderate to severe headaches with throbbing pain that usually lasts from 4 hours to 3 days, and is sometimes preceded by an aura and followed by fatigue.
Disabling
6th most disabling illness in the world.
Inefficient
More than 4 million people have chronic daily migraines.
Widespread
More than 90% cannot work or function normally during an episode.
Key Survey Insights
100% of migraines are experienced differently
As each migraine is different, so are the symptoms sufferers experience, this causes solutions to be varied in success rate, forcing users to continue to suffer.
Who are our users?
adults 18+
Frequent migraine sufferers who are working in an office setting or in higher education.
Personas
After we gathered our data, we created four separate personas to represent our different customer segments. Our segments are split into four criteria: Daily vs Infrequent migraines, and Willing vs Unable to work. With these personas, we were able to narrow our design focus.
Daily Migraines | Willing to Work
Ursula, Lawyer
Background
Ursula is a defense lawyer in the city. She is married with 3 kids, all in college, and has had migraines since she was 11.
Challenges
- Daily migraines of high intensity
- Chooses to fight through her migraines
- Works despite migraine, but causes great fatigue
Infrequent Migraines | Willing to Work
Pat, Construction Manager
Background
Pat is a construction worker in the city whos migraines started at 15, but he still hasn't found a routine to help him. He pushes through work with his migraine.
Challenges
- Infrequent, but intense migraines
- Unable to work effectively with a migraine
- Has no warning for an oncoming migraine
Daily Migraines | Unable to Work
Susan, Teacher
Background
Susan is a choir teacher at a local high school, and has started having migraines. They have become more frequent the older she gets.
Challenges
- Migraine intensity keeps her from teaching
- Has not found methods to cope
Infrequent Migraines | Unable to Work
Paul, Student
Background
Paul never had migraines until he reached college. He's not sure what triggers them, and is never prepared when they start
Challenges
- Skipping classes can cause him to fail
- He is never prepared for a migraine, and they come on unexpectedly
"
I don't know what triggers my migraines, I've only had a few so far. All I know is that I end up skipping class and constantly have to play catch up. I'm worried I'm going to fail.
"
"
Though my migraines come more frequently now, I still can’t find the energy to teach choir, which will make my migraine even worse. Once my migraine hits, I call in sick and shut myself in till the migraine goes away.
"
"
I know my limit and energy capacity, which allows me to continue on with my daily functions at work, even if there’s a limit to how much screen time or noise I can handle. If I miss out on work every time I had a migraine, I might as well be unemployed.
"
"
I'm not used to my migraines but I know I can’t miss work. Despite the pain I just pull through it and try to continue with my day. Once I gets home I'm fully drained.
"
Design Criteria
From our research, we were able to define our users' pain points and needs and how we would approach our design to alieve the users' migraines.
How might we?
- Help the sensory and emotional hindrances of our users
- Provide an isolated place where users can relax, stay productive, and explore new methods of caring for their migraines
- Facilitate communication and deeper understanding in a professional environment
Design Process
As the lead product designer, it was my duty to oversee the development of the physical Cocoon pod beginning with our original concept and sketches; all the way through to our final renders.
I had the honor of ideating and developing many of the features that would get incorporated into our final design, as well as sketching, 3D modeling, and rendering the Cocoon pod at every step of the design process.
The Gallery to the right showcases the development of Cocoon, from the initial sketch to our final design!
Companion App Design Process
Designing the desktop companion application followed a similar process to designing the pod itself. We went through the low-fi and mid-fi phases primarily focusing on both the features in the app as well as making sure the application supported the functionality and features present within the Cocoon pod. The high-fi design of the app finalized the customizability, reserve pod, and data analytics features.
Final Design
Cocoon
The workplace haven for your migraines
Cocoon is a fully customizable, private workspace designed to shut out the lights and noise of office space and maintain user productivity to overcome migraines.
Soundproof with customizable temperature and fans
Adjustable table and chair allow for total comfort.
Adjustable blinds and lighting complete with soothing green light
Adjust environmental settings before use, track usage, and view preferences through companion app
Cocoon
Cocoon's corresponding desktop app allows users to reserve Cocoons, check their personal logs, and change their Cocoon environment virtually.