LULLA A physical device paired with a mobile app to help people fall asleep more easily To improve users’ quality of sleep, Lulla uses a multipronged approach which includes appealing to the olfactory, auditory, and visual senses.
/01. INSPIRATION
/02. INSOMNIA RESEARCH
MY STORY
DEFINITION
As a designer, I have always wished that I could shut down my brain after getting into bed and fall asleep immediately. However, for a variety of reasons, the reality is that I have trouble falling asleep most nights, which negatively affects my behavior the next day.
“My circadian rhythm is used to me working late at night.”
Sometimes I take pills to help me fall asleep at night. Although I’m aware of the side effects that these medicines can have, sometimes I simply cannot fall sleep without taking a pill. Moreover, I built up a resistance to these medicines so that they are no longer effective, leaving me awake the whole night.
Classified by FREQUENCY FREQUENCY
Insomnia is a common sleep problem faced by many adults. According to guidelines from physicians, insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so. People with insomnia can feel dissatisfied with their sleep and usually experience one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and decreased performance in work or at school.
“I wish I could shut down my brain and fall asleep immediately when I need to.”
Basically EVERYONE A brief episode of difficulty sleeping. Acute insomnia is usually caused by a life event, such as a stressful change in a person’s job, receiving bad news, or travel. Acute insomnia often resolves itself without any treatment.
CHRONIC INSOMNIA People with genetic disorders, or other diseases or conditions that result in insomnia as a symptom
TYPES OF INSOMNIA (According to the National Sleep Foundation https://sleepfoundation.org/)
Classified by THE TIME PERIOD IN ONE NIGHT
Stories From Friends Many of my friends also suffer from insomnia. Most of them are architects, game designers, copywriters, and designers - essentially, people who need to maintain strong cognitive focus and concentration for long periods of time at work.
ACUTE INSOMNIA
Insomnia that occurs with another condition. Psychiatric symptoms - such as anxiety and depression - are known to be associated with changes in sleep. Certain medical conditions can either cause insomnia or make a person uncomfortable at night (as in the case of arthritis or back pain, which may make it hard to sleep). Chronic insomnia has many causes.
COMORBID INSOMNIA Fall asleep
Get in bed
Wake up
ONSET INSOMNIA
MAINTENANCE INSOMNIA
Having difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
The inability to stay asleep. People with maintenance insomnia wake up during the night and have difficulty returning to sleep.
People who heavily depend on their cognitive abilities, such as accountants, copywriters, architects, writers, students, etc. A long-term pattern of difficulty sleeping. Insomnia is usually considered chronic if a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at least three nights per week for three months or longer. Some people with chronic insomnia have a longstanding history of difficulty sleeping.
CAUSES OF INSOMNIA
MEDICAL CAUSES There are many medical conditions (some mild and others more serious) that can lead to insomnia. In some cases, a medical condition itself causes insomnia, while in other cases, symptoms of the condition cause discomfort that can make it difficult for a person to sleep.
Treatments
PSYCHIATRIC CONDITION Insomnia can be caused by psychiatric conditions such as depression. Psychological struggles can make it hard to sleep, insomnia itself can bring on changes in mood, and shifts in hormones and physiology can lead to both psychiatric issues and insomnia at the same time.
ANXIETY
LIFESTYLE
Most adults have had some trouble sleeping because they feel worried or nervous, but for some it’s a pattern that interferes with sleep on a regular basis.
Insomnia can be triggered or perpetuated by your behaviors and sleep patterns.
THE BRAIN In some cases, insomnia may be caused by certain neuro-transmitters in the brain that are known to be involved with sleep and wakefulness.
MEDIC
There are many dif aids for insomnia, counter (non-prescri tion medications.
WHITE NOI BY AIRS
White noise sleep normal sleep effecti asleep faster by pr soothing sound to b your brain settle.
FOOD
s Available In The Market
CAL PILLS
fferent types of sleep including over-theiption) and prescrip-
ISE MACHINE SOFTPEAK
machine enhances ively, helps human fall roviding a constant, block noises and help
COGNITIVE & BEHAVIORAL TREATMENTS
ZME PERSONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY INSTRUMENT
Examples: Relaxation training, stimulus control, sleep restriction, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
The deivce uses Cranialelectrotherapy stimulation, which sends low frequency pulses to stimulate the user’s brainwaves and tells the brain to produce hormones and neurotransmitters that help the user fall asleep more easily. This is a purely physical form of treatment.
HERBAL SUPPLEMENT LIQUID All natural solution contains a unique blended spray of pure Mg oil, Cedarwood, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, and Clary Sage that are clinically proven to help calm and relax you for a good night’s rest.
AYO SLEEP BETTER By adjusting light levels, this device can increase the user’s energy and attention levels, enhance mood, minimize jet lag, improve sleep quality, and adjust sleeping cycles to match the user’s lifestyle.
ROBOT 4U TECH The robot is fully controlled by voice and touch, and provides relaxation training through audio techniques, such as alpha brainwave sounds, audio stories, and soft music to help the user fall asleep more easily. It also links to a mobile app for adjusting settings and updating audio resources.
PAITREE SLEEP MASK Users can experience a kaleidoscope-like audiovisual journey with colorful streams of geometric structures. All-Color Ganzfeld Open-Eye Goggles can gently transmit every color of the light spectrum onto open or closed eyes.
/03. USER RESEARCH
INTERVIEWs & INSIGHTS
SELECTED USER
Fully awake
Getting to sleep
My targeted users are people who need to maintain strong cognitive focus or concentration during the day, and who suffer from onset insomnia or comorbid insomnia (not typically caused by physical conditions or other diseases).
Tracy Female Copywriter 26 Shanghai, China
Examples: Architects, Designers, Copywriters, Accountants, Students, etc.
DAYTIME 1. Feel overwhelmed by responsibilities
• Need to catch the bus during rush
hour so that they can get to work on time. • Project due dates are approaching. • The to-do list is too long. • Work in a stressful environment. 2. Feel clumsy, sleepy, or fatigued due to poor sleep quality the previous night. 3. Have a hard time waking up in the morning.
NIGHT
In sleep
“After suffering from insomnia for several days, I gave up riding my bike to work, as I would constantly bump into other people on the street. I eventually had to take the metro to work.”
1. Constantly think about projects, such that the brain is running all the time without slowing down.
REASON FOR GETTING INSOMNIA:
2. Have difficulty falling asleep, usually staying awake until 3 a.m. or later.
TYPICAL TIMELINE:
Pressure from work
3. Prefer working at night when they can maintain better focus in a quieter environment. 4. Inspiration hits them, and they need to execute the idea immediately or it will be forgotten the next second.
4. Need a nap in the middle of the day.
5. Follow a late circadian rythm.
5. Drink too much coffee during the daytime.
6. Have too much work such that they need to work overnight.
12:00 p.m. Get to bed 7:00 p.m. Off work
8:00 a.m. Get up 10:00 a.m. Start work
SOLUTION: Visit psychologist, go to sleep clinic, take sleeping pills, drink milk before bed, use ear plugs, etc. - none of these solutions worked. However, her insomnia improved dramatically immediately after she quit her job.
I interviewed 13 people, listening to their own confusion and stories about insomnia. One thing I learned is that many people suffer from insomnia without even realizing it. It is amazing to have the chance to work with them and help them figure out a solution to their problem. Below are 4 highlights from the interview pool.
Ming
Dorothy
Jany
Female Architecture Intern 23
Female Business Counselor 27 Shanghai, China
Female Architecture Intern 24 Chicago
Shenzhen, China
REASON FOR GETTING INSOMNIA: Late circadian rhythm; nap during the day; pressure from work
TYPICAL TIMELINE: 2:00 a.m. Fall Asleep
12:30 a.m. Get to bed 11:00 p.m. Off work
Sleep lightly
“I usually feel stressed when there’s a task that has lots of moving pieces that I can’t control. I find myself reviewing all of the different tasks and thinking about all of the things that could go wrong all night, even in my dreams.”
REASON FOR GETTING INSOMNIA: Light sleep; wakes up easily by any sound
TYPICAL TIMELINE:
Light sleep; wakes up easily by any sound
REASON FOR GETTING INSOMNIA: Pressure from work 9:00 a.m. Wake up 10:00 a.m. Start work
SOLUTION: Listen to music, wear eye mask, try to change job position, get a lighter work load.
2:00 a.m. Fall Asleep
TYPICAL TIMELINE: Dream a lot about work Leisure time (play games, watch TV, etc)
7:00 p.m. Off work
2:00 a.m. Fall Asleep 12:30 a.m. Get to bed
7:00 a.m. Get up
9:00 p.m. Off work
12:00 p.m. Get to bed
be in a daze in bed 5:00 a.m. Wake up 9:00 a.m. Start work
7:30 a.m. Get up 9:00 a.m. Start work
SOLUTION: Typically none. Sleeping pills are the last resort.
SOLUTION: Drink alcohol to “knock herself down”. Sleeping pills do not help at all.
UX MAP OFFICE
EMOTION HIGH
10:00 p.m. Off Work
11:00 p.m. Arrive Home
12:00 A.m. Get to bed
LOW
PROBLEMS
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Physically and mentally tired, and developing tension from thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list.
Need a little leisure time to switch herself off work mode, by watching TV and playing games for a little bit
• Play soft music • Use some blended spray • Massage to reduce muscle tension
While closing her eyes, she keeps thinking about tomorrow’s work schedule, going through all the possibilities in her mind, and pondering life problems, deeper and deeper. She really just wants to shut her brain down.
• Relaxation training • Play soft music • Use some blended spray • Watch some TV dramas to distract her thoughts • Play alpha brain wave sound and music • Turn on Blue Light • Get a more comfortable duvet and pillow
3:0 Fall
Keep dreaming a matters. Her slee makes her wake
• Play alpha brain her in deep sleep • Wear an eye ma
HOME
OFFICE
5:00 a.m. Wake up before the alarm rings
7:30 a.m. Get up
9:00 a.m. Start Work
00 a.m. l asleep
about work-related ep is very light, which at the slightest noise.
wave sound to keep p mode ask to block light
Her muscles ache, and she feels dizzy and has a headache. She just can’t fall back asleep. The only thing she can do is lay in bed, close her eyes, and wait for a miracle to happen, or just the sunrise.
• Relaxation training • Play soft music • Use some blended spray • Watch some TV dramas to distract her thoughts • Play alpha brain wave sound and music • Turn on Blue Light • Get a more comfortable duvet and pillow
The alarm rings. She has to force herself to get out of bed, as she feels dizzy and exhausted.
• Light therapy to wake her up in a comfortable way • Play alpha brain wave sound and music
Tired, she works inefficiently and still has a headache. She has trouble concentrating on work subjects.
/04. DESIGN CONCEPT TARGET USER White collar workers who suffer from insomnia caused by stress from their work or personal life.
/05. LOGO DESIGN
A lullaby is a soothing song or piece of music that is typically played for children as a sleep aid device shares the same purpose, its name is derived from the word “lullaby”, with a playful abb and anthropomorphic character. As such, “she” is called Lulla.
INSPIRATION
DEFINITION Lulla is a personal device that helps the user to improve quality of sleep through physical treatments. Lulla is a lightweight dome that hangs above the user’s head, creating a better environment to get ready to sleep. Inside the dome, there is a Single Localizer focused speaker that provides surround-sound. It can play brainwave sounds, soft music, and audio books. The device also contains an LED light and essential oil diffuser for optional additional support. Lulla connects to a mobile app. The app can be used to adjust all of Lulla’s functions and settings. The app also discourages users from playing with their phones at night by putting the phone in night mode, which only allows for receiving calls.
SKETCH
COMPUTE DRAWING
The face of a person sleeping soundly is one of the prettiest expressions in the world. I use abstract curves to build this soundly sleeping face. The Bang
/06. INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
d. Since this breviation
ER G
DEVICE
FINAL VERSION
SPEAKER
NOZZLE
LED Light Blue light: helps to fall asleep Warm light: wake up in a happier mood
Music Default Playlist
Sync with LED Light
Brainwave
Audio Book
Night Mode Lock Set the duration of the light being turned on
Link to Third party music app
Set the soundtrack playlist
Set the speaker’s timer
APP
Sync the LED light with an alarm clock in order to automatically turn the LED light on gradually to wake up the user in the morning.
Setting for the LED Light Set the duration of the light being turned on
/07. PRODUCT REFERENCE Single Localized Sound Dome The Localizer Sound Dome speaker system is a parabolic unidirectional speaker capable of directing audio sounds such as music to one precise location. This, in turn, creates a localized sound area for the listener, resulting in an incredibly enjoyable environment.
Essential Oil Diffuser A. Oil Warmer An adjustable lid allows the user to determine the amount of scent oil needed to help them fall asleep. No extra water or other liquid is needed.
B. Essential Oil Diffuser No heat or water is necessary to maintain the holistic or therapeutic properties of essential oils. Air pressure is used to turn the oils into mist. HOW IS WORKS: HOW IS WORKS: With a dome covering the speaker, sounds bounce back to the same spot, right below the dome.
LED
LED light bulbs can be acrylic container to mak are not offending to the
/08. SKETCH IN PROGRESS Light
e used in any translucent ke decorative lights which e eye.
When getting ready to sleep, the device is pulled down and sit just above the user’s head.
Blue LED Light on the inside.
Bottom View
Scent Nozzle
Speakers
The Dome
The Structure In The Dome Shape Cover
The joint enable the arm to be movable.
/09. DEVICE DESIGN Lulla is a dome-shaped device that attaches to the wall above the headboard. When the user is ready to sleep, the device can be turned on through the mobile app, and the dome should be flipped down to cover the area just above the user’s head. The device is able to release scent from the nozzle, play soundtracks through the speaker, and turn on the blue light. When the user falls asleep, the dome will automatically flip back into its upright position, so that the user does not hit her head on the device when getting up in the morning.
INNER: Blue LED light + translucent acrylic cover
Scent Nozzle OUTER: Solid white acrylic cover
Speakers
Scent Nozzle
When getting ready to sleep, the device is pulled down and sit just above the user’s head.
FUN sleep abov
NCTION 1: When getting ready to p, the device is pulled down and sit just ve the user’s head.
Speakers
FUNCTION 2: Switch on the scent nozzle, to disperse some relaxing scents.
FUNCTION 3: Blue LED light is another option that can provide additional assistance with falling asleep.
/10. USER FLOW Sign in/Sign up
Night Mode/ Switch shortcuts
Manage Lulla
Light
Scent
Adjust the duration of the light and scent, and manage the playlists played through the speaker.
Mainpage Speaker
Simple settings for user’s personal account
SETTINGS
Manage Schdule Manage the desired frequency of use for each function on a weekly basis
Brainwave
Music
Add playlist
Audio Book
/11. APP UI DESIGN