week 7: expert assistance, customer scenario and some more research

This week in class, we took a significant step forward in our project: starting to think about a prototype for our product. Building on the timeline we created last week, we incorporated expert assistance. We asked ourselves, "What would an expert recommend to our persona in three key contexts?" This exercise helped us refine our understanding of our persona's needs and informed the direction of our design.

From there, we developed a customer scenario that brought our persona to life. This included details about who our customer is, their specific needs and challenges, our proposed solution, and a scenario outlining how the customer would use the product in their daily routine. This process made our concept feel more tangible and user-focused.

Recognizing the importance of deeper insights, we conducted an additional user interview. This proved invaluable, as it brought up new considerations and ideas. Here are some key takeaways:

• The solution should be quiet, light-free, and stress-free to avoid psychological discomfort.

• Stress relief through massage and mindfulness techniques was highlighted as particularly effective.

These insights led us to focus on deep pressure stimulation (DPS), a proven technique that combines physical and sensory relaxation with cognitive and psychological benefits. DPS aligns perfectly with the dual nature of our proposed solution, which integrates mindfulness and meditation (cognitive) with physical stimulation (sensory).

To solidify this direction, we dove into research on DPS. We explored scientific articles and evaluated existing solutions that leverage this technique. One standout reference was the ball blanket, a product we found particularly inspiring for its effectiveness in providing deep pressure stimulation. It became clear that this concept resonated with our goals, so we decided to base our prototype on this approach.

We’re excited to take this foundation and begin building something truly impactful. Stay tuned for updates as we bring our vision to life!