Industrial - Bachelors

Muse

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Muse is a portable device designed to mitigate the effects of anxiety, both short and long-term. The simple engaging design guides the user through a grounding process and guided haptic breathing while also providing a surface for tactile fidgeting. Paired with an app the device can help the user to monitor their own progress and identify alterations in their thinking that may be causing them anxiety

Kyah Clark

Research

Muse was designed in response to problems and opportunities identified in the conducted research. These included; the low number of people that seek professional help for anxiety, the difficulty in effectively practising mitigatory techniques and the commonality of anxiety in situations outside of the home environment. A detailed literature review was conducted to deepen understanding of the topic area before primary research was undertaken. For primary research, 3 interviews were undertaken and an online survey (multiple choice and short response) was deployed

Literature Review

While the degree of anxiety disorders prevalence was first publicized in the Epidemiological Catchments Area study approximately 35 years ago (M & K, 1986), there is still a stigma, and society remains relatively uninformed about this serious condition. Consequently, it can be said that anxiety disorders can lead to or worsen other physical and mental health conditions such as; depression or other mental health disorders, substance misuse, insomnia, digestive or bowel problems, headaches and chronic pain, social isolation, problems functioning at school or work, poor quality of life and even suicide (Mayo Clinic, 2018). This highlights the critical importance for those that experience anxiety to have the right tools and encouragement to deal with it both in the short and long term.

Primary Research

Primary research was deployed to better understand the experiences and perspectives of the topic from the end user and expert perspectives. A series of 3 interviews were conducted with a professional and two young adults that experience anxiety, as well as a survey consisting of multiple choice and short response questions.

Online Survey
– Multiple Choice & Short Response Questions
– 34 participants
– Young adults who experience or have experienced anxiety
– Mix of people that have and haven’t seen a professional for help

Interview 1
– Professional in the field
– Semi Structured

Interview 2
– Young adult that experiences anxiety
– Has not seen a professional for help
– Semi-Structured

Interview 3
– Young adult that experiences anxiety
– Has seen a professional for help
– Semi-Structured

For a while, I didn’t even know what I was experiencing. Anxiety was just another word for stress back then. I didn’t realise what I was experiencing wasn’t normal and so I never even considered talking to someone about it.

– Survey Participant

Findings

Qualitative Research
– Psychological symptoms were discussed almost 3 times as much as physiological symptoms
– Logic, grounding and breathing most mentioned coping tools
– Topics of worrying, stress and depression are frequently mentioned in association with anxiety
– Specific situations and work were the most commonly mentioned scenarios that cause anxiety
– Stigma, education and cost were the main identified barriers to seeking professional help

Quantitative Research

– General worries (76.5%) and social situations (67.7%) were the most common trigger scenarios
– 70.6% of survey participants identified they were suffering from anxiety, or have, but have not seen a professional for help
– 70% of participants that have received professional help noticed a decrease in the effects of anxiety
– 50% of participants that have received professional help noticed a decrease in the occurrence of anxiety
– Only 30% of participants that have received professional help acknowledged the techniques and advice from professionals as being simple to implement

Design Direction

From the research, key criteria were created to inform the direction of the design project.

1. Portability – the device must be easily carried by the user at all times and facilitate effective usage in a range of environments and situations
2. Discrete – the device must not draw unnecessary attention or require a usage mechanism that may draw attention
3. Mitigation – the design must effectively engage the user and mitigate the effects of anxiety when experienced by the user
4. Encouragement and education – the design should help the user to learn about what they are experiencing and encourage them to seek help
5. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – the design should utilise concepts of CBT and guide the user through techniques to mitigate their anxiety both short and long term

Kyah Clark | Capstone Research Report

Muse

Muse, anxiety mitigation at the moment. By effectively engaging the user the design simply guides the user through the grounding process allowing them to calm their mind and think more clearly and logically. The device has been designed with a human-centred approach to prevent distractions and calm the user through 3 different courses of action.
– Grounding
– Guided Breathing
– Tactile Fidgeting

Features and Function

The Grounding Process

Grounding is a technique commonly recommended by professionals to help the user calm down and collect their thoughts. However, the process often requires a high degree of engagement and commitment which often is difficult to summon while experiencing anxiety. Muse guides the user through this process in a simple and engaging flow that helps the user commit to the process.
1. The user holds the button for 3 seconds to power on the device
2. The user is prompted by the screen on the base of the device with a colour, letter or sense depending on the mode preselected in the app
3. The user finds an item in the current environment matching the prompt
4. The user pushes the button to acknowledge the item, and then continues finding more items until they are feeling more relaxed
5. If the user is unable to find any more items or just wish for a new prompt they can double tap the button

The Ripple

The top surface of the device has been designed to resemble a water ripple, this aesthetic not only functions as symbolism but also provides a unique tactile surface that the user can run their fingers over and fidget with. This can be utilised both while using the grounding feature or while the device is off. The symmetrical and simplistic nature of this fidgeting allows for increased usage range as the user doesn’t require direct eyesight or ample space to interact with the device. This facilitates usage even in spaces such as the user’s pocket, providing them with a means to be more discrete, should they need it. To further engage and calm the user the device will flow through a haptic breathing pattern while the device is on. This allows the user to synchronize their breathing to match the pattern, helping to slow their breath and heart rate.

The App

To pair with the function of the device an app has been created. The app has been deliberately planned and designed for usage notably after using the device or even that night. This ensures that the user is not interacting with their phone while using the device to ensure they are not distracted by notifications and other draws from their phone, thus engaging them wholly with the product.

While the device has been targeted towards in-the-moment mitigation, the app focuses primarily on the user’s long-term progress. Each time the device is used the app creates a log and allows the user to enter custom titles and descriptions, allowing them to journal and track their usage times and reasons. Paired with a range of statistics and progression shown in the app, the user will be able to identify alterations in their thinking and monitor their progress. This log also functions as an effective conversation starter that can make talking to a professional or someone close to them less daunting.

The Personalisation

Muse can be customised to match the user’s personal taste or styling to make it more appealing to carry with them every day. Additionally, the user can also choose to display an image of their choice on the screen through the app. This could take the form of a simple pattern or an image of a pet, and helps let the user make the device their own.

The Flexibility

Muse comes with a silicone case that slips around the device. This case not only provides extra protection to the device but adds additional tactility through the squeeze of the silicone. Also embedded in the case is the ability to interchange attachments that allow the device to be carried in whatever way best suits the user.

The Charging

The Packaging

The Technical Details

The interactions with muse are completed with a 33mm round display screen and haptic engine to provide the haptic vibrations. These components along with the battery and PCB are screwed down to the base of the device. While another set of screws attaches the base to the ripple top. These screws are then hidden by a silicone ring on the base of the device that also functions to protect the screen when the device is sitting base down. The base is machined from aluminium to provide strength and durability to the device while the top ripple and internal mounting bracket are injection moulded plastic.

Kyah Clark | Muse Technical Documentation

Kyah Clark | Capstone Research Report

Kyah Clark

Kyah is an ambitious designer who strives to push his designs to the best outcome. He has experience with graphic design, physical prototyping, CAD and other digital software but is passionate to keep developing his skillset and learning more. Kyah's goal is to innovate impactful, functional, and beautiful designs that have a truly positive impact on the user.