ESSENTIAL BAND - Google Internship (2018)
A wellness forward wearable that helps people stay connected with their mental wellness, while minimizing the distractions and interruptions that often accompany modern technology. The goal was to make create a wearable that felt more natural to wear and aims to promote mindfulness and encourage users to live more balanced lives. This was a personal project while on my internship at Google, and it does not reflect any of their internal or future products.
Wellness Forward
While the market is saturated with wearable fitness trackers, it's essential to remember that physical activity isn't the only key to good health. Adequate rest and recovery are crucial for the body to repair and recharge. Unfortunately, many current products in the market don't prioritize sleep and overall wellness as much as they do fitness. This is where the idea for a wellness forward wearable came about. The goal is to offer a holistic solution that provides personalized insights into sleep patterns, stress levels, and activity, allowing users to make informed decisions to improve their overall wellness.
Stepping Away From Technology
Technology has brought many benefits to our lives, such as increased connectivity and efficiency. However, it can also hinder our wellness in several ways. One significant issue is that technology overuse can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, excessive use of social media and other online platforms can contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. While technology can enhance our lives in many ways, it's crucial to be mindful of its potential negative impacts on our wellness and to establish healthy boundaries and habits to mitigate these risks.
Design Language
I believe there was a better intersection of technology and what is natural. I studied the design language of traditional bracelets that people would wear. The goal was to bring technology into a more natural form factor. By drawing inspiration from natural elements, such as the materials and shapes of traditional bracelets, we could develop wearables that blend seamlessly into our daily lives.
A wearable should feel natural.
Airplane Mode - Physical Disconnection
The result was a wearable in the form of a traditional bracelet. The key feature was flipping the screen upside down, which is a physical action of putting your device into airplane mode. The action creates an intuitive and tangible way to disconnect from the digital world. The wearable features a PPG sensor that monitors heart rate and sleep tracking. The low-power E-ink display can show notifications and health information when activated, preserving battery life.
Sketches
Prototyping
