Product Design for Accessibility
Creating an inclusive future for the connected home.
Role
UX Research
UI Design
Design System
Team
Olivia Georgalas
Elijah Hassan
Duration
Jan-Apr 2024
(4 months)
Tools
Figma
Illustrator
Miro
After Effects
How do we create an inclusive future for the connected home?
This project was for a Digital Product Design II academic class. The brief is based off the Sky brief of the D&AD New Blood Awards 2024.
Problem
Explore how the connected home of 2030 could help to create inclusive experiences for all Sky customers.
Solution
Design intuitive methods that allow your smart home to curate your environment easily and accessibly.
This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including discovery, defining, ideation, design, development, and delivery phases.
Conducted competitor analysis to identify patterns and opportunity areas in the smart home market. Researched disability and smart home statistics in the UK.
Surveyed individuals who could benefit from this product and created qualitative user personas, empathy maps, and journey maps.
Adapted themes, challenges, needs, and insights from previous research and created point of view (POV) statements to determine specific user issues and minimum viable product (MVP) charts to identify table stakes and differentiators.
Designed a wearable device and connected app to streamline the experience of smart home users with disabilities.
Results included physical product and app prototypes, as well as sub-branding of the product under the Sky master brand.
Competitor Analysis
Xfinity Home is an option for users already subscribed to Xfinity internet and TV, offering bundled convenience and integration with entertainment services. However, the equipment costs, service contracts, and limited customization compared to DIY systems might be deciding factors for some.
Google Home holds significant potential for people with disabilities but requires continued efforts to address accessibility limitations and promote awareness.
Ring is a popular and affordable choice for smart home security, offering a variety of user-friendly devices and features. However, it's important to be aware of potential privacy concerns and limitations before making a purchase.
Statistics & Research
Main accessibility barriers include lack of voice control customization, limited non-visual feedback, and complex interfaces.
22 million people in the UK have some form of disability, representing 1 in 5 individuals.
7 million people have a mobility disability, while 2 million have a visual impairment.
25% of UK households own at least one smart home device, with the number expected to reach 50% by 2025.
Qualitative Personas
Alex Clarke
Overstimulated Homeschooler
Age:
12 years old
Status:
Single
Location:
London, England
Occupation:
Student
Personality:
Introverted, Focused
Disability:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bio:
Alex, a 12-year-old child who lives with his parents and younger sibling in the suburbs of London, has been homeschooled for the past couple of years due to challenges in adapting to the traditional school environment.
Behaviors:
Alex gets overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, leading to meltdowns or shutdowns when exposed to loud noises, bright lights, or sudden changes in their environment.
Alex has specific areas of intense interest and expertise. When engaged in these topics, he exhibit a high level of focus and enthusiasm.
Alex struggles to comprehend the concept of school hours versus free time. This difficulty in understanding schedules and transitions makes it challenging to establish a consistent routine.
Alex finds it challenging to engage in typical social interactions and often prefers solitary activities. Socializing can be draining and cause anxiety.
Needs & Goals
Structured Routine
Tailored Learning Environment
Supportive Social Skills Training
Quiet and non-interruptive environment
Pain Points
Social Isolation
Sensory Overload
Inaya Mikhael
Person with Epilepsy
Age:
32 years old
Status:
In a relationship
Location:
Zürich, Switzerland
Occupation:
WFH Customer Service
Personality:
Energetic, Involved
Disability:
Epilepsy
Bio:
Inaya spends her days helping others communicate their needs and finds herself wanting a break from communicating her own needs. She was diagnosed with epilepsy in her late teen years and is still learning her triggers.
Behaviors:
Inaya stresses about triggers for her seizures. This stress feeds into a cycle and increases her overall anxiety.
Inaya’s stress of not being able to move around freely with out her chronic back-pain.
Inaya often worries about whether or not she has taken her daily medication.
Inaya gets frustrated with having to constantly communicate her needs to loved ones.
Needs & Goals
Conscious Surroundings
Self-Monitoring Health Resource
Accommodation Without Alienation
Emergency Resources
Pain Points
Seizures
Inaccessibility of the world around her
Chronic Pain
Empathy Maps
Alex follows a homeschooling schedule from 8am to 3:30pm.
Says
Expresses a desire for clear schedules and routines.
May communicate discomfort or sensory challenges during specific activities.
Seeks assistance in understanding and managing time effectively.
Thinks
Considers the impact of sensory stimuli on focus and learning.
Reflects on the importance of incorporating special interests into the curriculum.
May strategize ways to make the learning environment more comfortable.
Does
Follows the established homeschooling schedule diligently.
Engages in self-regulation activities during breaks.
Seeks out preferred activities and interests during learning sessions.
Feels
Feels overwhelmed by sensory stimuli during certain activities.
Experiences satisfaction and engagement when special interests are integrated into lessons.
Desires a sense of control over the learning environment and schedule.
Problems
Struggles with sensory overload during specific tasks or times of the day.
Faces challenges with adhering to schedules.
Encounters difficulty in transitioning between different activities.
Goals
Aims to complete educational tasks with minimal sensory distractions.
Strives to better understand and manage time independently.
Hopes to create a positive and engaging learning experience tailored to individual needs.
Inaya starts her day at 6 AM to start working from home and clocks out at 5 PM to wind down.
Says
Thinks
Reflects on the impact of stress on her overall well-being.
Considers ways to self-monitor and manage stress levels effectively.
Reflects on the need for accommodation without feeling alienated.
Does
Actively seeks conscious and accommodating surroundings.
Engages in self-monitoring activities to manage stress.
Seeks emergency resources and plans for contingencies.
Physical Therapy to combat pain.
Feels
Experiences anxiety and stress related to potential seizure triggers.
Desires a sense of control and security in emergency situations.
Frustration with the constant need to communicate personal needs.
Problems
Struggles with the unpredictability of seizures.
Faces challenges in accessing certain environments due to her condition.
Experiences frustration and fatigue from continuous communication about her needs.
Goals
The resulting product and app allows Sky Guardian users to have a simple and stress-free experience that offers multiple comfort and safety accomodations for several disabilities.
Guardian Link
A wearable device so Guardian can easily access user's biometric data. Cheaper than a smart watch so all household members can have their own.
Updated Home Page
Creates a simple hub for users to check important details like locking status, temperature, and the user's major biometric information.
CloudVision
Shows recent history of other household members on the app to monitor changes to minimize redundant or counteractive commands.
HealthSync
Incorporates biometric data to automatically adjust the environment. For example, in high stress situations, the user can program Guardian to monitor when their heart rate increases past their baseline and trigger commands like dimming the lights or lowering the temperature of the room the user is in. In emergency situations, Guardian can also call emergency services and contacts.
Gesture
Customizable settings allow users to tailor gestures for certain responses from Guardian, whether it's saying "lock" to lock the front door or raising your hand to increase the tempertaure in a room. This allows users to prioritize their unique needs.
Guardian Link
This wearable device tracks users biological data to help curate their home environment.
Here, the outcomes and projected benefits of the project are highlighted.
Enabling Inclusivity
As we innovate, accessible homes become the building blocks of an inclusive society where everyone can reach their full potential.
Fostering Independence
By integrating accessibility features, we can empower users to thrive. This independence fosters confidence to navigate the world.
Inspiring Innovation
Design should prioritize accessibility, and understanding it's a journey that begins at home is a good start. Homes are sanctuaries of comfort and control.