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proactive therapeutic device with companion app
helping people transform their relationship with anxiety through gentle haptic support and AI-guided lesson games based in CBT
client
team
time
location
role
skills
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Confidential Silicon Valley Tech Leader
5 CCA graduate students
Sep - Nov 2024
Mountain View, CA
Lead Product Designer
Industrial Hardware Design
Motion Graphics
Concept Sketching
Concept Storyboarding
Design Research
Rapid Prototyping
Usability Testing
Figma
Blender
Procreate
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Context
A 10x approach to mental health innovation
Radical design for semi-secret R&D tech leader in Mountain View, CA
To address a "Moonshot" problem in global healthcare my team and I leveraged the advent of A.I. technology to reach for 10x impact. We uncovered the giant problem area of untreated/under-treated anxiety, and designed a bold, scalable solution within the scope of 7 weeks. We researched, ideated, and iterated rapidly, landing on a small but mighty wedge for growth.
01
Exploration & Problem Framing
I conducted extensive research on global health issues -- mental and physical -- and their current treatment solutions. I explored different gaps in existing treatment pipelines in which AI could come in as a radical, accessible disruptor.
We identified anxiety as a critical and underserved area, with a market gap in therapeutic tools integrating tech-based coping mechanisms.
02
Divergence to Convergence
We conducted 9 in-depth interviews with people living with anxiety. We identified major themes and pain points, generating diverse ideas using creative matrix brainstorming. We then created affinity maps to lay out the vicious cycle of anxiety, pinpointing unique user needs and structuring three major energy phases that we found them in.
We zeroed in on the "Energy Poltergeist" as our target user -- solving for the demographic in most need would allow us to solve for the widest reach of people.
03
Prototyping It
As lead product designer, I took charge of transforming our ideas and user insights into working prototypes. We cycled through three rounds of iterations, starting with rough sketches of three potential solution areas -- on-body accessories, smart garments, and interactive "pocket friend" devices.
Phase 1 : on-body accessories? smart garments? interactive "pocket friends"?
concept sketches for Phase 1 prototypes
Phase 2: AI-powered fluffy e-pet keychain device with integrated CBT game
We voted on Concept 3 -- interactive pocket friend -- as our solution area to go forward with. We loved its unique gameplay companionship feature, its portable keychain design, and its capacity for personalized AI-powered CBT therapy. Our next steps focused on hammering down its functionality, appearance, and testing criteria.
storyboard for Phase 2 prototype, "o.heal"
Phase 3: modular pebble keychain device with bluetooth-powered app integration
Following feedback from our client company, we recognized that we needed a much more streamlined, universal design to reach the widest range of audiences. While doing so, we maintained space for affordable, customizable shells. Furthermore, we updated our single-device unit to a dual device-app integration, doing away with a small screen and utilizing existing phone screen space. This pairing further connected our device with users' ecosystem of smart devices via Bluetooth, improving its non-intrusive centralization and processing of user data.
3D renders and animations made with Blender
lifestyle images made with Adobe Photoshop
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we made paired app wireframes in Figma
04
User Feedback
fakedoor website with embedded product explainer video
I collaborated with teammates on a fake-door website and product explainer video to gather feedback from 20 participants, demonstrating 75% interest in adoption. They loved OpO's sensory feedback, discreet portability, and clean aesthetics. They appreciated the product's unique blend of immediate relief and compassionate support for long-term growth. However, some expressed concerns around the device's size, data privacy, and actual impact of results. Others suggested potential for collaboration with practicing therapists.
“It solves the problem and looks pretty, I want it. I am interested in your promise. Love it, Freaking want it.” - Simran
“There is no destination called ‘all better now’ and so a device like this seems uniquely poised to offer continuous improvement through different means.” - Bobby
“When I’m actually breaking down, I just need something simple.” - Yao
05
Onwards
We presented the final prototype to our client company's Design Kitchen team, securing support for further development and aligning the solution with a $30.6B market opportunity.
OpO shifts the tech health paradigm from one of reactive tracking to that of proactive therapy. We transform users’ relationship with anxiety into one of empowering self-discovery, addressing one of the most intractable health challenges of our time with a bold, scalable solution.