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Brian KennedyDesign Portfolio 2015

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MotiA new wearable interaction that allows for the exchange of subtle emotional cues for partners in long-distance relationships.

Brian Kennedy5 months, 2014University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Ren is a recent college graduate.He works M-S from 8am to 6pm.

Cassie is a university student.She keeps a busy, inconsistent schedule

Ren & Cassie live over 10,000km apart...

Chicago, IllinoisTokyo, Japan

4*In a survey of 100 LDR participants

60%of respondents said they dealt with a difference in time zones

[Time differences] limit communication times, but lines up some key moment of free time.

If he has to work the whole afternoon, we aren’t able to talk. By the time he comes home from work, I’m already in bed.

Sometimes we just miss speaking to each other because the other went to bed just as the other woke up.

We would both get frustrated and it put a strain on the time we were actually talking to each other.

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Current product-scapeIntimacy through technology

There is opportunity for a practical, device that can help build intimacy over distance.

Gimmicky

In-convenient

Meaningful

Practical

Target Solution

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Wearable tech - Tangible user interfaces - Intimacy through technology

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Concept Selection

Wearable bracelet that allows for communication of mood and feeling through light & color.

With wearables as the forefront of technology, how can we use them to change the way that we communicate with one another?

The product should be able to improve non-verbal communication and instill a feeling of closeness by helping to build intimacy.

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10 “interactive” prototypes were made for user testing

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“You don’t want people to assume that it is just a mood ring.”

“Tapping is easier than pressing or pinching. It also feels more intimate. Like a tapping language.”

“About the color…. The definition of color will change between cultures.”

“Constant communication builds trust. Technology today allows LDRs to be possible & enjoyable”

Getting prototype feedbackTo review the prototypes, I returned to talk to some of my initial interview participants to get their feedback on the concept. They told me which concepts fit best into their lifestyle and chose their 3 favourite designs.

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Feedback analysis

Dedicated cue buttons

Square Half Dial

- -- - 0 0

- -

-

-- -- -- - 0 0Squeeze action small --

7 1.4- 11 2State switch 21

Squeeze action large 9 2.25-1 3 3 -26 2- - 1 2Single button 3-

8 2.6-23 3Circular dial --9 2.25- -2 3Touch Strap 13

Tactile strap buttons - -- - 0 0---

- 0 0

After compiling the data based on the multiple rankings given by the testing participants, the features of the top prototypes were taken and fused, taking into account the comments from user testing.

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Single time display & button pressChosen for familiarity & simplicity

Single time display & squeeze action

Dual time displays

Resolving time display & input

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Introducing Moti

Smartwatch for communicating emotion & presence over distance

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Signing up to use Moti

The Moti mobile app is plug’n play.

Set up your Moti watch to sync with your long distance partner.

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Colors were chosen based on user feedback and psychological research. They can be customized by either parter at any time.

Fully customizable moods & colors

IrritatedLonging

Sad

Neutral

Enthusiastic

Calm

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Hardware interactions

Moti watch face doubles as the main hardware button.

The color ring is a capacitative touch wheel.

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Interaction: Sending cues

Shows your time, partner’s mood

Select mood cues to send

Single tap display

Multi-directionalgesture

Mood cue sent,return to Home

Home State

Quickly and easily send emotional cues to your long-distance partner.

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JapanTokyo Time (UTC +9)

United StatesCentral Time (UTC -5)

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Moti uses an included wireless charging for a cord free experience

Because the watch utilizes LEDs, bluetooth, & touch pad, it requires charging on a daily basis.

Qi wireless charging standard

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Component overview

Inductive charging ringMagnetic adhesive backing

Lithium Ion batteryPCB / motherboard

Stainless casingRGB LED strip

Capacitative touch ringTranslucent button

Rear casing

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ImmerseA bathroom of the future project targeting bathroom relaxation with a focus on rapid product ideation & development.

Brian Kennedy, Ani Lagos, Collin Akkeman, Amanda Tiberi1 Week, 2013University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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What makes a bathroom relaxing?

Environment Aroma SolitudeCleanliness

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Ideation processBeginning with 12 total concepts, brainstormed in 1 hour time frame, we each pitched 3 concepts that were eliminated by voting rounds of our peers based on merit & feasibility.

Floating meditation timer Electric towel Glowing temp. orbGlowing room divider

Mist machine Fragrance fanBacklit faucet Bathroom projector

LED mood candles Mini heat lamp Bath salt infuserMassage bath pillow

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Voting rounds

Concepts were developed throughout the process, until the bath salt infuser was chosen.

Ideation Sketch Modeling Project Focus

Bath Salt Infuser

LED Mood Candles

Glowing room divider

Massage bath pillow

Bath Salt Infuser

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Empathic modeling was an important step to identify pain points...

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1) Salt dissolves best when the water is the hottest.

2) It takes more salt than anticipated for the benefits to take effect.

3) The salts take time to dissolve in the water. Getting in too early results in salts not dissolving entirely.

Findings:

A soak requires 1/3 cup of salts minimum

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Soothedirritations

Reducedstress

Reducedtenderness

Improvedcirculation

Benefits of using bath salts regularly include...

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We set out to create a solution that could be enjoyable for users of all ages.

2-5 yrs 20-45 yrs 55+ yrsPlaytime & bubblebath

sessions for kidsRelieving mom’s stress after a hectic workday

Soaks to reduce swelling due to an aging body

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Testing proved that the enough salt could be dissolved by the running facet.

Once this was confirmed, we did some quick ideation.

What is the best system of delivery? We settled on a “open” concept that would still feel complete even if no bath salts were being used. A small mesh sachet should be filled with salts and placed in the mouth of the facet.

Concept testing scenario

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The infuser was switched from a cup style infuser to a small sachet to avoid a disposable feeling.

Continued ideation...

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ImmerseBathroom fixture for a relaxing lifestyle

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Curry CompanionProduct design targeting the high end food storage market in India. An exercise in designing for culture and connectivity.

Brian Kennedy, Loh Min Hwe5 months, 2012National University of SingaporeCollaboration with

World Kitchen Asia Pacific

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After making home visits to learn from Indians living at different socio-economic levels throughout Singapore, we learned that eating with the hand is a common experience across India

Gentle gestures

Flowing movements

Bite-sized portions

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Meet Bharti

“I eat with my hand at work. It’s about tradition, but it also feels more natural.”

Bharti is a professional but even in the workplace she wants to be able to eat her food in a familiar and comfortable manner.

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Middle Class Indians

Eating with the hand

For meals away from home

Identifying user, task, & environment

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Affordable, durable material

Stackable, secure food compartments

Heat retention is poor, difficult to reheat

Handle may limit convenience

May leak liquids & sauces

Tiffin Lunch Carrier

A commonly used meal container in India, often contains rice, curry, dal, and chapatis (spicy meats).

Two different eating experiences

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Banana Leaf

A natural eating utensil, used for special eating occasions, emphasizes eating with the hand.

Large, flexible, waterproof

Cannot be reused

Cannot store or carry food

Food is easily accessible

Used to help cook & flavor food

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Current products on the market only partially meet the

needs of the Indian consumer.

ElegantKitsch

High End

Low End

Glass and ceramics represent the bulk of premium kitchenware

Tupperware and Lock & Lock are prominent storage container brands

Proliferation of plastic kitchenware and storage in the lower-range

Current product-scape

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What if we could combine the elegance of the banana leaf with the usefulness of the tiffin?

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Initial concept ideation - Design for eating with the hand

A concept with a feasible folding mechanism, partnered with a natural pulling action was chosen.

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Concept refinement

Concept refinement focused on improving the folding action & other functional aspects like the lid / shape.

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Design is functional, but appears untrustworthy.

Testing insight: increase reliability

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Wall fold mechanism redesigned to improve stability. Promotes confidence.

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Curry Companion expands to create a larger eating surface

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Comments on manufacturing

Candidate materialsMain shell: PolypropyleneJoints: Thermo Plastic Elastomer

Both materials... • Are food-safe • Can form complex shapes • Are highly reusable • Have excellent heat resistance

Orca engineers stated:Co-injection moulding is possible forhigh production volume, and various surface finishing.

Consider reducing the footprint to only two food sections for better mold flow to help ensure variable thicknesses are achieved.

After a consultation with...

Engineering firm, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

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4 5

2 31

Two dividers separate portions to keep the meal fresh

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Slam Ball PackagingPackaging mock-up for multiple sized fitness slam balls, modeled after Crane packaging in Australia.

Brian Kennedy1 week, 2014SKY Worldwide Export

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Die cut specifications

The packaging die cuts are essentially the same for all three sizes. Some graphics had to be resized. Product photos taken by Brian (or used with permission)

9.1 x 9.1 x 9.1 in(23.2 x 23.2 x 23.2 cm)

6 kg

9 kg9.7 x 9.7 x 9.7 in(24.7 x 24.7 x 24.7 cm)

12 kg10.3 x 10.3 x 10.3 in(26.2 x 26.2 x 26.2 cm)

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Front Side

Graphics overview

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Some of the companies design guidelines were kept in-tact, while some liberties were taken with others, specifically the side and the rear designs.

Back Top

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Each size is also differentiated by color, product number, a small decal identifying ball weight/size.

Graphics overview

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The final mock-ups rendered using Solidworks and Photoshop.

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Refrigerator Icon ExerciseAfter a brief field research stint at local suppliers, I felt there was an opportunity to re imagine icon sets for the refrigerator.

Brian Kennedy1 week, 2014

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Interior food icons

Fruits Vegetables MeatsEggs

IceCondimentsDrinksMilk

Desserts

PizzaIce cream

Bread

Icons made to indicate where food items should be placed inside the refrigerator or freezer.

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Exterior dispenser icons

Ice Controls: Cube, Crushed, OffHot / Cold Water

Ice Boost Measured Fill

Temperature Controls & Display Temperature Icon

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Lock / Unlock Toggle Alarm Notification

Light On / Off ToggleVolume Control: Levels 0-3

Air FilterWater Filter

Exterior dispenser icons

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Icon panel mockup

Context Example #1 Context Example #2

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Ex. control panel logic

Temperature Display Toggle Options

Extra Features System NotificationsWater & Ice

The stylized render can be customized to present iterations to consumers during usability testing.

Would also be important to take into account the engineering constraints of the display panel.

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Thank YouBrian Kennedyhello@briken.co