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FOCUS is a UX design concept for an app and earbuds aimed at noise management for neurodivergent people, especially those with autism.
FOCUS is a UX design concept for an app and earbuds aimed at noise management for neurodivergent people, especially those with autism.
Timing: October 2021 - January 2022
Role: Project Lead, Concept Designer (Group Project)
Timing: October 2021 - January 2022
Role: Project Lead, Concept Designer (Group Project)
Overview
Overview
FOCUS is a UX concept for an app and accompanying earbuds designed to help neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, manage auditory sensitivity. The app connects to earbuds that use imagined AI to filter, suppress, or amplify sounds based on real-time needs, enabling users to adjust their auditory environment for comfort and focus. FOCUS centers on in-ear earbuds designed to connect to a smartphone or smartwatch, enabling users to choose preset or custom sound-filtering options. The Intelligent Noise Cancelling Assistant, INCA, an imagined AI-powered mascot I designed and illustrated, manages these settings and offers real-time, location-based filtering tailored to users’ needs.
Process
Process
Our design process included:
Persona Development based on neurodivergent auditory needs.
Storyboarding Use Cases helped visualize real-world application scenarios.
Wireframing key interfaces and interactions for smooth user navigation.
Style Guide to support a coherent look and accessible design.
Prototyping functional prototype in Adobe XD.
Features
Features
Customizable Sound Filters: Users can set personalized sound filters or try out community-shared presets.
INCA: I designed INCA, the app’s mascot, that assists with app navigation, provides spoken instructions, and suggests sound settings based on the user’s location. With its gender-neutral voice, “Q,” INCA reads text aloud for accessibility and offers a friendly, approachable tone.
Sensory-Friendly: The earbuds and case, which I designed, cater to users with sensory sensitivities, featuring tap controls, water resistance, and a tactile-friendly casing.
Accessible UI: High-contrast themes, adjustable font sizes, and clean, streamlined navigation support ease of use and minimize visual overstimulation.
User Experience
User Experience
Our focus was a clean design that minimizes sensory overload, offering options like text-to-speech, adjustable fonts, and contrasting themes for different user needs. INCA acts as a friendly, approachable assistant, making FOCUS easy to use for both kids and adults. Plus, the earbuds auto-adjust based on the sound environment, which gives users more control over their day without distractions.
Future Ideas
Future Ideas
We envisioned a bunch of possible extensions for FOCUS, including a community website, expanded language options, and an AI advanced enough to filter body sounds like heartbeat or swallowing. A kid-friendly version with smaller earbuds and a tracking feature for lost earbuds could also be handy, making FOCUS accessible to young users and their families.
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