Prompt
Design a smart object
10-weeks
Fall 2024
Solo
As remote work continues to grow, so do concerns about distractions that may arise at home.
What are these distractions and how can we account for them?
What are these distractions and how can we account for them?
Where do people prefer to work?
*Information from survey w/ 26 responses
- Ava, 21
- Kenny, 23
SURVEY INSIGHTS
So what is the Pomodoro Method?
PRODUCT BENCHMARKING
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES
Adjustable
It should be fully flexible— with a range of motion to fit all workspaces.
Removes Distractions
Shouldn’t have to rely on the user to eliminate distractions, the product should support the user.
Shouldn’t have to rely on the user to eliminate distractions, the product should support the user.
Accountablity
Accountability is necessary for sustaining focus— it should keep the user accountable and on track.
01 Smart
02 Modern
03 Intuitive
I began by exploring three concepts—a desk lamp, an aromatherapy device, and a productivity tracker—each aimed at enhancing focus through unique sensory cues like light or scent. The desk lamp emerged as the strongest direction due to the well-established link between lighting and productivity.
I focused on the smart interaction of the Pomodoro task lamp, designing it to be powered by the user's phone as an incentive to reduce screen time. I also explored a portable piece to support healthy study habits outside of the home.
What is it?
Hierlūm is a task lamp powered by your phone— the light only stays on if your phone stays put. Once the phone is in the dock, notifications are silenced and the Hierlūm app opens. If you take your phone off before a break, the lamp shuts off, and the app logs the time until it’s returned.
Why?
Staying focused is increasingly difficult—
around 50% of people have issues concentrating. Between constant notifications and distracting environments, staying on task can feel impossible. Techniques like the Pomodoro Method help with time management, but they
don’t actively keep you focused.
PORTABLE
The portable element can be taken on the go— enabling users to continue building focus habits within the Hierlūm system. It also contains an induction charger, keeping your phone charged and encouraging use. Pogo pins charge the puck when nested in the base.
FLEXIBLE
The lamp’s base features intuitive buttons for adjusting brightness and color temperature, allowing users to tailor lighting to their needs. The tray accommodates various phone sizes, encouraging users to place and leave their phone in the tray when in a focus session.
LIGHT CUES
Heirlūm uses cool light for focus and warm light for breaks, offering subtle visual cues that guide mode transitions without disruptive alerts. Cool light mimicks natural daylight, which helps improve alertness and sustained cocentration.
Heirlūm uses cool light for focus and warm light for breaks, offering subtle visual cues that guide mode transitions without disruptive alerts. Cool light mimicks natural daylight, which helps improve alertness and sustained cocentration.