Find tranquil in modern living for sound-sensitive individuals

Overview

Highly sensitive persons (HSPs) possess a unique trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity, characterized by a heightened responsiveness to environmental stimuli. About 15-20% of the human population possess this trait. If you often feel overwhelmed by noise, lights, or other sensory inputs, you might be one too — take the test here. As an HSP myself, I know firsthand the challenges and rewards of navigating life with this sensitivity. This experience inspired me to design an app that empowers HSPs to enhance their well-being by providing practical tools and guidance. The app also aims to help those who may not yet realize they are highly sensitive discover solutions to their "unrecognized problems" and ultimately find a sense of ease and belonging in their daily lives.

Impact

Received positive user feedback from user testing with our target users!

Role

Product designer

Team

Product manager

Scope

Concept research, user research, rapid prototyping, user testing

Why this project

15-20% of the human population are highly sensitive (to sounds)

Highly sensitive person (sensory-processing sensitivity), is an innate trait associated with increased sensitivity of the central nervous system and heightened responsiveness to environmental stimuli. Sound sensitivity is one of the most common characteristics.

Data from current research

These sound-sensitive individuals can feel overwhelmed by environmental stimuli, struggling to find quiet places or feel at ease.

Final solution

01 / Find Peace 

Personalized Recommendations of Quiet Spots

Receive tailored content based on the user's noise exposure history, location, and preferences

02 / Stay mindful 

Real-time Noise Monitor

Smart wristband equipped with a noise sensor to continuously monitor the surrounding sound level. Users can receive immediate noise-relevant alerts on both mobile app and wristband.

03 / Give Feedback 

Simple & Easy User Feedback

Provide quick feedback on comfort and quietness of their visits. Help the system learn your likes and dislikes.

User Interview

Interview to learn more about living with sound sensitivity

I interviewed people who identified as highly-sensitive persons to understand their experiences living with sensitivity, ways they relax, and favourite apps.

interview insights

Photo Collection

Our target users enjoy nature, peace and stability

I conducted my field study by collecting photos from users and try to find patterns in their day-to-day. Exploring common themes and topics in life photos that my users send me, I discovered common themes.

Portfolio example
Portfolio example

Photos categorized

Pain points & opportunities

Design opportunities inspired from pain-points

Pain point #1: Struggle to find quiet places and relax

"Noise gives me headache and moodswings. I can't live without my headphones."

Pain point #2: Easily overstimulated and overwhelmed by loud environments

“To avoid uncertain envioroment, I usually work from home."

Pain point #3: Have little control over their daily sensory experiences

“Going to familar spots give me a sense of order and control."

Opportunity #1: Help users discover quiet places more easily

Opportunity #2: Avoid sensory triggers and potentionlly loud spots

Opportunity #3: Provide information about enviromen noise, empowering decision making

Reflection

Reflection

Designing for a niche user group has taught me…

Early Concept Validation is Crucial When Experimenting

  • Conducting early concept validation is absolutely essential. Utilizing low-fidelity designs and sketches not only helps convey ideas but also allows for greater adaptability and detachment from initial concepts.

  • Considering how screen sizes affect product content and interaction patterns is key; for example, users may prefer reading lengthy educational content on smaller phone screens.

Design with Success Metrics in Mind

  • In this project, when user feedback is critical for personalization, forms should be easy to fill out and designed to be frictionless, minimizing mental load and enhancing completion rates.

  • While colors can be subjective, they significantly shape emotions experienced. This understanding should guide the selection and application of primary brand colors in my designs.

Ensure Alignment with Design Goals

  • It's easy to become engrossed in the details. so I found that regularly checking to ensure that the design and interactions still serve the defined design goals is vital to maintaining focus.

Interested in how I navigated the challenge? Reach out to me for a deep dive of the project!