Damla Yenigun
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Humans feel about 7000 emotions a day yet are able to categorize them into about 15–20 general feelings. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) don’t have that ability, so they actually feel 7000 emotions. They get overwhelmed by this extreme amount of feelings and they become stressed. This is often misunderstood by others and it leads the autistic individual to find ways to mask their emotions in social situations.
SOLUTION
My goal is to design a wearable design that will create an emotional empathy system. With this product, I am hoping to create an environment where neurotypical people are more empathetic with autistic individuals, as well as helping autistic individuals to understand their emotions to manage their stressed and overwhelmed moments. The bracelet contains sensors that track the biometrics of the wearer and glows a gentle light to indicate the situation to themselves and those around them at any moment. This acts as an alert to the wearer and to others that the wearer is becoming stressed so that all can take actions to support each other and ask for assistance.
INITIAL IDEATION
After the research process, I started to explore initial ideation through sketches where I tried a variety of wearable designs that could work with my project’s goal.
IMPROVED IDEATION
After the initial ideation process I figured out that the bracelet form would allow portability, visibility and more affordability. I started exploring the bracelet form in different shapes and forms along with the placement on the arm. I realized that change of color of the product could be an effective way of translating emotions.
FINAL DESIGN DIRECTION
Afterward, to allow other people and the user to see the change of color on a product, I started to play around with the triangular form and how it would allow movement on the body and contact the skin. The contact part is an important factor since the product would collect biometric data, pulse, and skin temperature through sensory technology.
INITIAL MOCKUPS
I started exploring flatter, triangular and foldable forms.
Later, I wanted to see some wire forms that could be aesthetically interesting.
INITIAL RENDERINGS
After exploring quick mockups, I started to practice the form on Fusion 360 by creating quick models and renderings.
INITITAL APP DESIGN
TECHNICAL EXPLORATION
I came up with an app design that would connect to the product and warn others and the autistic individual through notification of overwhelmed and stressful situations.
In these moments, the app would send the individual a warning and notify with helpful exercises to cope with the challenging situation.
I created a quick initial look.
To understand the simple technology that my bracelet design would need, I collected a couple of tools and experimented with them.
I 3D printed the triangles to see how they would look in different sizes and drew circuit lines inside.
Applied the silver gel pen to see how the electrical ink would look like when I work on it later.
I attached some electrical tape and worked on some different materials such as sheet metal, aluminum folio, wires, and thread.
EXPERIMENTING WITH THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS
SKETCHING INTERNAL PARTS
I sketched Version #3 with the internal components to start understanding how I could move on with the next mockups.
FINAL FORM AND MECHANISM
I finally drew the final form and mechanism sketches about how the product would look like finally and how the internal technology would function.
After figuring out the final form, by using the electrical tape I created a PCB board surface where I later added the circuit ink to see how the circuit would circulate.
I finally drew the final form and mechanism sketches about how the product would look like finally and how the internal technology would function.
ELECTRICAL CIRCUT
I first figured out how the circuit, color change, and electrical ink works, then, I applied to my product’s form which is the triangles. I first tried it on a small sketch later passed it on to the mockup I did with the electrical tape.
FINAL MATERIAL
I cut the final material I am planing to laser cut for my prototype to see how it would look like. It is very flexible and comfortable.
FINAL PROTOTYPE PROCESS
For my final prototype, I started with 2D drawings with measurements on Illustrator to prepare the file for Lazer Cutter.
I cut the final material I am planing to laser cut for my prototype to see how it would look like. It is very flexible and comfortable.
Later, I layed out the internal components to have a clear understanding of the product as a whole.
After the Illustrator file was ready, I exported it into Rhino so that I could send it to the Lazer cutter. I cut the translucent rubber material as well as the internal PCB material. Because the PCB material was reflective, I had to cover the top with a cardboard piece to protect the shop from any kind of damage.
Once I cut the internal piece, I have started drawing the circuit on it with the electrical ink I purchased from the Circut Scribe Kit.
Here is a development shot from my prototyping process.
3D MODELING & PRINTING
I started 3D modeling some parts that can help me with rendering in the future. I also modeled some of the internal components to 3D print such as the battery and the sensory touch.