cocoon

2020 Product Design Finalist

Cocoon is a portable private workspace where users can enter its soundproof walls and shut the noise and lights of the office out while maintaining their productivity and drive. Combined with its corresponding desktop app, Cocoon tracks users’ usage and environment preferences to create significant insights for users’ usage patterns and understanding of their migraine preferences.

The Problem

Chronic migraines affect over 12 percent of the US population and 90% cannot work or function properly during a migraine episode.

This project was an 9-week team project for a Human Factors course at SCAD. During our research, we found that chronic migraines is the 6th most disabling illness in the world and 90% of sufferers cannot function normally during a migraine episode. Therefore, we focused our design on creating a solution for working migraine sufferers that allows them to continue their daily lives in comfort.

Migraine Data

96%

of participants experience extreme sensitivity to light and sound during a migraine.

For two weeks our group gathered data from sufferers of migraines ages 18 to 60 to gain a better understanding on the affects of migraines on participants and what their greatest obstacles were.

60%

of participants experience 1 to 5 migraines a month.

45%

of participants have inhibited motor functions during a migraine.

Personas

After we gathered our data, we created four separate personas to represent our different customer segments. Our segments are split into four criteria: Daily vs Infrequent migraines, and Willing vs Unable to work. With these personas, we were able to narrow our design focus.

The Process

From our data, we gained understanding of what our users wanted while experiencing a migraine.

- Understanding in the workplace

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- an isolated place to relax and care for migraine symptoms without making them worse

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-Maintain productivity at work despite migraine.

From these design criteria we decided to focus on a workplace based product, users like Ursula, that would enable users to maintain productivity while caring for their migraine. 

Features

Customizable Lighting

To help with sensitivity, Cocoon enables users to adjust light brightness to their needs. An additional green light option is offered to help lessen migraine pain.

Adjustable desk

Maintaining blood flow, posture, and comfort is important for anyone at work, mostly when trying to find comfort during a migraine. An adjustable desk helps users continue to customize their environment to their needs.

air flow 

Some users prefer cooling sensations during a migraine. Controlling the airflow strength allows users to control their temperature and environment to their comfort level.

Corresponding Interface

Users are able to track their Cocoon usage and preferences to monitor their migraines, make reservations of a Cocoon, and customize their Cocoon settings to fit their migraine needs.

What I Learned

01/

Overcoming barriers is exciting

Due to COVID-19, my team and I had to meet virtually through the span of 9 weeks, and throughout the interview and user testing process we experimented with various methods of testing to gather substantial results. Despite this barrier of virtual meeting, my team worked tirelessly to understand our users and their needs and develop a strong bond with one another as we worked towards a common goal. 

02/

Unique users means unique solutions

Migraines are a very individualistic neurological disease that affects each user differently. Unlike other disabilities which tend to either be outwardly seen or more spoken about, migraines are still a very minimally researched disease that many people tend to misunderstand. Due to this, our users requested we help create workplace understanding while allowing them to care for their migraine in peace and privacy. These design criteria enabled us to create a private workspace that adjusts itself to the user that can help create a norm in the workplace for needed isolation and mental health self-care.