The goal of this project was to design an innovative product that makes use of the existing infrastructure of light sockets and fixtures and is of value to the consumer. To accomplish this I conducted research in and outside of the lighting industry. I interviewed people about the lighting in their lives and created a persona, scenario storyboard and product vision. Finally, I prototyped the app and conducted user testing to validate my concept.
Lighting — how we use it, receive it and control it — is being re-imagined as the Internet of Things transforms the products in our lives into smarter and more connected objects. The ubiquity of light sockets and fixtures presents the industry with a unique opportunity. The opportunity to innovate and make use of the existing infrastructure while providing value to the consumer is the industry’s challenge. Success in this endeavor could help lighting companies remain competitive.
The group research component included ethnographic field research, observing one-on-one interviews and a focus group around people’s feelings about lighting. This initial exploratory research revealed a tension between the desire to access more natural light during the day, the need to keep light out at night and privacy.
Follow up literature research and additional user interviews conducted on my own confirmed:
Dichotomy Windows gives a user ultimate control in privacy and light management. Using the home’s existing windows, privacy is created by turning the window into one-way glass. People inside the home can see out, however, the view in is blocked. A byproduct is that the need for window coverings, for any reason beyond aesthetic, is eliminated. The one-way glass privacy feature does not block light from entering the window and, with the elimination of window coverings, the user is now able to access all of the natural light available. In addition, with window coverings removed, outdoor views are completely unobstructed.
Emerging technologies in the research and development of the Internet of Things suggests the possibility of creating Dichotomy Windows is within a future realm of possibility. No doubt gaps exist in the technology required to create this product today but the general idea of how it might work is laid out in the Design Implementation section.
Wendy — primary decision maker for home purchases with enough discretionary income for non-necessities
Goals
Challenges
The initial response to the prototype and product idea was positive. The next step would include iterating on the prototype by incorporating user testing discoveries and filling the app out more completely with things like onboarding and additional user flows. The physical product would also need to be prototyped and tested along with the app in user’s homes.