GLO STIC Anna Skaret-Ball anna_skaret_ball@hotmail.co.uk
PROBLEM SPACE AND RATIONALE FRAMING THE PROBLEM
“Sleep is a required activity not an option”
‘Sleep is a required activity, not an option’ (National Institute of Health, 2003). From initial research, reading of literature, journal papers and books, it was clear that sleep is an important activity. Although the function of sleep is yet to be confirmed and are still only theories, what is definite is that it is required for our bodies and brains to function effectively. Although we recognise the importance of sleep and that good quality, uninterrupted rest each night is the ideal, this is often not experienced by many, with a recent growing concern of this in adolescents. Recent newspaper articles, journals and research papers can all be seen to document clear evidence that 21st century gadgets are consuming the lives of teenagers, with the main concern focused on the negative implications it can have on their sleep. Utilisation of such digital devices before bed has been evidenced to impact the bodys’ internal body clock, the circadian rhythym, potentially delaying it so the user doesn’t feel sleepy until later on in the night. Not only does this impact on the teenager, who, as a result, experiences less sleep which is also likely to be broken from device distractions, but it also has an impact on the parent. Although parents are usually aware of night time device use by their teen, due to the inability to relate to the excessive activity and sometimes unfamiliarity with the devices being used, it can be difficult to enforce rules on their use. The design process has been focused on looking at how these problems for both the primary user, the adolescent and secondary consumer, the parent, can be addressed through the creation of one product solution.
National Institute of Health
Anna Skaret-Ball
THE DESIGN BRIEF
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 17 PRODUCT DESIGN
PROBLEM SPACE AND RATIONALE
When beginning the project, the initial brief set was to design a product which improves the quality of adolescent sleep, by reducing the need to use electronic devices. The brief was primarily focused on the adolescent needs and although the parent was recognised as a secondary user, it wasn’t until speaking to to them as research participants, that it was fully understood that their needs within the project were equally as important and thus equally influential on the designs. Having a better understanding of both users and the problem in more detail, the final brief which the solution, GloStic, addresses is: ‘To design a compact light therapy product which connects to devices, for use by the adolescent and implementation by the parent, to improve adolescent sleep quality by reducing device use before bed. Thus creating better sleep routines and improving the lighting environment for the adolescent.’