Snuggle
2022
ROLE
Product + Experience Design
Interface Design
Visual Design
DURATION
TOOLS
Three weeks
Figma, Adobe Creative Suite
PREFACE
We are all behind a touch screen that doesn't allow us to actually touch.
As the world expands, and globalization evolves, we find ourselves further away from a home.
Think about it, who do you miss right now?
USA has seen a 12% jump in the number of international students - away from home, parents, friends and family.
There has been a huge increase in the number of couples in long-distance relationships who cannot interact physically or talk to each other face-to-face on a daily basis.
Despite the fact that Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) tools provide a wide variety of communication channels, evidence suggests that the current mainstream technologies are unable to support the full spectrum of communication needed in intimate relationships (Hassenzahl et al., 2012).
one of the most crucial human needs is touch
How might we
explore the boundaries of digital intimacy to provide a sense of physical connectivity for people who are away from their loved ones?
In this global world of innovation, design and science we must find new ways for intimacy and togetherness.
INTRODUCING SNUGGLE
Snuggle is a wearable device that aims to compensate for the lack of human touch by mimicking a hug.
Designed to mimic the comfort of a Hug, Snuggle affectionately squeezes your body when you use it.
Through touch sensations and haptics, you can use this device to feel the presence of a loved one.
BUT, HOW DID I GET HERE?
"Being in a long distance relationship is so tough. Especially will time difference, it feels more difficult to feel his presence around me. Like if we are excited about something, we have to wait 5 hours to share it with each other"
TALKING TO PEOPLE
Conducting interviews with people who are away from their loved ones
"Since I moved away from home, I miss my mother everyday, I keep wanting to hug her every time we video call. I think it’s also frustrating for her that she cannot just reach out and do it.”
Priya, 25
WHAT I LEARNT
A hug makes up for communication gaps, when it is difficult to find the words to express a feeling
Sound as a sense
Voice of a loved one was considered unique, reassuring and intimate
Chris, 27
“I miss those moments like at the end of the day when we sit close to each other on the sofa sharing a blanket while watching TV [...] we can talk as often as we like via WhatsApp but we can’t reach out and touch or hug as we sometimes would.”
Blake, 30
Working | Married 1 year
Working | LDR 2 years
Snuggle identifies important moments of longing and offers three functions that allow you to feel a person's presence.
Importance of an Embrace
In order to understand what I need to build, and how, I gained insights through in-depth interviews, observation and lots and lots of internet research.
International Student | Single
The world’s forever connectedness through a mobile phone - has lead to humans relying on external devices for connection
This device aims to provide physical comfort in this digital world.
“At the end of a tiring day, I just love to come home to a hug from my husband. That’s something I really crave.”
Identifying moments of longing and loneliness in people who are away from their loved ones
Asynchronous Connection
Most participants said it was challenging to be free at the same time as their loved one
Anika, 28
Student, Married 1 year
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Most people rely on video calls, messaging or posting online to stay connected, but most times, leaves them craving touch and feeling presence.
FORM
A meaningful tactile form that supports physical connection and represents the feeling and form of a hug.
A pillow with protruding arms
Low-fi Prototype
KEY POINTS
Participants shared that hugging a pillow creates a kind of compression that feels like a hug
It was recorded that most participants use a pillow to hug while sleeping
Why a pillow as a form?
Personal Wearable Item
Integrated as a part of your home
Ability to hug, sleep and lounge with
CREATING A BRAND AND DESIGN SYSTEM
Building UI elements, icons, typeface, colours
DIVING INTO THE IN APP EXPERIENCE
Navigation Bar
Home
Connect
Video
Video
Profile
Profile
USE CASE 1
Using Snuggle to Hug
Users can use the hug feature, adjust the intensity of hugs and haptics according to what feels most comfortable and real to them.
USE CASE 2
Home
Connect
Using Snuggle to Sleep
Users can treat Snuggle like a pillow, to hug while sleeping and feeling their loved one’s presence in real time.
The sleep feature identifies a bunch of factors that allows presence to be felt. It allows the users to toggle and play around with what feels most comfortable to them.
USE CASE 2
Using Snuggle to Listen
While interacting with Snuggle, users can use the feature of Listen to be able to hear a bed time story, a thoughtful voice note, or the sound of familiar snoring that you might have gotten used to.
TAKEAWAYS AND FURTHER STEPS
REFINED FORM
USER TESTING
SCALABILITY
With more time, and to assess future possibilities, I would explore designing the form as a more accessible and portable device.
By actually inculcating the haptics and features like sound, I would love to have it tested by user groups of people in long distance relationships.
After learning how large the problem of touch deficit is, I wonder if reliance on external products for touch is the future of establishing contact while retaining globalization and keeping mental health in mind. If so, how can I make this a more scalable home/travel device
Other Works
Comic Sans
Kodiak Icon Suite
New Phone Who Dis?
