Paul,

Project Overview

Overview

This product cares about how you wake up and – more importantly – how you feel when you wake up. Unlike conventional alarm clocks that wake you up abruptly, this product will make sure you wake up feeling your best.

Aims

This product will be a revolutionary alarm clock, focusing on having a healthy wake up that leaves you fresh and ready to start your day, while also ensuring you get out of bed on time. However, the product benefits don’t stop there – it aims to be more than just an ordinary alarm clock.

The Problem

Waking up in the morning can be tough. Many people struggle to get up in the morning, no matter if you’re waking up at 5am or 9am.

The manner in which we awaken and the method we employ can significantly impact our mood and energy levels for the day ahead. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to begin our day in the optimal manner. Waking up correctly can result in increased happiness, enhanced energy levels, and the avoidance of that unpleasant grogginess associated with mornings.

Research indicates that conventional alarm clocks may actually impede our mood, elevate our blood pressure, and leave us feeling even more fatigued.

The Solution

Paul - your wake up buddy 

Paul is not your typical alarm clock; it aspires to revolutionize the way we wake up, championing healthy wake-up methods to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to kickstart your day. Whether you're an early riser or someone who enjoys a bit of extra sleep, Paul is designed to cater to your unique needs.

Avoid the Snooze Button

The pebble is a small component featured on the top of the product that acts as your alarm switch. Here is how it works:

1) Before you go to bed, simply place the pebble in another part of the room.

2) When your alarm goes off, the pebble will light up.

3) Hop out of bed and grab the pebble.

4) Place the pebble back on top to turn your alarm off.

Research

Conventional alarms often result in abrupt awakenings, causing a sudden spike in blood pressure and leaving you feeling even more fatigued.

Ways to wake up better

- Don’t hit the snooze button
- Expose yourself to bright light
- Drink water
- Wait on coffee
- Use gentle vibrations
- Play some tunes
- Stretch
- Go to bed at the right time
- Have a comfortable sleeping environment (room that is dark, cool and quiet)
- Aromatherapy diffuser
- Use sleeping apps
- Avoid screens before and after bed

User Interviews

Negative affects of an alarm

Study published in the journal Sleep suggests that those who use an alarm clock to wake up are more tired than those who wake up naturally.

Social jetlag- disrupting the sleep cycle, every hour of weekly social jet lag, a person was 33 per cent more likely to be overweight.

Causes stress.

Performance loss- sleep inertia is a tired state of poor mental and physical performance

Higher blood pressure and heart rate. (R.Zalani, 2023)  

Hitting the snooze button

The average American sets four different alarms to wake up on a normal day. However, about one in 10 of those surveyed don’t set an alarm at all. Overall, 72 per cent snooze between one and four separate times on any given morning, and 16 per cent avoid snoozing it all together. 

Almost every person I interviewed said that they would hit the snooze button at least 3-4 times per week, with some interviewees saying they hit the snooze button every morning.

In my interviews, an overwhelming majority of individuals revealed a habitual tendency to hit the snooze button multiple times throughout the week, averaging between 3 to 4 instances. Moreover, there were instances where interviewees openly admitted to hitting the snooze button without fail each morning.

Design Development

In the initial stages of the project, early sketches explored a myriad of shapes and styles, generating various concepts and envisioning the project's functionality. Feedback received during this phase emphasised the desire for the project to deviate from the conventional lamp design, advocating for a distinctive aesthetic that transcends typical technological attributes, leaning towards a more artistic presence, akin to an adornment for one's bedside.

Exploring Form

Throughout the design development process, I placed a significant emphasis on exploring form, aiming to push the boundaries of conventional shapes and structures. Experimentation with various forms allowed me to innovate and create designs that are both visually striking and functionally efficient. By prioritising form exploration, I sought to uncover unique and captivating design solutions that resonate with users on an aesthetic and emotional level.

In my design development journey, I dedicated considerable attention to exploring the alarm switch mechanism. Delving deep into this aspect allowed me to innovate and refine the user experience associated with activating and deactivating the alarm. Through meticulous exploration, I aimed to create a seamless and intuitive switch mechanism that enhances usability and elevates the overall functionality of the product.