Problem

Different workplaces have a different working environment. It is very important for a company’s Employer to know the frustration level of his employees. A happier and stress-free environment means that the employees will be performing better which will benefit the company. The stress of work at a workplace may sometimes also lead to a drop in work performance, depression and even anxiety.

Concept

So, I thought of a device that either takes a punch or takes a high five. This will be in the form of a character like a big cartoon mouse.

The users can either

1) punch in its stomach (which will have a soft cushion with a detector for measuring how hard they punched)

or

2) give the mouse a high five (a soft area near its hand with detectors as well).

A punch means the user is stressed while a high five means a user is overall happy and is having a good day.

The Employers will then receive weekly data of recorded punches and high fives which will further tell them if they need to bring changes to their work environment. The data will be collected by the detectors, depending on how hard they high five or punch.

Furthermore, if a user punches the mouse, it will prompt a response from the mouse that will tell the user to do a breathing exercise that will help them relax.

This concept is in motive to decrease the overall work-related stress and make the workplace a happy, stress-free environment.

(open image in a new tab for a bigger view)

Inspiration

I got my idea from talking to a friend about his workplace and the offices' stress environment. He shared his experience with me about how many of his colleagues were stressed out for work but would not say so. I hence started working upon this idea.

References:

Reynolds, C. J. (n.d.). The Sensing and Measurement of Frustration with Computers. 92.

Services, D. of H. & H. (n.d.). Work-related stress. Retrieved March 2, 2020, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au:443/health/healthyliving/work-related-stress

The Power of The High Five. (2017, October 5). Maki Performance Training. http://makiperformance.com/power-high-five/

Concept: SMASH IT - Relieving stress without making a mess, allowing you to smash, hit or break objects without making a mess!

What:

Allowing humans to relieve stress, anger, frustration that can come from a work environment, school/university or family situation. Using a non-destructive way allows people to smash, hit, bang, squash physical objects with force. This is then captured and displayed on a screen.

How:

Using everyday home objects, people can destroy them and this can relieve the stress or angry feelings. Some people enjoy breaking things and this is a perfect way to do so without making a mess and doing it safely.

The objects will be made of a malleable, sturdy foam that can pass the force through without actually destroying the object. There will be conductive sensors that can pick up the force and then translate this onto the screen. The screen will be gameified and the more an action is done the more red blocks will appear. It will be level-based.

Purpose:

• For stressed, angry individuals who want an alternate way of relieving their stress
• Non- destructive
• Playful and gamification
• Can be done in the home or in public (depends which is more entertaining)
• Visualisation of the stress or anger
• Can result in a happier state of mind
• Safe Environment

Concept Sketch:

Inspiration:

I drew my inspiration from a few different sources. They can be found in the image below along with the links as well. After some ideation and mind mapping of different things I could create a concept on I settled on the idea of human wellbeing and happiness. Using technology in a playful way to improve human happiness can be important in this day and age as it's all around us. And a message I took away from the HCI exercise - Human-Centered Symbiosis. Technology has to be integrated seamlessly into our lives to improve it. If it's not working for us in a purposeful way then why have it. It has to be beneficial and what better way to do that with happiness and ensuring we all have a good mental state.

Smash Splash - https://www.smashsplash.com.au/

Rage Room - https://www.ragecagesmashroom.com.au/about/

Stress Relief - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety#section12

Stress Relief Products - https://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/g3219/stress-relief-relaxation-products/