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/

What is it?

Floor colouring is an interactive device, mainly composed of a mobile projector and a bracelet that allow one or more users to interact with the floor in novel ways. This mobile device can project a painting onto the floor, and then the user can adjust the colour of the paint through the bracelet, and then colour the different parts of the painting by mopping the floor.

Interactions:

So when users interact with this device, there are three main parts, paintings, bracelets and the projector. For paintings, users can choose paintings with different difficulty levels through the projector, that means paintings with low difficulty level have fewer colour blocks that need to be filled in, while paintings with high difficulty have more complicated blocks need to be filled in. In addition, users can draw some of their own content in advance and upload it to the projector, so they can customise their paintings. The size of the painting can be adjusted according to the size of the floor to be cleaned, such as zoom in or zoom out. For the bracelet, the user can use the bracelet to select different colours when colouring the painting. The device also allows one or more users to interact and collaborate with each other to complete the colouring process. In addition, when a user finishes the colouring of the painting, they can share their filled paintings on some social media, so that to enable users to socially connect with others. The projector is mobile, so it can be moved around their rooms. It can also show the coloured content onto the floor in real time. In addition, users can also use the records in the projector to print their own work through the printer.

Context of use:

The device can also be used in different scenarios, such as at home or in some public places, like parks. By using it at home, it can increase users’ interest in cleaning, and enable them to cooperate with their families to record the process of cleaning each time and enhance their intimate relationship with family members. In some public places, it can enhance people's awareness of public health and can also serve as a new way of social interaction.

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/