Twylit
An AI soundscape app that empowers sleep
Project Overview
Challenge
Create a product that tackles public health challenges, addresses healthcare disparities, or supports individuals in maintaining their personal wellness (physical or mental)
Problem Statement
Over 50 million US adults experience some sort of chronic sleep disorder. Due to that, many adults are getting inadequate sleep quality which leads to widespread sluggishness and overall dissatisfaction with sleep.
Objectives
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Design an app that tackles sleep wellness for users
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Go through the product creation "lifecycle" from start to finish in 2 days
Project Scope
End-to-end Mobile App, Pitch Deck
Tools
Figma, Canva
Role
Project Lead (UX Designer, UX Researcher)
Team
4 members
Duration
2 days (36 hours)
Design Process
1. Research
User Surveys
User Persona
Competitive Analysis
Market Analysis
Sleep and Sound Research
Our Vision
2. Ideating
Affinity Diagram
Information Architecture
3. Design
Sketches
Mid-Fidelity Prototype
Style Guide
High-Fidelity Prototype
4. Marketing
Marketing Strategy
6-Month Timeline
Success Measures
Research
Research Plan
To ensure the success of our project, it was imperative that we gained a comprehensive understanding of our users, competitors, and the market landscape. Additionally, given our intention to leverage AI technology in the realm of sleep, a deep understanding of the fundamental research on sound and its impact on sleep was crucial. To streamline our research efforts, we organized ourselves into distinct research teams. My responsibility was to lead the survey and analyze the gathered data.
Research Goals
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Understand user's current routine before sleeping
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Analyze the current research on sound and its impact on sleep
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Learn about the main competitors of Twylit and their strengths and weaknesses
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Gain insight to the current market trends
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Identify the target audience of Twylit
Methodologies
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Secondary Research (Competitive Analysis, Market Research)
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Primary Research (User Interview)
Competitive Analysis
Although I personally did not participate in the competitive analysis, my team examined four competitors, consisting of two direct and two indirect competitors. Through our analysis, we generated a competitive analysis chart.
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The chart's y-axis represents customization, while the x-axis represents habit-forming traits. Many of the white noise and sleep apps we evaluated fell into either the high habit-forming or high customization categories, but rarely both. Our aim was to ensure that our app would cultivate a habit of usage while also offering extensive customization options tailored to the user.
Market Analysis
To facilitate our entry into the sleep and sound industry, we recognized the importance of comprehensively understanding the market's existing landscape. To shed light on this aspect, our market researcher collected data pertaining to key trends within the sleep and sound market. This included insights into the current pricing dynamics, market share distribution, and the growth trajectory of the sleep segment.
Image from our presentation (also listed at the end of this case study)
User Surveys
As we advanced into the user research phase, we opted to utilize a Google Forms survey. While our initial preference would have been conducting in-person interviews with users, the constraints on time necessitated the use of a survey as the most efficient method for gathering data and information during this phase.
User Persona
After gathering the data, we delved into analyzing the feedback provided by our users. Utilizing affinity diagrams (see here), we categorized and synthesized various pain points identified by our respondents, which ultimately informed the development of our target user profile.
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NOTE: It's important to note that our survey methodology employed convenience sampling due to time constraints. Regrettably, this limited our outreach to older communities and populations. However, we recognize that sleep-related issues affect individuals across various age groups, not solely the younger generation.
Sleep and Sound Research
To understand why the product we're developing is innovative, we needed to first understand the fundamental aspects of sound and sleep. Our approach involved selecting reputable studies from the National Institutes of Health and closely analyzing recent studies focusing on the interaction effects between sound and sleep.
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Drawing from the Reidy et. al “Noise as a sleep aid” paper, our team came to the conclusion that:
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Continuous noise reduced sleep onset time
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Objective and subjective sleep quality was improved
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Number of disturbed wake/phase shifts is reduced drastically
But most importantly, different noise patterns had different effects.
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These findings served as a catalyst for our team to pinpoint the unique selling proposition of our product in comparison to other white noise or soundscape sleep apps.
Our Vision
The primary objective of Twylit is to enhance the sleep experience of users by dynamically adjusting the ambient sounds based on their unique sleep patterns and stages through AI. By providing tailored soundscapes, Twylit aims to help users achieve deeper, more restorative sleep, ultimately leading to improved overall well-being and cognitive function
Ideating
Affinity Diagram
During the research phase, our team initiated the process of organizing the information gathered from our respondents. Each member reviewed the answers obtained and commenced brainstorming potential pain points, user needs, and incentives. As we individually reflected on our observations and generated ideas for the application, we systematically categorized them into four distinct groups to facilitate efficient review and analysis.
Information Architecture
To ensure smooth navigation and user satisfaction, we developed a concise yet comprehensive information architecture for our product. Leveraging insights from our research, we structured the flow of information.
Design
Sketches
Prior to creating on wireframing our mid-fidelity and high-fidelity screens, we took the time to outline essential components and screens for our design. This preliminary phase involved sketching out key elements such as:
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Homepage: A central hub where users can seamlessly navigate through their data and personalized sound options. This page serves as the gateway to their experience within the app.
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Sleep Analytics Tab: A dedicated section providing users with comprehensive insights into their sleep patterns and trends. Here, they can delve deeper into their sleep data to better understand their habits and make informed decisions.
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Sleep Screen: An integral part of the app interface where users can view vital sleep information while enjoying the soothing sounds provided by the app. This screen aims to create a tranquil atmosphere conducive to relaxation and restful sleep.
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Sound Library: A comprehensive collection showcasing every sound available within the app. This feature allows users to explore and select their preferred sounds, tailoring their auditory experience to suit their preferences and needs.
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By sketching out these fundamental components and screens, we laid a solid foundation for our design process, ensuring that our final product meets the needs and expectations of our users effectively.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Transitioning from initial sketches to digital wireframes was a pivotal step in our design process. It allowed us to visualize and refine how information would be conveyed within our application, ensuring a seamless user experience.
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Creating wireframes provided us with a clear representation of the app's layout, navigation flow, and content organization. It enabled us to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback efficiently.
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Through this iterative process, we refined the placement of key components such as the homepage, sleep analytics tab, sleep screen, and sound library, ensuring optimal usability and visual coherence.
Style Guide
Drawing inspiration from the beauty of the nighttime sky, we chose a captivating dark purple theme intertwined with subtle accents of blue. This color palette evokes a sense of calmness and tranquility, before users go to sleep.
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For our font choice, we opted for a clean and straightforward sans-serif typeface. This decision aligns with our overarching goal of creating an app experience that feels effortless and approachable. By utilizing a sans-serif font, we aim to convey a sense of simplicity and clarity in both reading and sleep-related activities within the app.
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Our logo, was ingeniously crafted by merging the moon with the energy of sound pulse waves. In our creative process, we embraced cutting-edge technology, including an AI-image generator, to explore and refine our visual concepts. This modern approach allowed us to push the boundaries of creativity and achieve a truly unique and captivating design.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
After settling on our color palette, we delved into refining the interface. Our design prioritizes simplicity, aiming to provide users with effortless access to data in a straightforward manner. By streamlining the presentation of information, we ensure users can readily grasp and leverage the insights to enhance their sleep wellness journey.
Marketing
Marketing Strategy & 6-Month Timeline
Following extensive market research led by our business researcher, Jefferson Wu, we meticulously crafted a comprehensive marketing strategy and a detailed 6-month timeline.
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To ignite interest in the app, we devised a strategic plan centered around a free open beta phase, slated to last approximately two months before the app's official debut on the app store. Concurrently, we intend to leverage social media platforms and blogs to amplify our reach and attract a broader audience.
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Once we've cultivated a solid follower base, our focus will shift towards collaborating with influencers to endorse the app, thereby further augmenting its visibility and user engagement. To kickstart revenue generation, we will introduce premium features and a subscription model, offering enhanced functionalities to our users.
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Moreover, we plan to incentivize user acquisition through a referral program, rewarding current users with complimentary subscriptions for successfully referring new users. Subsequently, our strategy pivots towards fostering customer retention and sustaining long-term engagement with the app.
Success Metrics
To effectively gauge the success of our app, we have outlined several key metrics to monitor its performance:
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Long-term engagement: We will track the number of active users over time, focusing on the retention of users who consistently utilize the app to establish and maintain healthy sleep habits. A steady increase in long-term engagement indicates the app's effectiveness and utility to our users.
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Frequency of app usage: By analyzing how often users interact with the app, we can assess its integration into their daily routines. Our goal is to encourage regular usage, positioning the app as an indispensable tool for those seeking to improve their sleep quality. Increasing frequency of usage signifies strong user engagement and satisfaction with the app's features and content.
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Improvement in sleep quality: We will implement mechanisms to gather feedback from users regarding changes in their sleep patterns and overall sleep quality since using the app. This qualitative data, supplemented by quantitative metrics such as sleep duration and sleep efficiency, will allow us to measure the app's impact on enhancing users' sleep experiences. A notable improvement in sleep quality serves as a tangible indicator of the app's effectiveness in fulfilling its purpose.
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By consistently monitoring these metrics and adapting our strategies based on the insights gained, we can ensure the ongoing success and refinement of our app, ultimately fulfilling our mission of promoting better sleep wellness for our users.
Final Notes + Read More
Final Notes
This project was created during Producthon 2024, an event that brought together 24 teams and over 80 individuals passionate about innovation. Over the span of 36 intense hours, our team embarked on a journey to develop an end-to-end app product aimed at enhancing sleep quality for our users.
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Comprising four individuals, our team boasted diverse talents and perspectives, with two members hailing from prestigious institutions in the Boston area, including Babson and Northeastern. The combination of our unique experiences and proved critical in the success of our project across all fronts.
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Despite the time constraints preventing us from fully realizing a functional product, we remain confident in the potential of our concept. With additional time and resources, we believe our app could be refined, implemented, and embraced by users seeking to improve their sleep wellness.
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The collaborative spirit and innovative energy of Producthon provided an invaluable platform for us to showcase our creativity and problem-solving skills.
Read More
Feel free to scroll through our Figma presentation, which includes all parts of our research and product design. If you want to learn more about the event itself, check out the Producthon link.