I was the researcher and designer, handling everything from initial research and concept development to final design and usability testing.
Students who spend long hours working or studying, often in the same seated position. These users tend to be tech-savvy, health-conscious, and interested in using technology to improve their well-being.
Students tend to stay seated for long durations while studying or using their laptops, which leads to postural problems, musculoskeletal pain and/or repetitive strain injuries.
Contexts of working: sitting/ typing/ writing/ using the mouse, etc.
An IoT system that encourages healthy work habits by monitoring sitting posture and reminding users to take breaks, stretch, and drink water—ensuring the user maintains well-being while staying productive.
Camera
Pressure sensors on table and chair
Small screen that prompts user for breaks/ exercises
Web and mobile application
Monitors posture and nudges users to correct it.
Records duration of work session and sends notifications to take breaks.
Suggest exercises to prevent and/or relieve sedantary pain.
Introduces a health bot buddy to make the reminders more personal and engaging
I conducted generative research to ensure my idea would effectively solve the problem and to better understand my users. I gathered insights from my target audience: students who, like me, often spend long hours working in one position.
Students who tend to work/ study/ sit in the same place for long durations.
Lifestyle — working / using laptop for long durations
Opinion on the proposal
Exploring the technology
Users wanted customization (avatars, sounds, colors)
Users disliked camera-based monitoring
They preferred friendly, engaging reminders
Based on that I refined the design to focus on what exactly the audience needs:
Ensures correct posture
Nudges users to move/stretch
Encourages hydration & healthy habits
Health bot buddy interacts with users
Helps users focus & reduce distractions
Replaced camera with a skeletal tracking system for privacy
Added history tracking for posture & work durations
Introduced playful elements (health bot buddy), which interacts with users in a friendly, conversational way.
Allowed personalization (avatars, sound reminders, color schemes)
To bring the system to life, I created visualizations of how the IoT system would integrate with a physical space. The room would offer a big enough area for users to work, stretch, and exercise, creating a holistic environment that encourages healthy working habits. The space will have everything the user needs to have a relaxed and healthy work session.
With the parts and their functions ready, I created the prototypes.
Testing was crucial to refine the user interaction and overall functionality. In the usability test, the phone screen as the only form of communication between the user and the system. Also, I used painted paper to mimic LED lights that are the subtle notifications users would receive. Participants were first walked through the space visualization and interactive Figma prototype. The notifications were simulated using paper prototypes and color-coded LED light mockups.
Straightforward interface.
Relatively easy to understand, especially the nudge notifications.
The last screen which shows up after the user acts on the nudge should be of another color like green because even if the user doesn’t look at the text they will still know that they have completed the action required.
Adjusted the colors to signal success more clearly, using green after a user completes a task.
Refined the interface, ensuring that avatars dynamically respond to user actions (e.g., avatars getting “sad” if users ignore reminders).
Added subtle visual cues to ensure notifications don’t feel disruptive but still grab the user’s attention.
Live view of user's posture, stress and hydration level.
Blank view to avoid any screen distractions
Changing table form
The user has been slouching for 2 mins
The display on the table turns yellow
The user doesn’t move and keeps slouching for 2 more minutes
The display on the table turns red
The user hasn’t drank water in a long time
The display on the table turns blue
Sad avatar
The user ignores the notification and doesn’t drink water
The display on the table turns red
Upset avatar
Getting more information on the change the user needs to bring.
Getting more information on why drinking water/ water breaks are important
The user straightens their back
The display on the table turns off
Happy avatar
Getting more information on why drinking water/ water breaks are important
The display on the table turns off
Happy avatar