Project Timeline: 8 weeks - Junior Year - 2nd-semester studio
Solo Project: Annie Roo
Group Research: Annie Roo, Karam Ramadan, Matthew Turnquest & Madyson Webb
Project Objective: To design wearable technology for a company (IKEA) as a brand extension by looking into trends and technology five years in the future.
instructed by: Dr. Hazal Gumus Ciftci
AN INTEGRATED SMART RING
Looking into the future in five years' time, IKEA as a brand will most likely expand their integrated smart home product line as a part of their brand extension and integration of new technology.
With a variety of devices coming out, the aim of simplicity in their products and a brand value that focuses highly on the comfort of the user, an IKEA smart ring remote to control the various smart home devices is the most likely product to emerge or be needed five years from today (March 2022).
DESIGN CRITERIA
FORM SKETCH
RING FEATURES
The FORBUNDEN ring set comes in a variety of ring sizes and is programmable through the existing IKEA Home Smart application.
The ring can be wirelessly charged on its charging station with a USB-C connection by placing the ring through it.
APP DESIGN
Controls for the FORBUNDEN Smart Ring exists on a subpage of the existing IKEA Home Smart App and allows for:
-Customization of the ring buttons tailored for each Smart Device
-Connecting and IKEA Device to the ring for control
-Connecting and IKEA Device to the ring for control
APP FEATURES
USE SCENARIO - click to expand
PROTOTYPE
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS
I really enjoy and love this project! My favorite aspect was the translation of research into insights that formed this final concept. I spent a lot of time thinking about what my concept was and finally arrived at this stage after several iterations and modeling methods.
If I had more time, I would go back to render higher fidelity sketches focusing on line weight variation and line work in general. Additionally, thinking about additional features for the ring such as haptic feedback in the form of vibration, some LED indicators on the charger itself to showcase battery life, as well as thinking about the electronics and mechanisms of the ring would be things to consider and integrate into this product.
Overall, this was one of my favorite projects! I love the research behind it and how this also encapsulates aspects of electronics and industrial design that I love and strive to do moving foward!