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This project was a six-week sprint from idea to a fully functional mindfulness product, designed to help users stay present in the moment by addressing chronic digital distraction and cognitive overload.
Throughout the development process, I tackled multiple challenges, including rapid prototyping, user testing, marketing, and financial constraints. With a strict budget of ₹400,I focused on cost-effective materials, minimalistic yet engaging design, and creative marketing strategies to ensure accessibility and scalability.
From initial research and ideation to final product execution and promotional planning, every stage was optimized for efficiency, proving that impactful design doesn’t require a high budget—just the right vision and execution.

6 Weeks Project

Feb 28, 2025

Prism (Present Resonance Interface for Sensory Mindfulness) is a stylish, minimalist wearable device (bracelet or pendant) designed to gently nudge users back to the present moment through subtle sensory cues. It combines haptic feedback, soft light, and a companion app to cultivate mindfulness without screen dependency.

INFORMATION FLOW

STAGE 1 - RESEARCH

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

5. System Environment & Interactions

Element	Interaction with Mindfulness Tool
Work Environment	Placed on desks, integrates into work sessions.
Outdoor Parks	Used as an interactive mindfulness installation (e.g., reflection garden).
Home Setup	Part of a morning/evening mindfulness routine.
Social Spaces	Encourages group mindfulness exercises.

6. System Components (Product Breakdown)

Component	Function
Physical Object	A tangible, interactive tool (e.g., kinetic sculpture, guided touchpad).
Haptic Feedback	Provides subtle vibrations to cue awareness.
Visual Indicators	Uses gradual color transitions to signal focus.
Auditory Feedback	Optional soft chimes or biofeedback tones.
Guided Instructions	Built-in breathing patterns or interactive mindfulness exercises.

7. Identifying Problems & Drawbacks in Existing Solutions

Problem in Existing Products	Impact
Passive Apps (e.g., meditation apps require active effort)	Users stop using them due to lack of engagement.
Uninspiring Reminders (e.g., phone notifications for mindfulness)	Easily ignored or dismissed.
Lack of Multi-Sensory Engagement	Current solutions don’t involve touch, sound, and movement together.
Lack of Personalization	Mindfulness is not one-size-fits-all; existing tools don’t adapt to user needs.

8. Changing the System: Innovations & Solutions

Feature to Improve	Enhancements
Engagement	Convert mindfulness into a playful, interactive experience.
Accessibility	Make it non-digital, multi-sensory, and effortless to use.
Integration	Place in common spaces (work desks, parks, social zones).
Lack of Personalization	Gamification

9. Limitations to Consider

Constraint	Considerations
Vandalism & Misuse	If placed in public spaces, needs durable material.
Accessibility	Budget Constraints
Scalability	Designing it for both individual and group use.
Maintenance Needs	Easy to clean, minimal wear and tear.

10. Criteria for Selection of Solution Concepts

Feature	Importance (1-5 Scale)
Non-digital & Tangible	5
Multi-sensory Engagement	5
Seamless Daily Integration	4
Guided Interactive Features	4
Social & Individual Use	3
Scalability & Adaptability	3

Market Study

To develop an engaging, tangible mindfulness product, we need to analyze existing market trends, competitors, customer needs, and gaps.

1. Existing Market Landscape

Market Segment	Current Products/Brands	Key Features	Challenges/Gaps
Meditation Apps	Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer	Guided sessions, Reminders, Music	Passive, requires self-motivation, easy to ignore
Smart Wearables	Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Fitbit	Breathing reminders, HRV monitoring	Notifications often ignored, not engaging
Smart Wearables	Zen gardens, worry stones, focus timers	Tactile engagement, relaxation	Lacks guided experience, no sensory feedback
Mindfulness Gadgets	Muse, Core Meditation Trainer	Biofeedback, Smart vibrations	Expensive, technology-dependent
AR/VR Mindfulness	TRIPP VR, Guided VR meditation	Immersive experiences	Requires headset, not practical for daily use
Wellness & Therapy Centers	Sensory rooms, guided mindfulness sessions	Professional guidance, structured environment	Not portable, not daily-use friendly

2. Market Growth Trends

Industry	Growth Rate (CAGR)	Market Drivers
Mindfulness & Meditation Market	10.4% (2023-2028)	Rising stress levels, digital detox movement, mental health awareness
Wellness Wearables	12.5% (2023-2028)	Demand for real-time biofeedback, integration with digital lifestyle
Sensory & Fidget Tools	8.2% (2023-2028)	Increasing focus on ADHD and stress relief
AR/VR Wellness Solutions	15.3% (2023-2030)	Growth in immersive wellness experiences

3. Competitor Analysis & Feature Benchmarking

Brand/Product	Mindfulness Approach	Strengths	Weaknesses
Brand/Product	App-based meditation	Extensive guided content	Passive, easily ignored
Apple Watch (Mindfulness Mode)	Smart reminders, breathing tracking	Integrated into lifestyle	Lacks immersive engagement
Core Meditation Trainer	Biofeedback vibration tool	Personalized feedback	High cost, requires charging
Mindfulness Gadgets	Muse, Core Meditation Trainer	Biofeedback, Smart vibrations	Expensive, technology-dependent
Fidget Cubes / Worry Stones	Physical tactile focus tools	Simple, effective for fidgeting	No guided mindfulness exercises
Zen Gardens	Visual relaxation	Beautiful, therapeutic	Not portable, not interactive
Muse Headband	Brainwave sensing meditation	Real-time feedback	Expensive, requires app & Bluetooth

Key Takeaways from Competitor Study: ✔ Digital apps are passive → Users don’t engage unless highly motivated.

✔ Wearables require effort → Notifications get ignored.

✔ Physical tools lack guidance → No structured exercises.

✔ Biofeedback solutions are costly → Not accessible to all.

✔ Mindfulness should be effortless & engaging → Multi-sensory tools needed.

Quality Function Deployment (QFD)

To develop an engaging, tangible mindfulness product, we need to analyze existing market trends, competitors, customer needs, and gaps.

1. Customer Requirements (Voice of Customer)

ID	Requirement	Why It’s Important?
CR1	Must engage multiple senses (touch, sound, light)	Helps users stay present in real time
CR2	Must work without digital screens	Avoids more distractions
CR3	Should provide real-time haptic feedback	Reinforces mindfulness intention
CR4	Should be portable & easy to use	Can be used in different environments
CR5	Should guide users without active effort	No complex setup or training needed
CR6	Should have a calming design	Encourages stress relief and focus
CR7	Should enable social mindfulness (multi-user option)	Encourages group mindfulness in social settings
CR8	Should help build mindfulness habits over time	Long-term engagement

2. Customer Requirements with Weights (Prioritization)

Customer Requirement	Weight (1-5)
CR1: Multi-Sensory Engagement	5
CR2: No Digital Screens	5
CR3: Real-Time Haptic Feedback	4
CR4: Portability & Ease of Use	4
CR5: Effortless Guided Experience	5
CR6: Calming & Stress-Relief Design	3
CR7: Social Mindfulness Features	3
CR8: Habit Formation Support	4

Top 3 Priorities:

✔ Multi-sensory engagement → Users need tangible interaction.

✔ No screens → Helps reduce digital distractions.

✔ Effortless experience → Should work naturally without extra effort.

3. Benchmarking Against Competitive Products

Feature	Our Product	Apps (Headspace, Calm)	Wearables (Apple Watch, Muse)	Physical Mindfulness Tools
Multi-sensory engagement	✅ Strong	❌ Weak	✅ Medium	❌ Weak
No Digital Screens	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Haptic Feedback	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Portability	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Guided Mindfulness	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Social/Group Use	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Habit Formation Support	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No

4. Determine Project Objectives

Primary Design Goals

✔ Create a tangible, interactive mindfulness tool that works without screens.

✔ Ensure multi-sensory engagement (touch, light, sound, movement).

✔ Develop a passive guidance system that nudges users into mindfulness without effort.

✔ Make it portable & scalable for different environments.

✔ Support both solo and social mindfulness to encourage group use.

Key Differentiators from Competitors

✔ Tangible, physical mindfulness engagement instead of passive apps.

✔ Multi-sensory interaction → combining touch, movement, light, and sound.

✔ Non-digital, immersive experience (no screens or notifications).

✔ Gamified mindfulness interactions → encourages long-term use.

SOLUTION BRAINSTORMING

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Evidence Supporting PRISM's Value

Relevant Research Findings

1. Sensory Anchoring Works

Studies show tactile feedback (e.g., vibrations) significantly improves focus and reduces anxiety (NIH, 2021).

Ambient light cues are proven to lower cortisol levels (Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2020).

2. Micro-Practices Matter

Short, frequent mindfulness sessions (1–3 minutes) are 3x more effective for habit formation than longer sessions (UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center).

3. Demand for Hybrid Solutions

68% of wearable users want devices that “enhance mental wellness, not just physical health” (McKinsey, 2023).

User Pain Points PRISM Solves

Pain Point	How PRISM Helps
“I forget to pause”	Gentle haptic/light reminders prompt immediate grounding.
“Apps distract me more”	Screen-free design avoids digital overload.
“I don’t know HOW to be present”	Guided micro-practices (e.g., breath sync, “Sense Now” button) provide actionable steps.
“I need tangible progress”	App journal and streaks motivate consistent practice.

Counterarguments & Risks

1. “Do people need another device?”

Counter: PRISM's minimalist design and focus on reducing screen time differentiate it from cluttered tech.

Data: 52% of consumers prioritize “tech that helps them disconnect” (Deloitte, 2023).

1. “Will users sustain engagement?”

Risk: Habit-forming products require strong UX. Gamification (streaks, achievements) and personalized reminders can mitigate drop-off.

1. “Is mindfulness a luxury?”

Counter: Stress is universal. PRISM's value aligns with wellness products (e.g., Theragun, Oura Ring), which saw 200% YOY growth in 2022.

Competitive Validation

Spire Stone ($129): A wearable that tracks stress via breathing but lacks sensory engagement.

Muse Headband ($349): EEG-based meditation tool; expensive and niche.

AuraBand’s Edge: Affordable, stylish, and focused on in-the-moment reconnection rather than post-hoc analysis.

Conclusion

Yes, PRISM Solves a Valid Problem.

The data confirms a growing “present-moment deficit” driven by digital overload, stress, and ineffective solutions. PRISM’s unique blend of subtle sensory cues, screen-free engagement, and actionable micro-practices directly addresses these pain points. While adoption risks exist, the rising demand for hybrid mental wellness tools (physical + digital) positions PRISM to carve a niche in the $8.6B mindfulness tech market.