To create a holistic healthcare system within a week, as briefed by TTP, product & technology consultancy. The solution, an IOT system for menopause symptom management researched and 3D modelled by myself.
Project Overview
Design Process
The TTP brief was to design a product that provides an ambient healthcare experience. Every year, several companies propose their briefs to a cohort of industrial, product, and user-centred design finalists from Loughborough University, to be completed within a week.
Technologies Used
Figma for prototyping, SolidWorks for 3D modelling, KeyShot rendering, Photoshop for image editing
Challenges Faced
User testing restrictions - to evaluate the social and personal impact of having and using this solution in a shared, professional environment
Little industrial product design modelling experience
Interdisciplinarity
Healthcare
System & Services Deign
Product Design
Roles & Responsibilities
Respond to brief with thorough research, design evaluation and exploration, final concept delivery and presentation
Team & Timelines
1 week sprint - Final year Design Week briefed by agencies
Research & Discovery
Data set
White paper research, medical references
Key Insights
The variety & unpredictability of symptoms make the menopause a difficult process to manage and live through.
Menopausal women are the fastest growing workforce: 8 in 10 work.
6 in 10 women say their symptoms have negatively impacted their work.
“60% of women said their workplace offered no menopause support.”
Data set
White paper research, medical references
Key Insights
3 in 4 women experience hot flushes
Body temperature increases 1° - 3°c
Symptoms can last up to 30 minutes
Symptoms may be triggered by stress
Preferred solutions are increased breaks, office privacy, time off and a change in workplace temperature and ventilation
Goals:
To manage symptoms discreetly and in a way that works for them personally.
To work swiftly, undisrupted by symptoms.
Desired Experience:
To feel comfortable and supported in their workplace.
To maintain their professional reputation and work performance.
Problem Statement
How might we provide an ambient healthcare experience that passively manages a user's hot flushes so she can work undisrupted?
Technology challenges
To explore a solution that is not too complex technologically but still introduces something new to the market.
Concept exploration

A mouse that registers body temperature & alerts user of incoming hot flush to prevent escalation

Discreet and angled desktop accessory that provides a cooling system

Desk-top fan that uses a thermal camera to detect fluctuation in body temperature

Office thermal camera that adapts A/C accordingly to regulate the environment according to perceived symptoms

A fan with a screen that provides emotional support, messaging and statistics

A wareable ring that records fluctuations in body temperature and provides laptop notifications to regulate accordingly

Adaptive desk chair with embedded cooling system that regulates to the user's body temperature

A discreet fan that can be attached to a laptop or desktop and angled ergonomically
Solution requirements
To meet the following criteria, the solution then needed to combine a fan system to cool the user, a thermal camera to record temperature changes and a digital system to provide symptom management.
A system that allows companies to support their employees
A non-disruptive and discreet product and system design

Thermal Technology
Thermal cameras can detect infrared data and record it as temperatures. The camera would record users' temperature once in the frame.

Bluetooth Technology
The data would be sent via bluetooth from the fan to the software on the user’s computer. It would be used to regulate the fan.
Data Analysis
The data would be constantly compared and analysed with past temperatures to verify and evaluate the prevalence of a hot flash.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT has proven to significantly manage the impact of hot flushes, enhances quality of life and helps change the patient’s perception around their symptoms.

Final Solution
An IOT fan that captures changes in the user's body temperature and turns on automatically, providing a gentle breeze to help stabilise the user's symptom.
The digital system tracks and records the symptoms without manual input and also providing CBT - promoting positive attitudes and perceptions around symptoms.
Automated and silent fan regulation
Fan intensity is regulated to the perceived rise in temperature, however the silent technology provides and ambient and non-disruptive management to hot flushes.
Warm & professional finishes
With a warm, but professional wood finish, this product blends into the discreet environment seamlessly.
Minimal, simple touch points
Minimal touch-points make the symptom management effortless. Height and inclination is easy to adjust according to preferences.
Using CBT and graphs to make symptoms more understandable and manageable
The supporting software notifies the user of their symptoms and uses CBT to change their perception of them.
Outcomes & Impact
2nd place prize winner!
I'm thrilled to have received a second-place award from technology company TTP plc. Going into the design sprint, I was worried that I wouldn't perform as well as my peers, as I had less experience in sketching, digital modelling, and rendering. This recognition has given me the confidence to showcase my ideas and designs, even when I might not have the same skills as the rest of the group.
"Good use of design research methods to inform the design. Nice to see a summary of the technologies needed for the product. The design proposal feels credible and feasible. The aesthetics are refined and appropriate for the work environment without communicating any stigma. Nice to see the product presented in the intended environment of use."
University Tutor


















































