Blu
Health Mobile App
Health Mobile App
Health Mobile App
Blu is a mobile application designed to sync to and collect data from blue-light blocking glasses. Blu tracks and monitors insights such as screen time and a user's sleep-wake schedule to help them regulate their circadian rhythm.
Role
Sole Designer
Design Focus
UX/UI Design, UX Research
Timeline
6 months
Year
2022
UX Research
UX Research
UX Research
How can I enhance blue-light blocking glasses to encourage healthier screen-time habits?
How can I enhance blue-light blocking glasses to encourage healthier screen-time habits?
How can I enhance blue-light blocking glasses to encourage healthier screen-time habits?
This project started with secondary research into the symptoms users experience from prolonged blue light exposure, especially as remote work became more prevalent. I aimed to explore whether blue light blocking glasses and night-shift software effectively addressed these symptoms.
Furthermore, I identified a market gap — there were currently no IoT devices available that block blue light. This inspired me to design a product that could combine both hardware and software solutions for blue light protection.
This project started with secondary research into the symptoms users experience from prolonged blue light exposure, especially as remote work became more prevalent. I aimed to explore whether blue light blocking glasses and night-shift software effectively addressed these symptoms.
Furthermore, I identified a market gap — there were currently no IoT devices available that block blue light. This inspired me to design a product that could combine both hardware and software solutions for blue light protection.
This project started with secondary research into the symptoms users experience from prolonged blue light exposure, especially as remote work became more prevalent. I aimed to explore whether blue light blocking glasses and night-shift software effectively addressed these symptoms.
Furthermore, I identified a market gap — there were currently no IoT devices available that block blue light. This inspired me to design a product that could combine both hardware and software solutions for blue light protection.
7 out of 10
7 out of 10
7 out of 10
people experience headaches and blurred vision after looking at screens for a long period of time.
people experience headaches and blurred vision after looking at screens for a long period of time.
people experience headaches and blurred vision after looking at screens for a long period of time.
Vision Direct, 2020
Vision Direct, 2020
Vision Direct, 2020
20% of remote workers
20% of remote workers
20% of remote workers
never take a break from staring at their device, increasing digital eye strain symptoms.
never take a break from staring at their device, increasing digital eye strain symptoms.
never take a break from staring at their device, increasing digital eye strain symptoms.
Vision Direct, 2020
Vision Direct, 2020
Vision Direct, 2020
58% increase
58% increase
58% increase
in participants’ night time melatonin levels after prolonged use of blue light blocking glasses.
in participants’ night time melatonin levels after prolonged use of blue light blocking glasses.
in participants’ night time melatonin levels after prolonged use of blue light blocking glasses.
University of Houston, 2020
University of Houston, 2020
University of Houston, 2020
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
A competitive analysis was conducted to understand the benefits, negatives, and possible gaps in existing night-shift applications and products.
A competitive analysis was conducted to understand the benefits, negatives, and possible gaps in existing night-shift applications and products.
A competitive analysis was conducted to understand the benefits, negatives, and possible gaps in existing night-shift applications and products.
Analyzing user scenarios
Analyzing user scenarios
Analyzing user scenarios
I took notes of any notable features, analyzing where there could be improvements to the UX and UI of the product based off the given scenario.
I took notes of any notable features, analyzing where there could be improvements to the UX and UI of the product based off the given scenario.
I took notes of any notable features, analyzing where there could be improvements to the UX and UI of the product based off the given scenario.
Analyzing user reviews
Analyzing user reviews
Analyzing user reviews
I read through the user reviews to understand the typical user and highlighted any useful information that could identify pain points. My findings revealed that remote workers, particularly designers, are most likely to use blue-light blocking tools.
I read through the user reviews to understand the typical user and highlighted any useful information that could identify pain points. My findings revealed that remote workers, particularly designers, are most likely to use blue-light blocking tools.
I read through the user reviews to understand the typical user and highlighted any useful information that could identify pain points. My findings revealed that remote workers, particularly designers, are most likely to use blue-light blocking tools.
f.lux reviews from Product Hunt
Addressing pain points
Addressing pain points
Addressing pain points
After conducting market research and a competitive analysis, I identified four key pain points that my target audience of remote workers, particularly young and middle-aged designers, experienced when using existing blue-light blocking softwares.
After conducting market research and a competitive analysis, I identified four key pain points that my target audience of remote workers, particularly young and middle-aged designers, experienced when using existing blue-light blocking softwares.
After conducting market research and a competitive analysis, I identified four key pain points that my target audience of remote workers, particularly young and middle-aged designers, experienced when using existing blue-light blocking softwares.
Lack of flexibility
Lack of flexibility
Lack of flexibility
People who work with colours or web softwares, such as designers, find that automatic night shift is distracting when working with colours and struggle to switch between the settings.
People who work with colours or web softwares, such as designers, find that automatic night shift is distracting when working with colours and struggle to switch between the settings.
People who work with colours or web softwares, such as designers, find that automatic night shift is distracting when working with colours and struggle to switch between the settings.
No insight tracking
No insight tracking
No insight tracking
There are no products on the market that track user's night-time schedule in addition to blocking blue-light. Existing software uses your geographical location or a custom schedule that the user customizes.
There are no products on the market that track user's night-time schedule in addition to blocking blue-light. Existing software uses your geographical location or a custom schedule that the user customizes.
There are no products on the market that track user's night-time schedule in addition to blocking blue-light. Existing software uses your geographical location or a custom schedule that the user customizes.
Lack of singular solution
Lack of singular solution
Lack of singular solution
Software solutions do not alter the diodes of LED screens, allowing high energy light to be emitted. They do not prevent glare which is also responsible for producing eye strain. There is no singular solution that reaps both the benefits of both software and physical products.
Software solutions do not alter the diodes of LED screens, allowing high energy light to be emitted. They do not prevent glare which is also responsible for producing eye strain. There is no singular solution that reaps both the benefits of both software and physical products.
Software solutions do not alter the diodes of LED screens, allowing high energy light to be emitted. They do not prevent glare which is also responsible for producing eye strain. There is no singular solution that reaps both the benefits of both software and physical products.
Lack of information
Lack of information
Lack of information
Users are interested in knowing why softwares like f.lux suggest specific light settings and colour temperatures, and existing applications do not offer any research-backed information to support their features.
Users are interested in knowing why softwares like f.lux suggest specific light settings and colour temperatures, and existing applications do not offer any research-backed information to support their features.
Users are interested in knowing why softwares like f.lux suggest specific light settings and colour temperatures, and existing applications do not offer any research-backed information to support their features.
MoSCoW Method and Information Architecture
MoSCoW Method and Information Architecture
MoSCoW Method and Information Architecture
In this stage, I applied a framework that helped me evaluate the most valuable features for Blu and its users.
In this stage, I applied a framework that helped me evaluate the most valuable features for Blu and its users.
In this stage, I applied a framework that helped me evaluate the most valuable features for Blu and its users.
Through my competitive analysis, I was able to analyze other IoT products to understand the different types of trends and biometric data and evaluate how the designers displayed this information to the user.
Applying the MoSCoW Method and building an Information Architecture Map helped me to synthesize and consolidate the most valuable features for the minimum viable product.
Through my competitive analysis, I was able to analyze other IoT products to understand the different types of trends and biometric data and evaluate how the designers displayed this information to the user.
Applying the MoSCoW Method and building an Information Architecture Map helped me to synthesize and consolidate the most valuable features for the minimum viable product.
Through my competitive analysis, I was able to analyze other IoT products to understand the different types of trends and biometric data and evaluate how the designers displayed this information to the user.
Applying the MoSCoW Method and building an Information Architecture Map helped me to synthesize and consolidate the most valuable features for the minimum viable product.
Preview of the MoSCoW Method for Blu
Information Architecture Map
Design Critiques
Design Critiques
Design Critiques
Design critiques were conducted with a group of target users to identify usability issues throughout the mid- and high-fidelity wireframes.
Design critiques were conducted with a group of target users to identify usability issues throughout the mid- and high-fidelity wireframes.
Design critiques were conducted with a group of target users to identify usability issues throughout the mid- and high-fidelity wireframes.
Product Presentation
Product Presentation
Product Presentation
Introducing Blu — the smarter way to sleep better.
Introducing Blu — the smarter way to sleep better.
Introducing Blu — the smarter way to sleep better.
Education is our priority.
Education is our priority.
Education is our priority.
The Learn section addresses the current lack of information in blue-light softwares and hardwares on the market.
The application provides a knowledge-packed experience where the user can dive deep into research studies, articles, and educational videos that discuss a range of topics including Healthy Sleep, Eye Health, and the Circadian Rhythm.
The Learn section addresses the current lack of information in blue-light softwares and hardwares on the market.
The application provides a knowledge-packed experience where the user can dive deep into research studies, articles, and educational videos that discuss a range of topics including Healthy Sleep, Eye Health, and the Circadian Rhythm.
The Learn section addresses the current lack of information in blue-light softwares and hardwares on the market.
The application provides a knowledge-packed experience where the user can dive deep into research studies, articles, and educational videos that discuss a range of topics including Healthy Sleep, Eye Health, and the Circadian Rhythm.
A simple, knowledge-packed onboarding experience.
A simple, knowledge-packed onboarding experience.
A simple, knowledge-packed onboarding experience.
Our onboarding experience solves the lack of a singular solution by allowing you to sync this application to a pair of Blu-light blocking glasses. We made sure to produce an accessible yet entertaining experience that educates the user about the function of the app and its features.
Our onboarding experience solves the lack of a singular solution by allowing you to sync this application to a pair of Blu-light blocking glasses. We made sure to produce an accessible yet entertaining experience that educates the user about the function of the app and its features.
Our onboarding experience solves the lack of a singular solution by allowing you to sync this application to a pair of Blu-light blocking glasses. We made sure to produce an accessible yet entertaining experience that educates the user about the function of the app and its features.