KINDAMO
A smart mirror that helps build a healthy mindset.
My Role
Research, UX Lead, project manager
Team Member
-
Ferdi Agusta.
-
Ayushi Ranjan(Engineer & Developer).
-
Pedro Z Pinson(Visual Designer).
Timeline & Status
6 months.
Thesis project finished.
CONTEXT
Combatting body dissatissfaction
The project was initiated by a group of millennials who recognized the negative impact that smartphones, social media, and the unrealistic beauty standards portrayed by them have on mental health and self-esteem. Kindamo is a smart mirror designed to help users, particularly the younger generation combat body dissatisfaction caused by social media,.
PROBLEM SCOPE
Excessive use of social media can lead to decreased self-esteem and a negative impact on overall well-being.
The rise of social media has become an essential part of daily life for many people, particularly in younger populations between 18 and 35 years old. Social media is often used to share content emphasizing physical attractiveness and
self-promotion, exposing users to the ideas of beauty perfection, and ideal body image. Both men and women with high exposure to ideal images on social media experienced significantly high body dissatisfaction.
SOLUTION
An interactive smart mirror that promotes self-love and body positivity
The smart mirror focuses on three main areas:
1. Positive affirmation to overcome negative thoughts.
2. Breathwork and meditation to reduce stress and anxiety levels related to body image issues.
3. Support system that allows users to connect with others, creating a support system.
Positive Affirmation
Using positive and uplifting statements to challenge and overcome negative thoughts promotes self-esteem, boosts confidence, and cultivates a more optimistic mindset.
Breathwork & Meditation
Incorporating breath-work and meditation into one's routine can contribute to a holistic sense of well-being, encompassing mental, emotional, and physical health.
Motivation from social circle proven to be effective in changing behavior.
Support system
1. Body dissatisfaction among social media users is primarily fueled by social comparison
Smartphones and the internet have become the central communication technologies in modern society. This has led to exponential growth in the use of social media platforms. Social media is often used to share content emphasizing ideal beauty. This impact leads to body dissatisfaction among social media users which is primarily fueled by social comparison.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
2. You become who and what you follow
The younger population utilizes the platform as a means of connecting with their social circles and following influencers, trends, and topics that are relevant and meaningful to them. In contrast to traditional advertising or celebrities in movies, social media provides a more personal and relatable experience, directly affecting its users. Notably, comments regarding their physical appearance from their social circle impact how they perceive themselves.
Show Annotation
3. What is available to combat this issue?
Behavioral Change
Addressing body dissatisfaction targets the underlying behaviors and attitudes that contribute to negative body image.
Nudge
Nudges are small changes to the environment that can encourage people to make better choices.
Ambient Technology
Providing continuous support and feedback to users without interrupting their daily routines.
Behavioral change through ambient technology
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
Ideation #
How we translate "nudge" into design
DESIGN EXPLORATION
Breath-work & Spotify integration
Users can choose other modules such as breathwork, Spotify music, or podcasts.
Positive affirmation & social motivation
These affirmations are designed to motivate and encourage users to feel confident about themselves. Users have the ability to customize the frequency of reminders they receive according to their preferences and expectations.
Daily check-ins
Daily and goal check-ins are collected into the mirror. This data is then used to personalize the content and experience for the user, reflected in the positive affirmations and podcasts.
Onboarding
The first phase is the onboarding experience, with face ID, which allows users to obtain privacy and only activate the mirror when needed. This feature provides users with greater control over their experience and ensures that the mirror is only activated when they want it to be.
FINAL DESIGN
Building the components
Building the interaction
Two HC-SRO4 sensors were one of the approaches we investigated for interacting with the smart mirror. We discovered that altering the UI screen occurs when users move their hands from left to right in front of the HC-SRO4 sensor. However, since the distance sensors and Raspberry Pi constrained the final prototype's interaction, we eventually decided against moving forward with them.
We made the smart mirror into a touch screen to increase interactivity and allow users to browse through numerous features and modules easily. We could track touch input and convert it into commands that the Magic Mirror program could comprehend by employing IR frames, which allowed us to track touch input.
PHYSICAL DESIGN
Everything coming together
We constructed the wooden box for the smart mirror hardware required precision and attention to detail. We carefully designed and tested each component to ensure that the final product was functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. By utilizing premium materials and precise construction methods, we were able to create a strong and long-lasting enclosure for the smart mirror prototype.
FINAL
Show Impact
Kindamo brings a healthy mindset and joy
Kindamo underwent testing in both public and private settings to observe user interactions and validate the design interventions. With its positive affirmation, breathwork, and social connection features, the smart mirror provides a holistic approach to promoting self-love and body positivity.
Not the end but the start
After analyzing user testing and feedback, we have observed that positive affirmations have a significant impact on many users. However, we also acknowledge that there are limitations to this intervention. One limitation is that users may experience a decrease in the effectiveness of positive affirmations if they encounter them repeatedly over time. How can we ensure that positive affirmations remain effective in the long term without becoming repetitive or leading to toxic positivity? Are there alternative approaches we can take to reinforce positive self-image and self-esteem in users?
REFLECTION
Stages to change behavior
We incorporated the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) into our user journey.
The image below displays the current behavior of users on the left-hand side, which includes feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and a desire for bodily perfection, resulting from the influence of social media usage and when users examine themselves in front of a mirror. On the right-hand side, the desired state of users is depicted, which involves self-acceptance, high self-esteem, and both mental and physical health.
JOURNEY GOAL
Emerging opportunity with "nudge"
We brainstormed various solutions and opportunities for each stage and ultimately honed in on pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation due to the abundance of potential and the limited technology available in these stages.
We incorporated the theory of “Nudge,” in which changing the environment or context can change people's behavior. Given that examining oneself in front of a mirror can trigger psychological responses related to body image, we believe that nudging users during this activity could be a promising solution.