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​Our Northwestern Design team was tasked with a class project to design a solution that supports drivers with anxiety, providing an integrated in-car experience that enhances ease and comfort both inside and outside the vehicle.
NORTHWESTERN DESIGN TEAM
Our team interviewed vehicle owners with anxiety to understand their driving experiences and concerns, and after conducting 3 of these interviews, I identified 3 key findings.
Elderly drivers often experience difficulties with navigation and driving performance
"I got lost once, my heart was pounding, and I had to stop to ask for help." Rob
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Many individuals lack effective strategies to stay calm while driving
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"When I'm anxious, I just try to ignore it because there's not much I can do. ” - Sydnee
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High anxiety impairs decision-making, often causing cancellations​
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"Driving makes me feel like I could lose control and die. I had to pull over to gather my thoughts." - Rohan​
After conducting interviews, it became clear that most individuals experience anxiety while driving, with 4 key triggers
serving as the primary touchpoints of stress.
HEAVY TRAFFIC
Being stuck in congested traffic can trigger overwhelming stress and frustration, heightening the risk of road rage and poor decision-making.
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GETTING LOST
Getting lost while driving, especially in unfamiliar areas, can cause a surge of anxiety and confusion, amplifying the fear of being disoriented.
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UNFAMILIAR CONDITIONS
Facing new or complex driving situations can trigger anxiety, affecting judgment and making it difficult to react quickly.
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HEALTH OR COGNITIVE ISSUES
Experiencing signs of cognitive decline or health problems while driving can trigger intense anxiety, leading to indecision and risky behavior.
Before finalizing our solution, our team identified 3 key design requirements to ensure it meets drivers' expectations and maximizes its benefits for potential customers.
HEALTH & FAMILY FRIENDLY
Prioritizes driver well-being by offering real-time anxiety support and a sense of security for drivers and their loved ones
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CROSS-DEVICE COMPATIBILTY
Seamlessly integrates phone functions into car systems, ensuring connectivity and adaptability across devices
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USER-FRIENDLY
Delivers an intuitive, supportive experience to help drivers manage anxiety while enhancing overall ease of use​
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With design considerations in mind, we created Harmony Health—a solution to support drivers experiencing anxiety, where I contributed to the visual identity and user experience for seamless navigation.
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HARMONY HEALTH: CAR DASHBOARD SCREENS
To enhance functionality, we expanded the design to include mobile connectivity, ensuring a seamless user experience while allowing drivers effortless access, continuous support, and stronger integration with in-car systems.
HARMONY HEALTH MOBILE SCREENS
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT & USABILITY CHALLENGES: Gained experience in the vehicle industry, designing applications for on-the-go use and addressing unique usability challenges in motion.
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COLLABORATIVE LEARNING: Worked closely with a experienced UX/UI designer on the team, which enhanced my understanding of design principles and visual hierarchy, refining my approach to creating user-centered solutions.
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ADAPTABILITY IN DESIGN: Focused on teamwork and flexibility, learning how to pivot our design strategy to overcome obstacles and ensure the solution met user needs effectively.
