Habitat
#Sound Design
#Shape behaviors
#Subtle signals
Form Workshop @Umeå Institute of Design
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3
Group work
a sound-driven interaction concept designed to gently guide users toward healthier choices through positive reinforcement. Instead of restricting screen time outright, it subtly encourages mindful breaks and balanced digital engagement, fostering sustainable habits in a natural, intuitive way.
background
Our daily lives are shaped by behavioral patterns—some intentional, like smoking or drinking, and others subconscious, like prolonged sitting or excessive screen time. Often, we don’t realize the impact of these habits until they affect our well-being.
concept VIdeo
Habitat is a physical home for your phone that signals intentional use and creates distance from unconscious scrolling.
sound feedback
visual cues
Details
Calm
Soft
Home Vibe
For the sound design, we sought to fit the cozy and home-like vibe—warm, relaxed, and comforting—by shaping soft, rounded tones that carry a sense of calm.
WHEN YOU REACH THE SCREEN TIME LIMITS…
Instead of a dismissible warning, black bubbles slowly cover your screen, making the app increasingly unusable.The bubbles disappear once you exit the restricted apps, and calls remain accessible.
WHEN YOU PLACE YOUR PHONE IN THE HABITAT…
The phone is smoothly docked into Habitat, accompanied by disinfection and a gentle friction sound, followed by a confirmation tone once fully placed.
WHILE IN THE HABITAT…
The phone enters a calming state: a lava lamp animation with a gentle reward sound signals reset, while full charging reinforces a sense of completion.
BLUE NOTIFICATION
Messages you might want to respond to, like a friend inviting you to play Minecraft, appear in the blue notification category, accompanied by a muffled, gentle "knock-knock" sound—a subtle nudge rather than a disruption.
RED NOTIFICATION
Urgent messages, such as a call from your mom about your grandmother needing a ride to the hospital, are classified as red alarms. These alerts persist until they capture your attention.
WHEN YOU READY TO PICK UP YOUR PHONE…
Instead of a dismissible warning, black bubbles slowly cover your screen, making the app increasingly unusable.The bubbles disappear once you exit the restricted apps, and calls remain accessible.
product details
Behind the scene
