Sleep Cocoon

The Sleep Cocoon is how I fell in love with human-centered design. This design project was part of coursework at an MIT summer program where I was tasked with creating a wearable device that alternates between two states. 

This portable invention would allow the user to create a sleeping environment anywhere. My design process started from the concept of sleep, then was narrowed down to a product through weeks of brainstorming and sketching. I explored how sound and light affect how humans sleep.

Early Draft

Cardboard Prototype

Headphone Inspiration

I invented a collapsible hood that functions as a "sleep cocoon" designed to be worn over a person’s head. When a user wears the device, they can expand it to cover their head. I used headphones as the base for the model to create an enhanced sleeping environment using sound. Once I had the cardboard prototype, I assembled the final model out of polyester and looked for people who could use a nap.

 

Dream it.

Created my invention inspired by my desire to take naps everywhere

Build it.

Constructed final model and tested for wear

In action.

Product used to take a nap

I learned the beauty of human-centered design and was able to demonstrate my creativity. I had the opportunity to be very creative and after rapid iterative prototyping, I ended up with a product I love.

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Mobile Office