NODIN
PRODUCT DESIGN FOR THOSE ON THE SPECTRUM
CHALLENGE & SOLUTION
A common symptom for those with Autism is a sensitivity to sound. Some noises can cause stress or anxiety that interfere with how they function in their everyday lives. Solutions for this exist in the form of earmuffs or noise canceling headphones, but they are cumbersome and inelegant. While they block out problematic sounds, they also block out sounds that might be important. Nodin is a unique product which uses variable noise canceling technology to filter out harsh sounds for those with sound sensitivity.
THE EARBUDS
Nodin earbuds feature silicone tips designed for noise cancellation and a secure, comfortable fit. The ring is illuminated to show the active state and also acts a guide for the finger to follow when using gesture controls.
THE NODIN APP
Audio levels are adjusted in the Nodin app. Sliders are used to set preferred minimum and maximum volume thresholds. Individual presets can be saved for different environments with different noise levels.
TYPE STYLES
Branding was chosen as the typeface for its clean look while also looking friendly and approachable. The variety of weights allows a good indication of hierarchy in the Nodin app.
THE NODIN IDENTITY
The symbol represents sound and also resembles an ear. Its circular nature mimics the form of the earbuds. For the rigid Autistic mind, hearing unwanted sounds can be a harsh experience. The wordmark shows how Nodin takes that harshness, and creates a softer, more pleasant experience.
PROCESS
Prototyping and 3D print tests
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Out of all the projects I’ve worked on, this is the most in-depth. Due to COVID-19, resources I had planned on using were not available, so I had to completely rethink the way that the project was presented. I believe the final product demonstrates my ability to still manifest a good result in less than ideal circumstances.