naptick

introduction

the naptick sleep experience device represents a 4-month intensive design challenge where i am leading ux and industrial design for a sleep enhancement product. the device combines light therapy, ambient sound, and voice assistance in a form factor designed for the bedside environment. my brief is to create an experience that will serve users across their entire sleep cycle – from evening wind-down through morning wake-up.

the primary design challenge centers on crafting interactions that will be intuitive during moments of reduced cognitive function (when half-asleep) while maintaining aesthetic appeal when inactive. this requires balancing competing needs: simplicity of interaction, quality of light/sound, manufacturing feasibility, and cost constraints for our planned friends & family release.

my role encompasses user research, industrial design, physical interaction design, and digital experience development

this is an ongoing project, details of which are under an NDA. the visuals are therefore omitted.

Discovery & Research

I applied a multi-faceted research approach to understand the sleep technology space:

Competitive Analysis

Evaluated key players (Philips Twilight Hue, etc) to identify opportunity gaps. I found most devices excelled either at light therapy or sound, but rarely both, and many lacked intuitive physical controls.

Contextual Inquiries

Conducted research observing nightstand setups, morning/evening routines, and existing product interactions.

Key finding: users often interacted with devices while in various states of consciousness, requiring extremely intuitive controls.

Technical Exploration

prototyped and tested various LED arrays, diffuser materials, and speaker configurations, evaluating performance and manufacturing viability.

Critical Insights

1

Half-Conscious Interaction

2

Environmental Integration

3

Light Quality Perception

4

Transition Support

Design Principles

Elliptical Harmony: Using flowing, continuous forms that feel organic rather than technical

Ambient Presence: Creating a device that visually recedes when not in active use

Gestural Simplicity: Ensuring primary functions are accessible through intuitive physical interactions

Adaptive Response: Designing the device to respond appropriately to different states of user consciousness

industrial design process

the industrial design process focuses on creating a form that will support both functional requirements and emotional connection:

1

initial form exploration

i've sketched over 30 initial concepts, then narrowed to four distinct approaches:

stacked forms (inspired by traditional bedside lamps)
tapered cone variations (optimizing light projection)
faceted geometric forms (creating interesting light/shadow play)
organic, curved profiles (referencing the naptick logo's flowing curve)

2

prototype iteration

creating scaled 3D printed and foam models to test proportions and physical presence, followed by functional prototypes testing different:

light diffusion methods (internal reflection vs. direct projection)
material combinations (opacity, transmission, finish)
button mechanisms (capacitive, mechanical, hybrid)

3

material development

the material selection process requires balancing aesthetic goals with light performance:

testing diffuser materials, measuring light quality and visual appeal
planning user tests to determine preferred light quality
creating finish samples to validate manufacturing capability at scale

4

final design refinement

through this process, we're refining the design to a form that balances technical requirements with aesthetic goals:

a gently tapered cylindrical form that provides optimal light projection while maintaining stability
distinct material transitions that double as intuitive grip points
a weighted base with integrated cable management
a distinctive light diffusion pattern that references the brand's curve

physical interaction design

for the physical interaction design, i'm focusing on creating a system that will serve users in various states of consciousness – from fully alert to barely awake:

critical interaction mapping

i mapped the full sleep experience to identify key moments requiring physical interaction:

evening wind-downs (setting sleep timer, adjusting light choreography and sound atmosphere)
middle-of-night disruptions (subtle light activation, ambient sound adjustment)
morning wake-up (gentle transitions, alarm dismissal, progressive light intensity)

light choreography

designed responsive light behaviors that support the sleep journey:

evening sequences that gradually shift color temperature from energizing to calming
nighttime illumination providing just enough visibility without disrupting melatonin production
morning wake-up choreography mimicking sunrise with natural color progression
emotional light patterns that communicate device state through subtle pulsing and transitions

sound design

created a comprehensive sound experience that complements the sleep cycle:

ambient soundscapes with generative compositions that evolve without repetitive patterns
interaction sounds providing subtle feedback without jarring the user from their relaxed state
morning audio wake-up designed with gradual intensity increase matched to light changes
acoustically engineered response patterns that feel natural and intuitive to half-conscious users

sensory experience design

i developed a cohesive multi-sensory approach that respects users' cognitive states:

textured physical controls with distinctive tactile feedback for intuitive nighttime interaction
tangible interaction points positioned at natural grip locations on the device surface
audio feedback tones specially designed to be recognizable yet gentle when users are half-asleep
integrated light and sound experiences that work in harmony to create appropriate sleep or wake atmospheres

ux strategy & digital integration

the physical product needs to work in concert with digital touchpoints, creating a cohesive ecosystem:

cross-platform experience mapping

we defined which interactions belong where:

physical product: time-sensitive, frequent, and simple interactions
mobile app: complex settings, scheduling, and personalization
voice: convenience functions and accessibility support

Contextual Experience Design

The system needed to adapt based on context:

Time-aware responses (different behaviors morning vs. evening)
Ambient light sensing to adjust brightness
Gradual transitions between states to avoid jarring experiences

Information Architecture

We created a streamlined app structure with three primary sections:

Sleep setup (evening routines, sounds, schedules)
Wake up (alarm settings, light patterns, intensities)
Settings (device management, preferences)

Interaction Continuity

We designed handoff moments between physical and digital:

Physical button press could trigger app options when appropriate
App settings directly reflected in physical product behavior
Consistent terminology and mental models across touchpoints

outcomes
and
learnings

the naptick project revealed profound insights about designing for vulnerable states of consciousness. moving between research, prototyping, and refinement uncovered how deeply personal our relationship with sleep technology can be. the tactile quality of physical interfaces became not just a functional consideration but an emotional anchor for users navigating the liminal spaces between wakefulness and sleep.

perhaps most significant was discovering how design decisions ripple through the sleep experience ecosystem. the careful crafting of transitions—both in the digital interface and physical product— can easily create moments of genuine connection with users. this project reinforced my belief that thoughtful design can transform our relationship with technology into something that enhances rather than disrupts our natural rhythms.