Week #7 - Finding Focus as a Team ✨

This week started with a challenge we couldn’t ignore: we weren’t fully aligned on when and how our solution should intervene. “Before escalation” sounds clear in theory, but in reality, it can happen at any moment, in any place, and throughout the day. That made our concept feel too broad and a bit confusing. 🤔

Getting on the Same Page 🧩

Once we zoomed in on our target users, teenagers, one key insight shaped the conversation: teens care deeply about belonging and often avoid anything that makes them stand out. That made us question earlier directions like a larger object or a dedicated “calm corner.” Even if helpful, it could be too visible and therefore uncomfortable to use in front of others.

Narrowing the Concept 🎯

From there, our thinking shifted toward a more personal, discreet solution: a small wearable object that creates a short pause in the heat of the moment. We focused on the idea of a physical “reset” that can release tension through a simple press action, supported by gentle vibration and a short breathing prompt. The goal is not to solve the conflict right away, but to lower intensity before it escalates.

Then, once the user is calm, a connected app can support a second step: quick reflection and practical tools through short prompts, guided options, or light interactive support.

Using “The Perfect Personal Assistant” Exercise 🤝

To make the flow more concrete, we used an ideation exercise called “The Perfect Personal Assistant.” The idea is to imagine a knowledgeable digital expert who steps in at the right moment and helps the user through digital actions only. This helped us translate our direction into a clearer scenario and interaction sequence.

Scenario ⚡

Based on this alignment, we revised our scenario to better match how teens actually behave in real conflict moments. In the updated flow, the wearable supports a discreet pause when emotions rise, guiding a quick calming action first. After things cool down, the app supports a short reflection and offers practical next steps for returning to the situation in a calmer, more respectful way.

Key Takeaways ✅

• Alignment helped us move from a broad idea to a clearer, more specific direction.

• A discreet, personal intervention feels more realistic for teens than a visible public solution.

• Separating the flow into calm first, then process second, makes the experience more natural and usable.

  
  

Looking Ahead 👀

Next week, we’ll explore de-escalation more deeply, especially in teenage contexts, and use those insights to refine both the wearable interaction and the app flow. There’s definitely more to look forward to. ✨