The team was given the brief to design a fan that is both lightweight and serious. In response, they developed DiscipliFan, a smart fan that promotes discipline through airflow and visual feedback. By reinforcing positive habits, DiscipliFan subtly guides users toward better routines through gentle, non-intrusive cues. Using a red LED and variable fan speed, it provides cooling airflow when goals are met and pauses when expectations are not fulfilled, creating a continuous feedback loop that encourages self-correction.
This project focused on prototyping as a process, with an emphasis on iterative ideation and refining object-human interaction. The team engaged in three rounds of ideation, incorporating insights from user testing to evaluate whether the prototype delivered its intended interaction.
The team designed a scenario where DiscipliFan helps a student stay disciplined during the summer by ensuring they wake up on time, maintain good posture while studying, and remain focused. The fan tracks body posture, time, and attention, adjusting airflow accordingly. If poor posture is detected or focus is lost, the fan slows or stops, prompting the user to correct their behaviour before resuming airflow. This subtle intervention helps the user form better habits over time without feeling forced or pressured.
Research insights informed the link between airflow and performance, drawing from behavioural reinforcement techniques. DiscipliFan demonstrates how smart devices can subtly guide users toward better habits by integrating feedback seamlessly into daily routines. Through this process, the team gained valuable insights into rapid prototyping, hypothesis testing, and designing intuitive, meaningful interactions.
