Portal One
Beyond a pair of ANC headphones, signaling a “Concentration mode” of the wearer to others, introducing a social code for workplaces of mutual understanding and respect.
By Zhenghao Huang, Weiqi Sun
Being able to concentrate and be free of interruptions at open-plan workspace is essential. Failure to read other's need of concentration and status of in an online meeting may lead to unexpected disturbances and interruptions.
Global Cognition of "Do not Disturb" signal wearing a headphone is not always communicated
The act of wearing headphones has become a universal signal for "Do Not Disturb" and "Concentration," a non-verbal cue used by millions to visually communicate their need for focus and privacy.
Ineffective interpretation
The signals are often confused and unclear
Problem
Disturbance happens a lot
Others don't always perceive this privacy signal and will try to talk to users often. However, they don't necessarily mean to disturb.
How: visual indication on headphone as a signal for "concentration"
Integrating visual indicators into headphones as an on-demand status signal allows surrounding people to intuitively perceive the wearer's current state. Adding a layer of concentration signal.
Current visual practices
Not ideal for professional space
Experiments, user test and decision
Abstract Dynamic light
Abstract Visual Communication: Lights are a clear and non-verbal way to communicate. In a work or public environment, others can easily see the lights and understand that the user is concentrating and prefers not to be interrupted.
Color Psychology: Blue and purple are often associated with calmness, focus, and creativity. Blue, in particular, is known to have a calming effect and is frequently used in workspaces to enhance productivity and focus. Purple can be associated with creativity and wisdom. These colors can subtly signal to others that the wearer is in a state of deep concentration or creative work.
Dynamic light, Obvious Yet Non-Disruptive: Dynamic lights are more obvious than static ones, making it more likely that others will notice and respect the user's focus state. At the same time, the abstract pattern can be noticeable without being distracting or overly bright, which is important in shared spaces.
Inspiration
Ideation and iteration
How to incoporate the visual into the headphone
Iterations are about to make it easy for others to see the light, make the shape ergonomic for user to touch, make the display easy to use guesture control and make the aesthetics modern for workplace.
Portal One
Create social code for workplace
Portal One introduces a socializing code for workplaces, focusing on respecting personal concentration and improving mutual understanding. It promises to boost productivity, reduce stress, and foster an inclusive, respectful environment. This adaptable approach balances individual focus with collaborative engagement, enhancing overall workplace harmony and efficiency.
