MEMORY BOX
The Memory Box is a product designed for individuals spending their final days in the hospital. It combines personal photographs with soothing nature sounds, such as birdsongs and gentle rustling leaves, to create a deeply nostalgic and emotionally uplifting experience. By pairing visual memories with evocative audio cues, the Memory Box helps users relive cherished moments, bringing comfort and a sense of connection to their past. This design transforms aims to the sterile hospital environment into a space of reflection and solace, offering a meaningful way to celebrate life’s precious memories in its final chapter.
The Memory Box is a product designed for individuals spending their final days in the hospital. It combines personal photographs with soothing nature sounds, such as birdsongs and gentle rustling leaves, to create a deeply nostalgic and emotionally uplifting experience. By pairing visual memories with evocative audio cues, the Memory Box helps users relive cherished moments, bringing comfort and a sense of connection to their past. This design transforms aims to the sterile hospital environment into a space of reflection and solace, offering a meaningful way to celebrate life’s precious memories in its final chapter.
The Memory Box is a product designed for individuals spending their final days in the hospital. It combines personal photographs with soothing nature sounds, such as birdsongs and gentle rustling leaves, to create a deeply nostalgic and emotionally uplifting experience. By pairing visual memories with evocative audio cues, the Memory Box helps users relive cherished moments, bringing comfort and a sense of connection to their past. This design transforms aims to the sterile hospital environment into a space of reflection and solace, offering a meaningful way to celebrate life’s precious memories in its final chapter.
Project Scope
Project Scope
Project Type: Academic (2 weeks)
Project Type:
Academic (2 weeks)
Project Type:
Academic (2 weeks)
My Role: UX Researcher, UX Designer.
My Role:
UX Researcher, UX Designer.
My Role:
UX Researcher, UX Designer.
Team: Marty Chen (Visual & 3d Designer), Abbey Wang, Kye( Digital Product Designer), Li Chia (Architect)
My Role:
UX Researcher, UX Designer.
Team:
Marty Chen (Visual & 3d Designer), Abbey Wang, Kye( Digital Product Designer), Li Chia (Architect)
Methodologies:
Digital Soundwalking
Emotional Resonance
User Testing
Methodologies:
Digital Soundwalking
Emotional Resonance
User Testing
Methodologies:
Digital Soundwalking
Emotional Resonance
User Testing
Tools
Arduino, Miro
Tools
Arduino, Miro
Tools
Arduino, Miro
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Developing an individual research project and carrying out design-oriented research using a variety of methods and presenting it in narrative form. (Enquiry, Knowledge, Communication)
Making design prototypes at increasing levels of fidelity using different technologies. (Process, Realisation)
Implementing fully realised UX design outcomes informed by a detailed understanding of theoretical and conceptual approaches and drawing on a range of practical design skills. (Process, Realisation)
Understanding and articulating the key theoretical ideas underpinning UX design with particular reference to concepts of experience and narrative. (Knowledge)
Developing an individual research project and carrying out design-oriented research using a variety of methods and presenting it in narrative form. (Enquiry, Knowledge, Communication)
Making design prototypes at increasing levels of fidelity using different technologies. (Process, Realisation)
Implementing fully realised UX design outcomes informed by a detailed understanding of theoretical and conceptual approaches and drawing on a range of practical design skills. (Process, Realisation)
Understanding and articulating the key theoretical ideas underpinning UX design with particular reference to concepts of experience and narrative. (Knowledge)
Developing an individual research project and carrying out design-oriented research using a variety of methods and presenting it in narrative form. (Enquiry, Knowledge, Communication)
Making design prototypes at increasing levels of fidelity using different technologies. (Process, Realisation)
Implementing fully realised UX design outcomes informed by a detailed understanding of theoretical and conceptual approaches and drawing on a range of practical design skills. (Process, Realisation)
Understanding and articulating the key theoretical ideas underpinning UX design with particular reference to concepts of experience and narrative. (Knowledge)
Aim
Aim
Aim
How can birdsong be transformed into a meaningful urban experience?
Who are the primary users of the urban birdsong experience?
What emotional or cognitive impact do we want users to take away from the experience?
What media (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile) best support the narrative of birdsong in urban spaces?
How can birdsong be transformed into a meaningful urban experience?
Who are the primary users of the urban birdsong experience?
What emotional or cognitive impact do we want users to take away from the experience?
What media (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile) best support the narrative of birdsong in urban spaces?
How can birdsong be transformed into a meaningful urban experience?
Who are the primary users of the urban birdsong experience?
What emotional or cognitive impact do we want users to take away from the experience?
What media (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile) best support the narrative of birdsong in urban spaces?
Research
Primary Research: Understanding the experience of birdsong
Primary Research: Understanding the experience of birdsong
Primary Research: Understanding the experience of birdsong
This research explored the emotional impact of birdsong through Soundwalking in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Burgess Park, and St. James’s Park. Inspired by Hollywood's misuse of the Loon sound as a mood shortcut, the study highlighted birdsong's therapeutic and nostalgic qualities in contrast to stressful urban noises.
Emotional Resonance. Participants shared emotional responses and mental imagery, revealing birdsong's ability to evoke calm, memories, and a deeper connection to nature. The findings underscore the potential of birdsong to enhance emotional well-being in urban and media environments.
This research explored the emotional impact of birdsong through Soundwalking in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Burgess Park, and St. James’s Park. Inspired by Hollywood's misuse of the Loon sound as a mood shortcut, the study highlighted birdsong's therapeutic and nostalgic qualities in contrast to stressful urban noises.
Emotional Resonance. Participants shared emotional responses and mental imagery, revealing birdsong's ability to evoke calm, memories, and a deeper connection to nature. The findings underscore the potential of birdsong to enhance emotional well-being in urban and media environments.
This research explored the emotional impact of birdsong through Soundwalking in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Burgess Park, and St. James’s Park. Inspired by Hollywood's misuse of the Loon sound as a mood shortcut, the study highlighted birdsong's therapeutic and nostalgic qualities in contrast to stressful urban noises.
Emotional Resonance. Participants shared emotional responses and mental imagery, revealing birdsong's ability to evoke calm, memories, and a deeper connection to nature. The findings underscore the potential of birdsong to enhance emotional well-being in urban and media environments.
Soundwalking
Soundwalking
These conversations provided a space for individuals to recount their personal experiences of miscommunication and cultural misunderstandings in the workplace. This method emphasised the human element behind communication issues and encouraged participants to articulate the impact of these challenges on team dynamics and outcomes.
These conversations provided a space for individuals to recount their personal experiences of miscommunication and cultural misunderstandings in the workplace. This method emphasised the human element behind communication issues and encouraged participants to articulate the impact of these challenges on team dynamics and outcomes.
These conversations provided a space for individuals to recount their personal experiences of miscommunication and cultural misunderstandings in the workplace. This method emphasised the human element behind communication issues and encouraged participants to articulate the impact of these challenges on team dynamics and outcomes.
St. Mary’s Churchyard
Burgess Park
St. James Park
Insights
Insights
Contrasting Sound Environments
St. Mary’s Churchyard
Conflicting natural and urban sounds caused cognitive dissonance and stress, reducing user comfort.
St. Mary’s Churchyard
Conflicting natural and urban sounds caused cognitive dissonance and stress, reducing user comfort.
St. Mary’s Churchyard
Conflicting natural and urban sounds caused cognitive dissonance and stress, reducing user comfort.
Burgess Park,
A harmonious mix of natural sounds evoked happiness, excitement, and energy, enhancing engagement.
Burgess Park,
A harmonious mix of natural sounds evoked happiness, excitement, and energy, enhancing engagement.
Burgess Park,
A harmonious mix of natural sounds evoked happiness, excitement, and energy, enhancing engagement.
St. James's Park
Tranquil natural sounds promoted relaxation and peace, delivering a restorative auditory experience.
St. James's Park
Tranquil natural sounds promoted relaxation and peace, delivering a restorative auditory experience.
St. James's Park
Tranquil natural sounds promoted relaxation and peace, delivering a restorative auditory experience.
Urban Noise vs. Natural Soundscapes
Mechanical noises (e.g., cars, construction, airplanes) often created feelings of stress, disconnection, and frustration, interrupting moments of peace.
Mechanical noises (e.g., cars, construction, airplanes) often created feelings of stress, disconnection, and frustration, interrupting moments of peace.
Mechanical noises (e.g., cars, construction, airplanes) often created feelings of stress, disconnection, and frustration, interrupting moments of peace.
Natural soundscapes (birds, leaves, water) were reported to lower stress and evoke positive mental images like parks, childhood memories, or specific calming spaces.
Natural soundscapes (birds, leaves, water) were reported to lower stress and evoke positive mental images like parks, childhood memories, or specific calming spaces.
Natural soundscapes (birds, leaves, water) were reported to lower stress and evoke positive mental images like parks, childhood memories, or specific calming spaces.
Conclusion
Our initial Soundwalking sessions revealed how the contrast between natural and urban soundscapes shaped participants’ immediate experiences—ranging from cognitive dissonance and stress in noisy areas like St. Mary’s Churchyard to feelings of peace and connection in tranquil spaces like St. James’s Park.
Conclusion
Our initial Soundwalking sessions revealed how the contrast between natural and urban soundscapes shaped participants’ immediate experiences—ranging from cognitive dissonance and stress in noisy areas like St. Mary’s Churchyard to feelings of peace and connection in tranquil spaces like St. James’s Park.
Conclusion
Our initial Soundwalking sessions revealed how the contrast between natural and urban soundscapes shaped participants’ immediate experiences—ranging from cognitive dissonance and stress in noisy areas like St. Mary’s Churchyard to feelings of peace and connection in tranquil spaces like St. James’s Park.
However, this phase raised deeper questions:
Why do certain sounds elicit strong emotional reactions?
How do these auditory experiences influence memory, imagination, or well-being?
However, this phase raised deeper questions:
Why do certain sounds elicit strong emotional reactions?
How do these auditory experiences influence memory, imagination, or well-being?
However, this phase raised deeper questions:
Why do certain sounds elicit strong emotional reactions?
How do these auditory experiences influence memory, imagination, or well-being?
Emotional Resonance
Emotional Resonance
This curiosity led to our second phase: Emotional Resonance. By asking participants not just what they heard but how it made them feel and what it reminded them of, we moved beyond surface-level soundscapes to explore the personal, emotional, and psychological dimensions of birdsong. This shift allowed us to uncover how specific avian sounds can evoke nostalgia, comfort, or even irritation—insights crucial for designing sound-sensitive urban and digital experiences.
This curiosity led to our second phase: Emotional Resonance. By asking participants not just what they heard but how it made them feel and what it reminded them of, we moved beyond surface-level soundscapes to explore the personal, emotional, and psychological dimensions of birdsong. This shift allowed us to uncover how specific avian sounds can evoke nostalgia, comfort, or even irritation—insights crucial for designing sound-sensitive urban and digital experiences.
Research into Hollywood's use of the loon sound reveals frequent inappropriate applications as a mood-setting shortcut. Reflection on the soothing effects of birdsong during digital sound walking emphasises nuanced understanding and responsible utilisation of avian sounds in media and urban environments.
Research into Hollywood's use of the loon sound reveals frequent inappropriate applications as a mood-setting shortcut. Reflection on the soothing effects of birdsong during digital sound walking emphasises nuanced understanding and responsible utilisation of avian sounds in media and urban environments.
Research into Hollywood's use of the loon sound reveals frequent inappropriate applications as a mood-setting shortcut. Reflection on the soothing effects of birdsong during digital sound walking emphasises nuanced understanding and responsible utilisation of avian sounds in media and urban environments.
Inspiration
Inspiration
Hollywood movies often use the Loon sound to evoke melancholy or tension.
This shortcut highlights our limited understanding of birds and their songs.
It reminded us of the therapeutic effect of natural soundscapes during our soundwalking at St. James's Park.
Hollywood movies often use the Loon sound to evoke melancholy or tension.
This shortcut highlights our limited understanding of birds and their songs.
It reminded us of the therapeutic effect of natural soundscapes during our soundwalking at St. James's Park.
Hollywood movies often use the Loon sound to evoke melancholy or tension.
This shortcut highlights our limited understanding of birds and their songs.
It reminded us of the therapeutic effect of natural soundscapes during our soundwalking at St. James's Park.
Process
Process
Conducted qualitative research with people on campus.
Asked two simple questions:
How did you feel?
What images came to your mind?
Collected personal stories and emotional responses.
Conducted qualitative research with people on campus.
Asked two simple questions:
How did you feel?
What images came to your mind?
Collected personal stories and emotional responses.
Conducted qualitative research with people on campus.
Asked two simple questions:
How did you feel?
What images came to your mind?
Collected personal stories and emotional responses.
Key Insights
Birdsongs deeply affect emotions and imagination.
Birdsongs deeply affect emotions and imagination.
They create vivid visual and emotional connections.
They create vivid visual and emotional connections.
Natural soundscapes hold the potential for enhancing well-being.
Natural soundscapes hold the potential for enhancing well-being.
Transitioning from Emotional Resonance to Environmental Design
Following our exploration into the emotional impact of birdsong, we discovered that sound is far more than background noise—it’s a powerful emotional and psychological trigger. Participants shared how specific bird calls could transport them to memories, reduce stress, or even provoke discomfort. This deepened our understanding of how sensory experiences shape emotional states.
Following our exploration into the emotional impact of birdsong, we discovered that sound is far more than background noise—it’s a powerful emotional and psychological trigger. Participants shared how specific bird calls could transport them to memories, reduce stress, or even provoke discomfort. This deepened our understanding of how sensory experiences shape emotional states.
This led us to ask a broader question:
This led us to ask a broader question:
If natural sounds can evoke peace and connection, what happens in spaces that lack them—like hospitals?
If natural sounds can evoke peace and connection, what happens in spaces that lack them—like hospitals?
Who are the Users?
Who are the Users?
“This project reminds me of my time in the hospital with my grandfather just before he passed away. I remembered the claustrophobic and unpleasant environment in the hospital room. Even though he is mostly unconscious, the doctor said he could still hear us talking. So I remember my family would bring photo albums and personal items to the hospital room to talk to him and tell stories I feel if we had last week’s prototype we could have made the environment more pleasant, bringing in nature, and birdsong. A better experience.”
“This project reminds me of my time in the hospital with my grandfather just before he passed away. I remembered the claustrophobic and unpleasant environment in the hospital room. Even though he is mostly unconscious, the doctor said he could still hear us talking. So I remember my family would bring photo albums and personal items to the hospital room to talk to him and tell stories I feel if we had last week’s prototype we could have made the environment more pleasant, bringing in nature, and birdsong. A better experience.”
“This project reminds me of my time in the hospital with my grandfather just before he passed away. I remembered the claustrophobic and unpleasant environment in the hospital room. Even though he is mostly unconscious, the doctor said he could still hear us talking. So I remember my family would bring photo albums and personal items to the hospital room to talk to him and tell stories I feel if we had last week’s prototype we could have made the environment more pleasant, bringing in nature, and birdsong. A better experience.”
— Marty Chen
Team Member
Secondary Research: Effects of hospital environment on Patients
Secondary Research: Effects of hospital environment on Patients
Secondary Research: Effects of hospital environment on Patients
To answer this, we shifted our focus to secondary research into hospital environments. We wanted to understand how institutional settings, often filled with mechanical noises, monotony, and isolation, affect patient stress and recovery. Our aim was to compare the therapeutic potential of nature-based sensory design with the emotional toll of clinical, overstimulating, or sterile hospital settings.
To answer this, we shifted our focus to secondary research into hospital environments. We wanted to understand how institutional settings, often filled with mechanical noises, monotony, and isolation, affect patient stress and recovery. Our aim was to compare the therapeutic potential of nature-based sensory design with the emotional toll of clinical, overstimulating, or sterile hospital settings.
This research helped frame the broader application of our findings—how can emotional resonance through sensory design be used to improve patient well-being in medical environments?
Who is this for?
Who is this for?
Elderly Patients: Often facing physical frailty, emotional vulnerability, and a desire to connect with family.
Needs: Emotional comfort, simplicity, and ease of use.
Features: Voice-activated controls, large text displays, and customisable visuals.
Elderly Patients: Often facing physical frailty, emotional vulnerability, and a desire to connect with family.
Needs: Emotional comfort, simplicity, and ease of use.
Features: Voice-activated controls, large text displays, and customisable visuals.
Elderly Patients: Often facing physical frailty, emotional vulnerability, and a desire to connect with family.
Needs: Emotional comfort, simplicity, and ease of use.
Features: Voice-activated controls, large text displays, and customisable visuals.
Terminally Ill Patients (Younger Demographic): Facing life-limiting illnesses but still engaged with technology or modern means of communication.
Needs: Personalisation, creative expression, and shared experiences.
Features: Collaborative elements (e.g., family members adding content remotely), interactive displays.
Terminally Ill Patients (Younger Demographic): Facing life-limiting illnesses but still engaged with technology or modern means of communication.
Needs: Personalisation, creative expression, and shared experiences.
Features: Collaborative elements (e.g., family members adding content remotely), interactive displays.
Terminally Ill Patients (Younger Demographic): Facing life-limiting illnesses but still engaged with technology or modern means of communication.
Needs: Personalisation, creative expression, and shared experiences.
Features: Collaborative elements (e.g., family members adding content remotely), interactive displays.
Ideation
Concept Drawings
Soundscape Examples
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Prototyping
Memory Soundscapes
Going to the beach
Going to the beach
0:00/1:34
Sound of ocean currents, seagulls
Sound of ocean currents, seagulls
Sound of ocean currents, seagulls
Visiting the park
Visiting the park
0:00/1:34
Sound of music in the park, birds, wind
Sound of music in the park, birds, wind
Sound of music in the park, birds, wind
Hiking
Hiking
0:00/1:34
Sound of footsteps, water stream, bird
Sound of footsteps, water stream, bird
Sound of footsteps, water stream, bird
Final Design: Memory Box
Final Design: Memory Box
