Pillow
Team: Carter Heikkila + Jerred Mace
Pillow is a children’s nightlight that reinforces bedtime routines through physical touch. Inspired by the sensation of resting one’s head on a pillow, the nightlight is activated under the weight of a plush ball. This “bedtime” ball functions as a transitional object that reminds and encourages children to take an active role in their bedtime routines. When it’s time for bed, the child takes the final step of their routine by placing the ball on top of the lamp.
Identifying the Problem
64.2%
of children and adolescents reported having nighttime fears
37%
of children have significant sleep problems
Importance of Bedtime Routines
“Children of mothers who reported consistent parenting and high adherence to a bedtime routine were predicted to sleep 716 minutes at night, roughly 1 hr more than children of mothers reporting more inconsistent parenting”
Night Lights
Night lights have long provided a comforting presence that anchor bedtime routines and signal the passing of each day
Unlike bright light emitted from phones and other sources, nightlights do not suppress natural melatonin levels
Market Research
Many nightlights on the market today fall into one of the two following categories:
High function, abstract form (appeals to parents)
Low function, representational form (appeals to children)
User Research
We met with a classroom of 32 second grade students to better understand how children perceive nightlights and bedtime routines
Key Insights
Children prefer soft, often representational forms
Nighttime fears are common, and nightlights are subtle reminders of safety
Most children have a difficult time articulating night time routines which may suggest a gap in how routines are communicated
How might we design a nightlight that communicates and strengthens bedtime routines?
Ideation
“Many young children enjoy the comfort of a transitional object such as a special toy, doll, or blanket.”
Prototyping
Digital Explorations + Packaging
Carter H. Visualizations*
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