light therapy
for seasonal affective disorder
Undergraduate Thesis, 2017
Sponsored by Lighting Science Group Corporation
SECONDARY research
Seasonal Affective Disorder
also known as
SAD
affects about 20% of the population, with up to 50% of the population in certain parts of the world experiencing at least some minor seasonal depression.
SAD is a recurrent depressive disorder that causes sufferers to experience bouts of intense depression linked to a lack of sunlight in the winter. These episodes can deeply affect the lives of those with SAD in the wintertime.
Living with sad
SAD is a recurrent depressive disorder that causes sufferers to experience bouts of intense depression linked to a lack of sunlight in the winter. These episodes can deeply affect the lives of those with SAD in the wintertime.
light therapy
Light therapy uses timed lighting to regulate cortisol, which impacts wakefulness and mood during the day, and melatonin, which promotes restful sleep at night. The right light spectrum mimics sunlight, to promote correct hormone production.
blue light spectrum
SAD is best treated with lights that provide enough blue-spectrum light at the correct intensity to promote hormone production. Most commercially available sun lamps lack biologically regulating blue light, making up for it with too-bright lights that still lack the circadian impact of blue-spectrum light.
Sun Lamps
market analysis
Many sun lamps do not provide blue spectrum light, and they rarely provide guidance to help users decide their dose and schedule.
Wearables
Wearable light therapy glasses provide doses of light when worn, by shining directly towards the eyes. However, they are extremely expensive, and the technology is inaccessible to the average user
Wakeup Lights
Wake up lights simulate the onset of dawn by slowly increasing in brightness. They also have some therapeutic effect treating SAD.
primary research
Ethnographic Research
I surveyed 27 participants, ranging in age from 20-55, to assess their personal experiences relating to seasonal depression and light therapy.
Survey Results
I interviewed 5 respondents suffering from Seasonal Affective disorder, 3 of whom use light therapy to treat their SAD. One respondent frequented tanning salons as a faux light therapy treatment.
Informational Interviews
CO-DESIGN PROCESS
Generative Workshop
I planned and moderated a generative workshop in which five participants with SAD examined their preconceptions of the disorder, created ideal scenarios, and designed dream light therapy devices for themselves. Participants were sensitized prior to the session with a workbook clarifying their experiences with SAD, their use of therapies, and notes to bring up in the session.
Experiential Landscapes
Participants expressed a desire to experience the positive aspects of winter, but their SAD hindered them from doing so. This highlights the impact of SAD but also provides insights into opportunities for integrating positive emotions into the treatment process.
Maketool Activity
After participants grew more comfortable discussing and thinking about their current and ideal experiences with SAD, I asked them to craft their ideal light therapy devices out of a variety of craft supplies, encouraging them to use their imagination when describing these devices.
Participants crafted solutions using a variety of architectures, from static to portable to wearable.
ideation
CONCEPT architecture
exploration
Following the workshop, I generated concepts on wearable, portable, and systemic solutions. These ideas were evolutions on the concepts created by users during the generative session, and explored a range of architectures for the design solution. When re-engaged, workshop participants indicated a preference for the systemic approach, as it would fit the most seamlessly into their daily routine.
user lifestyle
Nura’s target users are active young professionals, predominantly women who are ambitious and hard-working, but who emphasize self-care, and take time to provide the therapies they need to be their best selves.
With the target user in mind, I explored forms for single unit devices as well as modular combinations, considering points of user interaction with the device as well as its ability to blend seamlessly into the home environment.
CONCEPT GENERATION
confident | hopeful | active | genuine | eco-conscious
Development
2D & 3D development
Building upon previous modular concepts, the second round of form development incorporated tesselating forms that both reflect light backwards against the wall to reduce glare, and out towards the user.
I created a variety of 3D printed models to test scale, form, and tesselation, each with approximately 4 square inches of surface area to provide maximum light output while minimizing glare.
prototyping & DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING
I designed an enclosure that would allow for appropriate diffusion of light using a grid of Lighting Science LEDs. I worked with Lighting Science engineers to ensure that the design met the requirements of the technology.
color, material, and finish
cozy
bright
gentle
awake
calm
productive
design outputs
user Journey
A CUSTOMIZABLE SYSTEM
The Nura system was designed to accommodate both use at home and on-the-go. Each Nura system comes with four units, allowing users to arrange and rearrange the design to suit their lifestyle and needs.
making compliance
simple & intuitive
Once users have positioned their units, they can use the Nura app to control their light therapy experience. Users enter their preferred times for light therapy, and the system will begin therapy automatically, ensuring compliance even during mental health crises.
