A photo album with audio messages
3.5 weeks
Solo
Project manager, UX designer, Researcher, Coder, Documentarian
How might we support elders with cognitive impairments in remembering their loved ones and coping with memory loss?
The goal is to provide a portable and user-friendly tool that reduces loneliness and fosters connections among individuals with cognitive impairments.
Alweis, a photo album with audio messages, is designed to help them remember the names and voices of their loved ones. By incorporating music, audio, and photographs, Alweis improves memory recall and overall well-being. The product follows a Genius Design approach, ensuring engagement and seamless integration into daily routines.
While this photo frame offers users the ability to record a message, it is limited to holding only one photo and recording just one message.
This photo frame provides users with the convenience of instant photo uploading via WiFi. Additionally, users can play videos directly on the frame. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that connecting and uploading through WiFi may pose a challenge for the elderly.
This photo frame shares similarities with the Kodak WiFi Digital Picture Frame, enabling users to display both videos and pictures. Nonetheless, the utilization of remote controls may prove challenging for elderly users.
1.Alweis serves as a comprehensive photo album, enabling users to consolidate multiple images and messages in a single location.
2. Alweis does not require utilization of additional technology, like a remote control, which may be challenging for the elderly to use.
Each morning, individuals with cognitive impairment can utilize this photo album as a tool for memory stimulation. The album features a series of pages that display a photograph, a person's name, and an audio message switch. Users can press the switch to listen to the corresponding message and attempt to recall the individual's name. In cases where the user forgets a name, they can easily locate the person by flipping through the book, matching the image to the individual, and either reading or listening to their name.
Initially, the album was conceptualized with switches incorporated on the tab to indicate the presence of a switch on each page and to reduce the overall size of the product. However, during this phase, it became evident that flipping the pages caused the wires to detach from the Arduino.
A speaker box was developed to house the speaker, breadboard, and switches. This speaker box will be affixed to the album with a wooden base at the bottom to ensure stability.
The volume of the voice recordings was very soft when they were imported into the code.
I amplified the volume by importing the recordings into a software, and changed the speaker. I realized that the quality of speakers in the package were different when I tested them.
I printed pictures of my cousins and myself using a polaroid printer to create a more retro aesthetic.
Then, I created the tabs on the notebook
Lastly, I glued everything down on a wood board
Due to limited time and users being in a vulnerable group, testing was not done for this project.
I was able to create the photo album with all the recordings and photos of my cousins. I also included brief information about each person. Although not tested on elderly individuals, Alweis has the potential to greatly benefit those with cognitive impairments by helping them remember loved ones. The thoughtful design of switches corresponding to specific pages allows for easy use and quick learning. Additionally, Alweis can be a valuable tool for individuals who enjoy documenting their lives by pairing photos with recordings for a more immersive experience
Increasing the volume of the voice recordings
Attempting to 3D print the box
1. Add an extra speaker or amplifier
2. Have the voice recordings play when the user flips the page
3. Add a wireless recording device
4. Seek IRB approval