Brief
Relationships are constantly evolving and the health of those relationships dictates the participants’ well-being.
How can we use design to improve a couple’s relationship and their general well-being?
Research direction
Couples servery
30% say they argue over household tasks
20% say they argue due to a lack of attention
20% say they argue because of a lack of communication
13% say they argue because of different ideals
50% Say they spend the most time with their partner in the bedroom
9.38% Say they spend the most time with their partner in the kitchen
25% Say they spend the most time with their partner in the living room
15.62% did not live together
Interviews
Well, I’ve been on ferlow as I work" in the performing arts industry but my girlfriend was working from home so I was basically confined to the bedroom as she wanted her piece during calls especially. I’m worried that I will need to do that every time as she has been told that her office is closing because they’re centralizing the offices and I work mostly at night so we will need to find a solution that works for both of us.
Once we both went back to uni we noticed that working around each other was proving difficult and as we have less time to do the household chores, we started falling into our own separate routines, we bearly even eat together anymore it feels like sleep and arguing about the mess is the only time we actually spend together. I would like to share things again but Idont”.know how to engage it
I noticed that since I live with my partner we fight more as we are constantly together, when we fight my girlfriend ends up going under the covers in the bed but then she wants my attention, I’m sure she would do that on the sofa or in the same room as I work from but there is nowhere to retreat, she would need a private space withing the room I am in.
Research essay
Promoting healthy relationships is a recurring subject in many disciplines but not in product design. The most prevalent issues are lack of communication, rent prices increase along with the reduction of space all counter the creation of a comfortable home. Relationship psychology could be a key element in understanding communication problems and their application to design. Feng shui might not be a proper science but some of the principles I learned about do work in the real world. Specific materials and colours help a great deal to create a safe and secure space in a home. The form of the furniture and the way the spaces are divided within the home are also key elements in promoting a healthy relationship.
Initial idea’s
Developed idea’s
Sketch model
Final concept
MINI-DWELL
Base model
The base model comes with rest areas, storage, a ladder to access the top area, and desk space as this is the most lacking feature in a small home.
Optional add-ons
Add-ons will allow the users to adapt the product to their needs and make it their own. For example, the ladder can be transformed into a climbing wall or the desk area into a wardrobe.
