The Hive
Human-Centered Design Challenge
2024
Role
HC Designer
Project Overview
Redesign a Personal Grooming Experience
Duration
6
Weeks
Background
The HIVE is an academic department associated with Harvey Mudd College that offers courses aimed at challenging students to solve complex, real-world problems through creativity and collaboration.
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In the spring semester of 2024, I enrolled in the their Human-Centered Design course, which focuses on using human-centered approaches to solve real-world problems. In this course, I applied user research, design and prototyping principles in three hands-on design challenges, one of which I will highlight here.
Design Brief
Redesign the personal grooming experience for another person.
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Choose an area of focus
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Identify a distinct user group for which to design (consider people who have an extreme perspective on grooming, someone whose livelihood depends on it, someone who doesn’t spend much time on it at all)
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Consider people with extreme needs, and explore analogous situations, too
Empathize
For this design challenge, I began by conducting user research through three avenues:​
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Online
Research
Observation
User Interviews
This process helped me set aside any assumptions I had about personal grooming and gain real-life insights into users and their needs.
Online
Research
Initially, I was curious about the dental experience—specifically how flossing is integrated and perceived within someone's routine. Taking it a step further, I wanted to explore how a specific target user—brace-wearers—approach the flossing experience.
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I first sought to understand which products brace-wearers typically incorporate into their dental routine.
Toothbrush
Bristle Brush
Floss-Threader
Mouthwash
Wax
Typical Dental Routine for Brace-Wearers
Insight #1
Floss-threader is the most popular product for flossing with braces
What other flossing products are accessible for brace-wearers?
I identified three other options and compared them to the floss-threader in terms of their strengths and weaknesses to better understand the gaps that might exist in terms of their accessibility and variety.
Floss Threader
PRO:
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Well-known (highly accessible)
CONS:
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Tedious
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Time-consuming
Superfloss
PRO:
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Faster process than floss threader
CON:
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Still perceived as a tedious task
Floss Picks
PRO:
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Most recommended by brace specialists
CONS:
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Not as accessible
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Expensive​
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Hard to find in stores​
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Waterpik
PROS:
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Easy
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Convenient
CON:
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People don't know how to use it properly
Insight #2
92% of an orthodontist's patients said they would floss more if it was easier
Observation
For this stage, I focused on my immediate surroundings to gather insights. Before even reaching a physical space...
Insight #3
When searching for dentists/orthodontists in the area, none appeared in search results.
How do students, including those who wear braces, meet their dental needs?
To explore this further, I visited two physical spaces: our local pharmacy and our college campus convenience store. I was especially interested in how dental products, especially flossing tools, are displayed, their accessibility, and how visible they are to customers. Below are some key findings from my observations:
Local Pharmacy
Convenience Store
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Dental section as soon as you walk in
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Mostly caters to non-brace wearers
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toothbrushes​
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toothpaste
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mouthwash
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flossing products only for non-brace wearers
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Only product for brace-wearers = wax
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"Is this the only product usually in store for brace-wearers?"​
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"Yes, there is never really a demand for anything else."
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Dental section located in a tiny area at the back of the store alongside stationery, toiletries, medicine, etc.
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Out of toothbrushes​
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Waxed floss (suitable for only non-brace wearers)
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"Do you only sell toothbrushes and this type of floss?" ​
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"Yeah, toothbrushes are always quick to be sold. We've never thought about introducing new types of floss because people rarely buy it."
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User Interviews
I conducted interviews with three Pomona College students who either wore braces at the time or in the past. Through these conversations, I gained insights into their self-care routines and how dental hygiene fits into their daily lives.
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Below are some of the interesting insights I uncovered during these interviews.
I tried the floss threader but it wastes too much time. In terms of opportunity-cost, I use superfloss to save more time.
I've been brushing for so long that it's simply a part of my routine. Flossing is not accustomed to my routine.
Flossing is most definitely the most challenging part of my self-care routine. It's tedious, time-consuming and requires immense patience.
A habit becomes a habit because it feels automatic. For me, flossing is not automatic because you have to put thought into it. Brushing, on the other hand, is automatic.
When I had braces, I didn't care much for flossing. I tried my front teeth and stopped 10 seconds through because it was exasperating.
Define
Based on my user research, in this phase I synthesized key insights to reveal underlying user needs. These insights proved to be instrumental in guiding my design process moving forward.
1. No Dentists/Orthodontists in the Immediate Area
INSIGHT: There is a significant gap in access to dental care within the area
NEED: Expand accessibility options for convenient and timely dental care services in the community
2. "Opportunity-cost" Framework for Flossing-Product Selection
INSIGHT: Users are conscious about the perceived value of flossing products and whether the benefits outweigh the limitations
NEED: Seek transparent, well-informed, and personalized flossing options that align with a user's values and routine
3. Flossing = "Tedious", "Time-Consuming", "Exasperating"
INSIGHT: Users desire flossing solutions that are time-efficient, energy-efficient, and seamlessly intergate into their daily oral routines
NEED: Streamline oral care practices to reduce time and effort required for flossing
4. The (Un)Habitual Nature of Flossing
INSIGHT: Users perceive teeth-brushing as a habit, but flossing is not
NEED: Integrate brushing and flossing experience to foster habitual consistency
Ideate
At this stage, I pivoted my focus to developing solutions for both non-brace and brace-wearers alike.
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This change was driven by my user research, which revealed interesting perceptions—such as flossing’s (un)habitual nature, its opportunity vs. cost framework, and the time and energy it demands—that I hadn’t initially considered.
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Based on these themes, I created two distinct user personas.​​​
A busy, time-conscious college student who prioritizes brushing and neglects flossing
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Needs to perceive flossing as a habitual part of their routine, like brushing.
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But the current flossing products and experiences don’t support habitual consistency.
An opportunity-cost thinker
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Needs a transparent and well-informed dental care experience
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Because what makes their dental routine worthwhile is its alignment with their priorities and whether the benefits outweigh the limitations.
Each persona represents a different set of needs and challenges that act as barriers to consistent flossing.
To explore a wide range of possibilities, I generated 100 ideas tailored to address the specific problems and needs of each persona.
100 ideas for User Persona 1
100 ideas for User Persona 2
Prototype
Focusing on User Persona 1, I designed two products aimed at integrating the brushing and flossing experience to promote habitual consistency.
1
Smart toothbrush and toothpaste holder with a built-in floss dispenser
GOALS:
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Make routine more engaging
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Reduce perceived effort involved in flossing
Bluetooth-Connected Speaker
Automatic Floss Dispenser
Once toothbrush is taken out of holder, floss automatically pulls out
Aromatherapy Diffuser
Scent options
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Calm lavender
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Energizing Mint
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Fruity Sensation
Customizable Lighting
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​Dim - Bright
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Color options
Sketch
To complement this, I developed an app that connects to the smart holder.
2
SmileSync :)
Profile Creator
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Scanner that scans teeth and provides a personalized step-by-step dental routine​
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Schedule-maker based on availability/other priortites
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Reminders for each scheduled dental experience​
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Dashboard
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Progress tracker (schedule been followed?)
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Monthly challenges and prizes to be won​
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Comparison tool page
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Dental products based on cost, effectiveness, and environmental impact
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During Dental Experience
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Media, Scent, and Lighting control for smart holder
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At end of experience, showcases a checklist for all steps
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If users complete, progress tracker on dashboard updated​
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Rough Mockup of SmileSync
Test & Feedback
Using my two prototype ideas, I built a physical prototype of the smart holder with arts and crafts materials, and designed the app interface on key cards.
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I tested these prototypes with three individuals similar to those I interviewed during user research. They interacted with both prototypes simultaneously, simulating a real dental routine. I guided them through the experience, using different key cards to represent various app screens and functions based on their 'button' choices.
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During the sessions, I observed their interactions and noted what worked well, what didn’t, along with new questions and ideas for both prototypes.
Smart holder
What Worked
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Diffuser & Scents
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Interviewees loved the names for the scents and the variety​
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Speaker
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"music makes everything better"​
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Lighting
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Automatic floss dispenser
What Didn't
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Placement of floss dispenser
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Low position - "it would be more effective to place it higher towards the top as if to catch the eye better"
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Uncertainty of whether it could actually promote flossing
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"I love the experience but I could easily take out the floss and throw it away"​
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New Questions
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How can I make users see the floss dispenser as integral and effective in this dental experience?
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​Where is the best, eye-catching position for floss dispenser?​
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Is there any way I can "force" the user to floss?​
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If flossing is done before brushing, would a "lock" on the toothbrush help? (ie. can only pick up toothbrush once floss is pulled and ticked off SmileSync's checklist)​
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New Ideas
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Make product targeted towards children
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If they perceive brushing and flossing as a unified experience/habit early on, more likely to retain behavior later
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Also make it a holder for a phone
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User can see SmileSync's timer more easily​
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Voice Assistance
SmileSync
What Worked
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Schedule planner
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Name of the app
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Color scheme​
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Mascot
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Language
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"casual", "positive", "easy-to-understand"​
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What Didn't
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Teeth scanner
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2 users unsure of how this could work effectively: can't go all the way into mouth; camera's visual clarity
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Potential lengths of routine​
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Checklist for progress tracker
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Users feel it should be automated (by taking out toothbrush and floss, progress automatically recorded​
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New Questions
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If I stick to teeth scanner, how can I improve accuracy & usability
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If not, are there non-invasive methods to capture user's state of teeth?​
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Can we determine a single, optimized, & manageable number of steps in a dental routine?
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How do we make recording progress more automated whilst ensuring user accountability?
New Ideas
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Sync scent being used to color of holder for a more cohesive look
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Expanding music/entertainment options
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To assess teeth, filling out a questionnaire when creating a profile
Next Steps
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Test initial prototypes with more users who share a similar need to help me gain a deeper understanding of each prototype’s strengths and identify areas that may require reworking.​
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Use insights gathered from further testing to iterate and improve both the smart holder and SmileSync prototypes.​
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Investigate which features users find most valuable and explore options for further customization.
Lessons Learned
DESIGN DOESN'T COME FIRST
Empathizing with users and clearly defining the problem and needs are essential steps that inform what product to create. Without this foundation, design efforts risk misaligned solutions.
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FOCUS FUELS INNOVATION
Having a specific user persona, understanding their problems, and addressing their needs makes the design process more manageable and effective, especially within broader realms like personal grooming.
THE FIRST ITERATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING
The initial prototype is rarely the final solution—each iteration offers valuable insights that bring the solution closer to the user's needs.