Skip to content

Alexander Braga

Alexander Braga

2020

I am committed to open-minded creative thinking. I also have a passion for the components of all things design, whether product, interaction or graphic; and I strive to constantly learn and further develop my approach with these design challenges as my compass. As such, I respect the value of the critique, the team and the alternative thinking required - as I develop both new and unique, and more-so, original ideas.

Alexander Braga

I am Alexander Braga.

Nocturnal

Nocturnal is an interactive design solution which utilizes the combination of digital and physical elements to improve sleep quality amongst insomnia sufferers, while understanding and examining user interaction, user constraints and user behaviour.

Insomnia is the number one sleeping disorder worldwide. Current challenges and causes include anxiety, depression, stress, physical pain and psychological trauma within a person, additionally, poor sleep quality correlates to substandard cognitive function both during the day and at night. Nocturnal proposes an in depth study of user interactions, behaviours and physical constraints of adults suffering from insomnia through various data collection methods such as, observational studies, interviews, contextual inquiry and surveys. Detailed analysis of user evaluation is aimed to reduce negative experiences and maximize positive experiences relating to improving overall sleep quality. Ergonomic and human factor evaluation relating to spatial, environmental, physical and cognitive functionality was combined to establish a human interaction design solution - Nocturnal. While assisting the user both physically and cognitively to achieve deep relaxation, Nocturnal aims to improve sleep quality amongst adults suffering from insomnia.

Nocturnal banner

Nocturnal animation

Thesis Summary Video Award Submission

Welcome to the world of Nocturnal.

Nocturnal - CAD animation

CAD Animation

Exploded view and features of Nocturnal.

Nocturnal - Final Model

Physical Model

Detailing of the physical model.

Meeting the Four Thesis Pillars for Design Excellence

Enhancement of Human Lifestyle

Nocturnal is an interactive design solution to improve sleep quality for insomniacs by assisting the user physically and cognitively. Nocturnal utilizes the use of natural materials for sustainability, a dynamic sleeping guide through the use of artificial intelligence and possesses beautiful design elements to create a revolutionary sleeping experience.

Human-Interaction Design

Voice recognition technology allows for voice commands and responses to communicate directly to Nocturnal. As Nocturnal communicates with the user, complete interaction within the haptic sensory located in the mattress and underlay is present through visual and touch feedback between the user and Nocturnal.

The OLED uses rollable/flexible technology to surround the bed, once the user is settled and is able to recognize and interpret movements of the human body to react to the users’ needs without direct physical contact. Nocturnal uses haptic sensory embedded inside the mattress and underlay which provides ultimate comfort to the user and fully immerses them into a brand new sleeping experience. As the environment changes through the OLED screen hovering above the bed, so does the haptic sensory to ease the user into deep relaxation through visual, auditory and touch sensations.

Read More  

Human Factors and Ergonomics

A simple hand motion or voice commands opens the bed which runs along a linear moving track system located on the second half of the frame. This allows for access and accommodates a more relaxed seating position upon entrance.

Capacitive proximity sensors behind the surface of the mattress recognize the human body. In which then activates the mattress to react and shape through stretchable multilayer surface material to accommodate any contour of the body when entering the bed.

Read More  

Sustainability

The dynamic Nocturnal experience aims to improve sleep quality for insomniacs while equipped with sustainable materials for the future. The technology embedded within Nocturnal and the use of artificial intelligence are being explored and implemented in the way we are living today, with progressive advancements being discovered frequently.

The implementation of A.I can have substantial benefits when used in the correct context. The potential to move users away from anxiety and stress can be achieved by using technology for beneficial purposes. In combination with the integration of Nocturnal’s A.I sleeping guide, the material choices for overall form of Nocturnal achieve longevity, very minimal wasted material, and a small economical foot print. By combining sustainability and interactive design, Nocturnal provides the user with all the support they need to aid them into deep relaxation and fall asleep.

Read More  

Improving Sleep Quality for Insomniacs

Alexander Braga

Improving Sleep Quality for Insomniacs

medicalhealth

Metropolitan Parcel Distribution

Evan Demczuk

Metropolitan Parcel Distribution

automotivetransportation

Accessibility in River Rapid Rides

Chadwick Dewey

Accessibility in River Rapid Rides

recreation

Improving Comfort for Female Trekkers

Hannah Fenton

Improving Comfort for Female Trekkers

recreation

SAGO - Portable Tree Delimber

Blake Gosse

SAGO - Portable Tree Delimber

commercial

Mobility Aid for Lower-Limb Amputees

Jack Marcisz

Mobility Aid for Lower-Limb Amputees

medicalhealth

Light Therapy for Gestational Hypertension

Maria Martinez Ardila

Light Therapy for Gestational Hypertension

medicalhealth

Alleviating Firefighter Heat Stress

Kolton McConkey

Alleviating Firefighter Heat Stress

medicalhealth

Mobile Workstation for PLC Programmers

Sandra Moros

Mobile Workstation for PLC Programmers

commercial

Improving Training for Young Ski Racers

Lindsey Moscoe

Improving Training for Young Ski Racers

recreation

Human-Centric Environment for SAT Diving

Olivia Naccarato

Human-Centric Environment for SAT Diving

commercial

Efficient Training for Professional Pitchers

Alec Paprocki

Efficient Training for Professional Pitchers

recreation

Mitigating Occupational Hazards in Mining

Sean Platek

Mitigating Occupational Hazards in Mining

commercial

RAY: Retrieval Assistance for Overboard Incidents

Nicholas Praticante

RAY: Retrieval Assistance for Overboard Incidents

medicalhealth

Modular Recreational Fishing Platform

April Seekumar

Modular Recreational Fishing Platform

recreation

Amphibious Arctic Research Station

Dylan Torraville

Amphibious Arctic Research Station

automotivetransportation

Raizex in Use

Jonathan Ulloa

Raizex in Use

commercial