Alarm Rug

What needed solving

Traditional alarms are too easy to snooze. Users need a physical barrier between themselves and the snooze button — something that forces them out of bed to start their day intentionally.

research & insights

The best alarm isn't louder — it's one you can't reach from bed.

• Studied morning routine behavior and identified snooze-as-default as the core failure mode.
• Interviewed users about wake-up friction — proximity, habit loops, and the gap between intention and action.
• Researched existing smart alarm products and found most still allow in-bed dismissal.
• Identified the companion app as a critical touchpoint for habit tracking and routine customization.

design process

• Redesigned user flows and interfaces for iOS and Android using Figma and Adobe XD.
• Built interactive prototypes validating the wake-up flow: alarm triggers → user must stand on rug → alarm dismisses.
• Designed the app with a clear hierarchy — time display, status message, and physical action prompt.
• Integrated accessibility best practices to improve engagement and ease of use across platforms.
• Collaborated on embedded C++ functionality for the weight-sensitive rug hardware integration.

design strategy

Make the physical action feel rewarding, not punishing — the app should coach, not scold.

• Used a calming navy + periwinkle palette to reduce morning anxiety while maintaining urgency.
• Designed a three-tab navigation (Home, Alarm, Settings) for minimal cognitive load at 7 AM.
• Made the 'stand on the rug' prompt the single focal point — no distractions, no secondary actions.
• Paired hardware LED feedback with app state changes for a cohesive physical-digital experience.

solution

• Weight-sensitive smart rug with LED indicators and Bluetooth app connectivity.
• Companion mobile app with alarm scheduling, wake-up confirmation, and habit tracking.
• Cross-platform UI with consistent design language across iOS and Android.
• Accessible interaction patterns validated through prototype testing.