Revolutionizing Intimacy:
A User-Centric Breakthrough
Revolutionizing Intimacy:
A User-Centric Breakthrough
In the journey of my career, just before I become a Product Designer, I ventured into uncharted territory by founding a medical startup focused on designing a groundbreaking device for individuals with disabilities. This endeavor, named Oneg, aimed to provide a technological solution to enable a meaningful reconnection with one's sexuality.
In the journey of my career, just before I become a Product Designer, I ventured into uncharted territory by founding a medical startup focused on designing a groundbreaking device for individuals with disabilities. This endeavor, named Oneg, aimed to provide a technological solution to enable a meaningful reconnection with one's sexuality.
Background
Background
Re-Connecting with the Body
Re-Connecting with the Body
Oneg is not just a device; it's a smart tech solution meticulously crafted to empower people with disabilities to rediscover their sexuality. Unlike traditional sex toys, Oneg transcends conventional boundaries, bypassing the genitals and utilizing the erogenous zones—40 distinct areas of the body that, with stimulation, can bring about sexual pleasure. It serves as a rehabilitation device, offering a transformative experience for individuals facing challenges due to trauma or illness.
Oneg is not just a device; it's a smart tech solution meticulously crafted to empower people with disabilities to rediscover their sexuality. Unlike traditional sex toys, Oneg transcends conventional boundaries, bypassing the genitals and utilizing the erogenous zones—40 distinct areas of the body that, with stimulation, can bring about sexual pleasure. It serves as a rehabilitation device, offering a transformative experience for individuals facing challenges due to trauma or illness.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
The Solo Genesis and Shifting to a Startup
The Solo Genesis and Shifting to a Startup
The inception of the project was a solo venture. I undertook the entire R&D phase—conducting market research, analyzing user insights, defining design limitations, crafting the product strategy, and designing the product.
As the project progressed, a strategic business partner joined me, and together, we pivoted the initiative into a startup.
The inception of the project was a solo venture. I undertook the entire R&D phase—conducting market research, analyzing user insights, defining design limitations, crafting the product strategy, and designing the product.
As the project progressed, a strategic business partner joined me, and together, we pivoted the initiative into a startup.
Problem
Problem
Disabled sexuality is still a Taboo
Disabled sexuality is still a Taboo
Many people, especially those with spinal cord injuries (SCI), face challenges in their intimate lives.
After going through a long rehabilitation process, they are often left to deal with these challenges on their own.
Surprisingly, the topic of sexual well-being is rarely addressed during rehabilitation, leaving individuals without any guidance or support for their changed circumstances. This lack of attention to an important aspect of their lives contributes to a decline in both physical and mental health for many people with SCI.
Many people, especially those with spinal cord injuries (SCI), face challenges in their intimate lives.
After going through a long rehabilitation process, they are often left to deal with these challenges on their own.
Surprisingly, the topic of sexual well-being is rarely addressed during rehabilitation, leaving individuals without any guidance or support for their changed circumstances. This lack of attention to an important aspect of their lives contributes to a decline in both physical and mental health for many people with SCI.
Market research
Market research
Market Void and Key Conclusions
Market Void and Key Conclusions
Extensive market research revealed a striking void—there was no other solution in the market leveraging the erogenous zones like Oneg.
Extensive market research revealed a striking void—there was no other solution in the market leveraging the erogenous zones like Oneg.
Along with that, the research led me to few more key conclusions:
Along with that, the research led me to few more key conclusions:
Most sexual rehabilitation devices are designed for men only and aren't used for pleasure but for function.
Women’s sexual rehabilitation devices are always penetrative and can stimulate
sexual trauma.
The device is always held by hand and doesn't take into consideration the
limitations of people with physical disabilities.
Most sexual rehabilitation devices are designed for men only and aren't used for pleasure but for function.
Women’s sexual rehabilitation devices are always penetrative and can stimulate
sexual trauma.
The device is always held by hand and doesn't take into consideration the
limitations of people with physical disabilities.
User analysis
User analysis
”I had to study my body all over again, I needed the help of a caregiver
for everything. Bursting with hormones, I was Alone.”
”I had to study my body all over again, I needed the help of a caregiver for everything. Bursting with hormones, I was Alone.”
I conducted a comprehensive user research and interviewed dozens of individuals with physical disabilities, revealing critical issues.
I conducted a comprehensive user research and interviewed dozens of individuals with physical disabilities, revealing critical issues.
The findings highlighted key problems:
The findings highlighted key problems:
During hospital rehabilitation, patients are rarely approached by the medical team regarding sexual rehabilitation, leaving them without knowledge or solutions for managing their bodies.
Many individuals with physical limitations have caregivers assisting them with basic tasks, including intimate ones. They prefer to keep the sexual aspect of their lives fully private, excluding caregivers.
Individual preferences vary. People enjoy different erogenous zones and are aroused by different stimuli.
During hospital rehabilitation, patients are rarely approached by the medical team regarding sexual rehabilitation, leaving them without knowledge or solutions for managing their bodies.
Many individuals with physical limitations have caregivers assisting them with basic tasks, including intimate ones. They prefer to keep the sexual aspect of their lives fully private, excluding caregivers.
Individual preferences vary. People enjoy different erogenous zones and are aroused by different stimuli.
Product strategy
Product strategy
Defining Limitations and Crafting a Strategy
Defining Limitations and Crafting a Strategy
Merging insights from market and user research, I outlined the product strategy, navigating the unique challenges of designing a gender-neutral device for people with physical disabilities.
Merging insights from market and user research,
I outlined the product strategy, navigating the unique challenges of designing a gender-neutral device for people with physical disabilities.
These are the limitations and boundaries I set:
These are the limitations and boundaries I set:
The product must be able to be placed on every area of the body, whether flat, concave, or arched.
It needs to be as intimate as possible and work without the help of an external person.
Weight must be under 200 grams; exceeding this limit might pose a life-threatening danger to the user.
Easy and quick removal of the device in case of an emergency, without the need for someone else.
The product must be able to be placed on every area of the body, whether flat, concave, or arched.
It needs to be as intimate as possible and work without the help of an external person.
Weight must be under 200 grams; exceeding this limit might pose a life-threatening danger to the user.
Easy and quick removal of the device in case of an emergency, without the need for someone else.
Design process
Design process
Sketches & Inspiration: Learning from Nature
Sketches & Inspiration: Learning from Nature
Inspiration for the design drew from nature, particularly lizards, frogs, and starfish, which use grip for stability. Initial sketches explored the product strategy within these defined boundaries.
Inspiration for the design drew from nature, particularly lizards, frogs, and starfish, which use grip for stability. Initial sketches explored the product strategy within these defined boundaries.
Sketches & Mockups
Sketches & Mockups
Solution
Solution
An Intimate Revolution
An Intimate Revolution
After iterations and user testing, the final design of Oneg emerged—a solution that tactfully
addressed the needs of users.
After iterations and user testing, the final design of Oneg emerged—a solution that tactfully
addressed the needs of users.
Oneg uses vibration and heat to stimulate the erogenous zones, employing unique algorithms to customize the experience for the user.
A flexible three-armed device, made of medical-grade polymers, adheres to the body and fits everywhere.
It's a voice-controlled device that requires minimal use of hands and enables intimacy at its best.
Oneg uses vibration and heat to stimulate the erogenous zones, employing unique algorithms to customize the experience for the user.
A flexible three-armed device, made of medical-grade polymers, adheres to the body and fits everywhere.
It's a voice-controlled device that requires minimal use of hands and enables intimacy at its best.
Visual design
Visual design
Look & Feel: Design for Intimacy
Look & Feel: Design for Intimacy
The visual design played a crucial role in maintaining the value of intimacy.
The visual design played a crucial role in maintaining the value of intimacy.
Here as well, I set some boundaries:
Here as well, I set some boundaries:
The product must not look like a sleazy sex toy, nor a sex toy at all. It should maintain a discreet appearance so that caregivers and family members, upon seeing or helping to place it, would not understand its purpose.
The users are both men and women, so the colors must be gender-neutral.
There should be no visual medical association with the product; this may create resistance to its use.
The product must not look like a sleazy sex toy, nor a sex toy at all. It should maintain a discreet appearance so that caregivers and family members, upon seeing or helping to place it, would not understand its purpose.
The users are both men and women, so the colors must be gender-neutral.
There should be no visual medical association with the product; this may create resistance to its use.
Colors & Texture
Colors & Texture
Taking in consideration the boundaries, I choose the colors- light and dark turquoise and red, each represents different size. Turquoise was chosen to reflects happiness and Red to reflects desire and excitement.
Although the strong colors, the material transparency and finish gives the device a gentle look that attracts the user to touch and explore it.
Taking in consideration the boundaries, I choose the colors- light and dark turquoise and red, each represents different size. Turquoise was chosen to reflects happiness and Red to reflects desire and excitement.
Although the strong colors, the material transparency and finish gives the device a gentle look that attracts the user to touch and explore it.
Video
Video
Takeaways
Takeaways
Lessons from a Transformative Project
Lessons from a Transformative Project
This project marked my entry into extensive research, turning me into an expert in the realm of erogenous zones and sexual rehabilitation within the Israeli community.
It prompted me to acquire new skills, delving into medical articles, FDA requirements, and refining my work methods.
Despite its closure due to patent issues in 2023, Oneg achieved significant milestones, participating in Impact 8200 accelerator, winning competitions, securing grants, and laying the foundation for my journey as a Product Designer.
This project marked my entry into extensive research, turning me into an expert in the realm of erogenous zones and sexual rehabilitation within the Israeli community.
It prompted me to acquire new skills, delving into medical articles, FDA requirements, and refining my work methods.
Despite its closure due to patent issues in 2023, Oneg achieved significant milestones, participating in Impact 8200 accelerator, winning competitions, securing grants, and laying the foundation for my journey as a Product Designer.
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