MENOPAUSE & DIGITAL JEWELRY
During this project, we worked in groups to design digital jewelry targeted at women going through menopause. Based on our own research and interviews with women from the target group, we developed a prototype that addresses some of the physical and mental challenges women face during this stage of life.
We approached technology as a creative material. Our solution incorporates “shape-shifting” – a physical movement within the jewelry – and combines aesthetics, functionality, and empathy. The goal was to create a meaningful and sustainable design that brings together technological innovation and personal value for the user.
TARGET GROUP
We identified our target group through both Conzoom data and the requirement that the final product should be aimed at women going through menopause.
We therefore chose women between the ages of 45 and 55 who are either in perimenopause or menopause as our primary target audience.
Click to view a detailed Conzoom target group description.
DESIGN & INSPIRATION
WHO
Women
Between the ages of 45 and 55.
In perimenopause or menopause
WHAT
Sound jewelry in sustainable materiales.
WHY
To help and prevent sleeplessness.
MOODBOARD
We created a moodboard to visually describe our persona.
SKETCHES
Each group member created a range of sketches individually at home. At our next meeting, we presented and discussed each sketch and idea. In the end, we selected 7 potential concepts to explore further. After discussing the technical possibilities with our tech consultants—since the jewelry needed to incorporate shape-shifting and a technological solution—we decided to move forward with the "Moon Necklace."
MORE SKETCHES
We conducted a survey based on our initial idea of designing the piece as a "nighttime jewelry" item. We wanted to find out whether our target group would be interested in wearing jewelry while sleeping—and if so, where on the body it should be placed.
However, we encountered a challenge during this phase, as we had assumed that our target group would be comfortable sleeping with a necklace. The results from our survey showed that 90% of respondents would not want to sleep with a necklace.
As a result, we went back to sketching in order to find a new way to use our intended form.
PROTOTYPES
We tested the size, texture, and closing mechanism to ensure both comfort and functionality.
MOODBOARD FOR OUR JEWELRY
The moodboard for our jewelry highlights the cool colors we associate with the moon. In addition, it reflects the round shapes and soft structures that have inspired our design process.
BRANDNAME
We chose the name Månely to highlight the designers behind the piece, who are Danish. We also wanted to reflect the Nordic aesthetic that emerged in our jewelry moodboard. Additionally, we wanted to emphasize that the piece is intended to support better sleep. “Måne” (moon) refers to the shape, while “ly” evokes a sense of comfort and safety.
After much consideration, we decided to change the function of our jewelry piece so that it would no longer only be a "nighttime jewelry," but instead something worn throughout the day—designed to help reduce stress during daily life.
However, we still wanted it to be easy to use at night in case the wearer wakes up and needs support to fall back asleep. This led us to the idea of creating a charging station that could either hang next to the bed or lie on the nightstand. This way, the jewelry charges overnight while remaining within reach for nighttime use.
To clarify the intention of how it could help, we made a short story describing one day with our persona wearing the jewelry.
Click the button to read the story
THOUGHTS
MÅNELY NECKLACE
Designed with a shape and texture reminiscent of the moon, the Månelys necklace opens by sliding the top half to the side, activating a calming sound to soothe and relax the wearer.
Made in 925 sterling silver.
DESIGNING FOR MEANINGFULNESS
PEOPLE TO SENSE OF SELF
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The better version of yourself.
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Get more energy. Helps you perform better on a day-to-day basis.
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Identity: Helps you to be a person other people care to be around.
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Enhances your productivity, your empathy, and your brain power.
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
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A sisterhood centered around the pendant with a tale of women’s transition into a new era in the female life
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“You are not alone – we are in this together”
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
In our sound jewelry we needed to have all of these technical features for it to work:
Magnets
Sensors
Speaker
Battery
MP3 player
SD card
Sound file
For it to work at night, we also needed to create the decorative charger.
CHARGER
It was intended to be a decorative wall mount that would complement our jewelry piece, which was designed in the shape of a moon. We therefore decided to create the mount in the shape of a cloud.
POS MATERIAL
We created a poster and a folder containing all the necessary information to clearly communicate the meaning and function of the jewelry piece.
GODMORGEN DANMARK
We were invited to appear on the TV show called Godmorgen Danmark to talk about our jewelry piece, as there is a growing focus on women’s health. Our design was highly relevant in this context, as it is specifically created to support women going through menopause who experience sleeping problems.
THE SPECULATIVE UTERUS MODEL
FUTURE
(Speculative, preferable futures)
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The jewelry physiologically makes a difference
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More focus on menopause among general practitioners (to avoid misdiagnosis)
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Greater acceptance from society/environment
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A natural part of life that is openly talked about without awkwardness
CONTEXT
(Behavior, culture, society, political systems, laws)
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Powernap room at workplaces
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You receive a piece of jewelry from the doctor when menopause begins
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Accepted breaks/day off when symptoms are at their peak
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Some education during school years (also to foster understanding for mothers)
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“General acceptance from the surroundings when experiencing sleep deprivation, mood swings, or difficulty concentrating.”
CONCEPT
(Form, function, user scenario)
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"Create calm
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Establish routine
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Better lifestyle and health
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Comfortable to wear
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Aesthetically versatile (for all occasions)
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Alleviates insomnia"
FEELING
(Hopes, concerns, values, ethics)
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"Better/optimal version of oneself
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Preserving one's 'self'
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Release
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Calm
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Finding strength in the time you are entering"
Download
REFLECTIONS
DESIGN
We faced some challenges with our design. I believe this was mainly because we decided on the shape too early in the process. We conducted our survey after we had already chosen the form and defined its purpose. in doing so, we limited ourselves, as we couldn't envision the form as anything other than a necklace.
However, we eventually found a really good solution with the cloud-shaped charger, which fit perfectly with the storytelling - emphasizing that the jewelry should stay close and be able to charge during the night.
PROTOTYPE
We had a clear vision that the jewelry should resemble a moon, including its texture. This gave it a calming quality to the touch, with its soft shape and pleasant surface. It was important to us that the piece would be comfortable to wear — and we believe we successfully achieved that.
We tested several different textures, both in Rhino and by hand. We decided to go with the handmade version, as we felt it resembled the surface of the moon the most.
MATERIALS
We found it very natural to create the piece in 925 sterling silver, as our moodboard and associations linked cool-toned elements with the moon, night, and sleep. Therefore, it was an easy decision for us to choose this material.
PRICE
We didn’t calculate a price for the necklace, as it would have been highly unrealistic to estimate. The design was far from complete, and the current version of the jewelry couldn’t yet contain all the required technology. Therefore, further development would require investors, as producing it independently would be far too expensive.