In partnership with Bose, our senior capstone team explored how people navigate “sound friction” in shared environments and designed a more context-aware listening experience for everyday life. Through observational research, user interviews, and iterative concept testing, we identified key pain points around balancing immersion with real-world awareness while using headphones. We developed an Ambient Aware Audio feature— a speculative product concept that dynamically adapts audio based on environment, social context, and urgency, helping users stay focused while remaining connected to important cues, conversations, and notifications. This project combined human-centered research, systems thinking, and product design to translate behavioral insights into a forward-looking audio experience.

Spring 2026

• Qualitative User Research

• UX Research & Human Factors Analysis

• Product Strategy

• Design Thinking

• Journey Mapping / Scenario Design

• Concept Testing & Validation

• Stakeholder Presentation

• User Insight Synthesis

• Prototyping & Iterative Design

• Cross-functional Collaboration