01 The Abyssal Pod
When you’re deep in thought, ideas can come in rapid, unpredictable bursts - but the modern workplace often works against this natural rhythm. Open offices, notifications, and the constant pull of small tasks interrupt momentum, breaking the fragile state where insight and innovation thrive. More than just a pod that blocks distractions - it is a space that truly supports the flow of thought, where ideas can grow uninterrupted and deep thinking can flourish. The word “abyssal” evokes profound depth and immersion - just like the state of mind it’s designed to foster. It’s a sanctuary for creatives, strategists, analysts, or anyone whose work demands focus, reflection, and mental momentum. By giving users a private, adaptable environment that aligns with the natural rhythm of thought, the Abyssal Pod transforms the challenge of distraction into an opportunity: a place where deep ideas, meaningful insights, and creative breakthroughs can emerge.
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Brief Overview
Problem Statement
HMW Statement
User Research
Market Research
Ideation
Design Direction
Final Product Outcome
Learning Outcomes
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UX Thinking Framework
Design Process
Product Visualization
Hand Sketching
3D Modeling
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SolidWorks
(3D Modeling)AutoCad
(Orthographic Drawings)Procreate (Visual/Graphic Design)
Adobe Photoshop (Photo Editing)
Problem Statement
Designed For Silence, Not Thinking.
Modern office pods are built to block out external noise, creating a quiet environment away from the commotion of open offices. But true focus doesn’t come from silence alone - mental distractions, racing thoughts, and the constant pull of ideas can make it just as hard to concentrate. Current pods fail to account for the internal noise of the mind, leaving users isolated but not necessarily productive. For professionals whose work relies on deep thinking, reflection, or idea momentum, silence is only part of the solution. A functional space must support the flow of thought, not just shield it from the world.
How Might We Statement
How might we create an office pod that not only blocks distractions but actively supports deep thinking, sustained mental momentum, and comfortable engagement for prolonged periods?
My research led me to a few emerging patterns that guided my direction:
User Research | User Interviews
Why Quiet Alone Isn’t Enough.
I conducted user interviews to gain a deeper understanding of how people experience both the physical and cognitive aspects of working and studying, such as posture, comfort, movement, endurance, and time perception. To capture these dimensions clearly, I separated my insights into two sections: the physical experience (posture, comfort, movement, duration) and the cognitive/emotional experience (time perception, focus, mental endurance). I formed my interview questions to be open-ended and contextual, encouraging participants to reflect on real situations, while ensuring a balance between physical and emotional perspectives. After gathering responses, I used an affinity diagram to cluster quotes and patterns, which helped me organize my thoughts, identify connections between discomfort and perception, and prioritize key insights. This process not only revealed recurring challenges but also structured the findings in a way that directly guided my design decisions.
Market Research | Competitor Analysis
Spotting the White Space in Office Pods.
Competitive Positioning Map was used to understand the current office pod market and identify gaps where user needs are not being met. By plotting competitors based on ergonomics & comfort and feature focus (noise-blocking vs. cognitive/deep-thinking support), it becomes clear where most products cluster and where opportunities exist. This type of map allows both design and business teams to see market trends visually, spot white spaces, and justify the strategic positioning of a new concept like the Abyssal Pod.
The map revealed that most existing pods focus primarily on blocking noise and offer minimal to medium ergonomic support. Very few cater to sustained deep thinking or support cognitive flow, even in higher-end models. This exposes a clear white space in the upper-right quadrant—pods that provide premium ergonomics and actively support focus, creativity, and mental momentum. This insight directly informs the Abyssal Pod’s design direction, positioning it as a differentiated solution in the market.
Design Process | Ideation & Concept Development
Early Pod Explorations.
During concept development, multiple sketches were explored to visualize how the Abyssal Pod could support deep thinking, mental momentum, and ergonomic comfort. These sketches focused on different layouts, seating arrangements, surface placements, and spatial configurations to address both cognitive and physical needs. By experimenting with proportions, reach zones, and modular components, the sketches helped refine ideas for privacy, flexibility, and user interaction, providing a foundation for later prototypes that balance functionality with flow.
Design Process | Design Direction
Defining The Evolution Of Office Pods.
The questions in this interview were to uncover the real needs and frustrations of users in current office pods, particularly in relation to deep thinking, sustained focus, and ergonomics. To inform this research, different pods currently available in today’s market were explored to understand their strengths and limitations. Additionally, three professionals were interviewed: Emily, a graphic designer in the creative industry; Raj, a business analyst in finance; and Sofia, a marketing strategist. The goal was not just to understand whether users liked quiet spaces, but how these spaces actually support - or fail to support - their work, workflow, and mental flow.
Key Features
1. Encourage Sustainable Focus: Recognize that too much continuous deep thinking can be mentally exhausting. Design features that promote breaks, timed sessions, or gentle reminders to help users sustain productivity without burnout.
2. Go Beyond Noise Blocking: Create an environment that not only minimizes external distractions but also supports the internal mental processes necessary for problem-solving and creative thinking.
3. Enable Flexibility and Adaptability: Design spaces that accommodate different task types, allowing users to adjust layouts, surfaces, and tools as needed.
Design Process | Final Product Outcome
Why The Abyssal Works.
Current office pods silence the outside world but fail to quiet the chaos within. For professionals engaged in deep thinking, reflection, or idea momentum, productivity requires more than soundproofing — it requires a space that actively nurtures focus. A truly functional pod must not only shield users from noise but also support the natural flow of thought.
Design is never truly finished - there is always room to refine, iterate, and expand. While the Abyssal Pod addresses key challenges in focus, ergonomics, and cognitive support, the next steps would explore deeper integration with digital tools. With more time, an app could be developed to sync users’ thoughts, ideas, and work directly from the pod back to their office desk or share seamlessly with coworkers. This would extend the pod’s functionality beyond a physical space, creating a connected, intelligent environment that supports not only mental flow but collaboration and continuity across the workplace.
Outro