Sydney SG
Sydney SG

Otava


Otava is an app concept developed for a design ideation and research class at Pratt Institute. The project prompted students to use in-depth user interviews, competitor research, and design thinking to innovate a new and useful product in an already saturated market.

I used AI to help speed my workflow and create a richly researched presentation (sampled here). The imagery is a mix of AI-generated images and my own digital photography.

"Modern Rhythms" Late last summer, I returned from a camping trip in the Catskills—four days completely disconnected from the digital world. During our trip, time moved according to natural rhythms—meals cooked over the campfire, afternoon hikes, long conversations that stretched into the evening. No notifications, no quick searches, no digital timestamps marking our days. Yet the transition back to connectivity on our drive home felt natural, almost inevitable. Not because we craved our phones, but because they offered genuine utility—discovering local farm stands, optimizing our route, preparing for the week ahead. This seamless shift between disconnected and connected living revealed something fascinating about modern life. Our devices have become less like technology and more like extensions of our problem-solving capabilities. They anticipate our needs, streamline our decisions, and enhance our natural abilities in ways that feel less like dependence and more like partnership. by Sydney SG
Could you spend a day away from your phone? 97% of americans own a cell phone. Amid increasing discussions of school phone bans and workplace digital wellness initiatives, a curious pattern emerges. Digital devices have seamlessly integrated into nearly every American household—97% own at least one—yet our relationship with this technology grows increasingly complex. While we depend on these tools for modern life, most of us harbor a quiet unease about their influence on our daily routines. by Sydney SG
144 - avg. unlocks per day. 4h 30m - avg. time spent per day on phone. 65% of US users sleep with their phones. This tension manifests in surprising ways. Nearly six in ten smartphone users report spending too much time on their devices, even as they readily acknowledge the benefits to their lives. We glance at our screens an average of 144 times daily—roughly every seven waking minutes—and dedicate four and a half hours to their use. Three out of four people describe feeling uncomfortable without their mobile companion nearby, with 65% keeping it within reach even while sleeping. by Sydney SG
NOMOPHOBIA — the fear of being without one's phone. The path forward isn't about disconnecting entirely. Rather, it's about finding balance in a world where 47% of users experience anxiety when their battery drops below 20%, and where terms like "nomophobia" have entered clinical discussions. We're not seeking escape from technology, but rather a more mindful way to integrate it into our lives. by Sydney SG
Minimalist composition featuring the word 'OTAVA' in bold, elegant typography over a textured hillside, set against a muted blue-gray sky to evoke calm and balance. by Sydney SG
Otava is a customizable, AI-powered app designed to help users reduce phone usage by acting as a personal coach. The app provides reminders, goals, and rewards tailored to your unique needs, preferences, and emotional state, empowering you to build a balanced, mindful relationship with your phone. by Sydney SG
Throughout the brand design process, we experimented with many visual interpretations of Otava—infinity symbols to represent endless growth and evolution, renewal symbols to represent the cycle of old to new—but we kept ending up back where we started. We were overcomplicating our approach, and we needed to keep it simple. Otava’s final logotype demonstrates circularity and repetition, with letterforms that suggest change and reversal. We hope that it can act as a reminder that while growth is beautiful, regression is natural, and it doesn’t have to stop us from trying again. by Sydney SG
Five clean and minimalistic app interface screens for Otava, showcasing features like personalized reminders, activity tracking, and insights, all set against a serene blue-gray backdrop with soft typography. by Sydney SG
Sequence of six minimalist smartwatch screens for Otava, featuring screen time metrics, activity prompts like 'Go for a walk!', and motivational achievements, with simple icons and a dark, contrasting color palette. by Sydney SG
Promotional image for Otava featuring a smartphone displaying a calming reminder, 'Take a deep breath,' over a serene mountainous background, paired with the tagline 'AI Powered, Human Centered' on a clean, textured white backdrop. by Sydney SG
Outdoor billboard advertisement for Otava featuring a minimalist smartphone display with the text 'Take a deep breath,' set against a textured white background and framed by urban architecture under a clear sky. by Sydney SG
Triptych of Otava promotional imagery featuring serene moments: a close-up of wildflowers in a field, a smartphone with the message 'Take a deep breath,' and an intimate table setting with phones set aside, all paired with the tagline 'For time well spent.' by Sydney SG
Outdoor display featuring three Otava ads: two showcasing a serene field of wildflowers with the tagline 'For time well spent,' and the center display highlighting a smartphone with the message 'Take a deep breath,' all set in a natural park environment. by Sydney SG