Crystal Lyn Munson

In collaboration with three designers, I evaluated what knowledge-based work looks like and imagined a better way to work.

The percentage of workers experiencing burnout-related mental health issues doubled in 2021 to 40%. Burnout is related to reduced performance in the workplace and leads to several forms of withdrawal, such as absenteeism and intention to leave the job. The negative impact of burnout extends beyond the workplace; causing health problems, relationship turbulence, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment. Since a person needs to be stable and present to collaborate productively, and it's impossible to be present when you’re burnt out, we proposed the question: “How might we help workers avoid burnout?

Through our research and user interviews, we discovered that users struggle to identify what’s contributing to their burnout and what they can do to change it. We also learned that anxiety and stress are key contributors to burnout.

Nootro is a fidget spinning smart ring that identifies symptoms of burnout and coaches the user to make behavioral changes for better stress management.

The Fed-Hexa Throne is an oversized chair that I constructed out of strictly shipping boxes and hot glue.

How do you design, source materials (during the 2020 Covid lockdown), and build a chair out of cardboard and glue?

Designing a chair is one thing but using cardboard and glue to construct a functional chair with the ability to sustain the weight of the average human is another. For glued cardboard to remain together until it dries, and for months after, the glue needs to be heavy-duty and dry quickly. It also needs a temporary binder that can be removed once the glue dries.

After much experimentation, I discovered that hot glue worked best for the intended outcome and I used clothespins to keep the cardboard together until the glue fully dried. To support the weight of a human, I built hexahedron-shaped stretchers and enclosed them in the chair's cuboid base. Visit my portfolio site to discover more ways I think outside the box!

Acting as project manager and head of the behavioral design team, I collaborated with four other designers on this 8-week speculative design project.

The pandemic took a toll on humanity and left many of us feeling anxious and lonely. These emotions cause an increased stress response in our body and have an adverse affect on humans’ mental health and well-being.

Settling on the island would not only be costly, but it would also disrupt the flourishing ecosystem that can only be found on MS-DOS.

Ecolution is an interactive VR game that uses MS-DOS island to simulate the impacts of global warming. The game implements behavior design methodologies to nudge players toward sustainable living and a healthier state of mind. Is MS-DOS Island a metaphor, or does it actually exist? Visit my portfolio website to find out!