The cutest users around.
INTRODUCTION
What is H2-Meow?
H2-Meow is a user experience that is meant to center some of the cutest users around, cats! The project contains a research-based background that goes on to inform design concepts for a cat fountain, an accompanying app, and a logo.
Purpose
This project is a senior undergraduate capstone project that is being completed at the end of my college career. It is meant to explore the design process in a unique way, as in most user experience courses, we learn to center the person, but what if someone besides a human was being centered?
RESEARCH
Academic Articles
Title: Investigation of the effect of water temperature on water consumption of cats
Authors: Zeynep Aruç Tatlıağız, İbrahim Akyazı
Institution: Journal of Istanbul Veterınary Scıences
Title: Feeding and drinking behavior
Author: Diane Frank
Institution: University of Montreal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (CHUV), Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
Title: Water consumption of cats (Felis catus)
Author: Faria Alipourmazandarani
Institution: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU
Title: Quantified water intake in laboratory cats from still, free-falling and circulating water bowls, and its effects on selected urinary parameters
Authors: Michael T. Robbins, Martha G. Clin, Joseph W. Bartges, Erin Felty, Korinn E. Saker, Richard Bastian and Angela L. Witze
Institution: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Interviews
Total Participants: 4
Total Cats: 5
Total Questions: 19
Disclosed Responses:
SYNTHESIS
Says
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“Her favorite snack is plastic”
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“I rarely see her drink water”
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“She is more inclined to the sound of the water”
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“I have considered adding another water bowl”
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“If the water source is not considered safe then she [cat] will not drink from it”
Thinks
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Thinks that cat is getting enough water but is not sure
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Does not believe that there is any reason to try any methods of giving water if the current one works
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Even though she cannot see her cat drink the water, she believes the cat is getting enough
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Is mindful about the cat’s environment and stimuli
Does
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Gives cats wet food in order to maintain moisture intake
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Keeps water and food bowl out of general line of sight
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Give cats multiple places to drink water
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Has experiment with different types of water presentations to get the right ones
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Avoids observing cat to keep them drinking water (cat is skittish)
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Puts ice in outdoor water bowl to cool down water
Feels
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Content with how much water her cat is getting
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Feels as thought the cat’s habits are ok
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Is sometimes worried about water/moisture intake due to past health issues
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Content with the way the water is presented
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Is unsure if cat is getting water since they never see her drink any water
Insights
Observation #1
Cats are more inclined to drink cooler/cold water
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“In conclusion, cooling the water resulted with an increase in the water consumption in cats.” - Article 1 (Tatlıağız)
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“If he is in hot weather on the patio, ice water is provided.” - Participant One
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“Our findings suggest that cats preferred to consume cooled water in parallel with the role of temperature in the differentiation of taste sensation.” - Article 1 (Tatlıağız)
Observation #2
Water bowls are kept away in some capacity
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“Keeps water and food bowl out of general line of sight” - Participant Two
Owners do not see their cats drink water
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"Rarely sees her drink water, bowls are hidden from general sight.” - Participant Two
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“Has never seen Strawberry drink water.” - Participant Four
Cats do not like to be observed
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“I rarely see her drink water” - Participant Two
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“Not sure on Strawberry [receiving enough hydration]” - Participant Four
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“Avoids observing cat to keep them drinking water” - Participant One
Observation #3
There is no preferred method for cat water bowls
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“Studies show that the choice of water bowls does not change water intake significantly but there are individual preferences.” - Article Two (Frank)
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“For 12 remaining cats, intake was slightly greater from the fountain but urine osmolality was not significantly different. The fountain did not substantially increase water intake nor did it dilute urine. Ten of the 12 owners believed that their cat liked the fountain, one owner was unsure, and one felt their cat did not like the fountain (Grant, 2010)” - Article Two (Frank)
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“Overall, water bowl type had no appreciable effect on water intake in healthy cats.” -Article Two (Frank)
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“The implication of this is unknown, considering water intake did not differ significantly between bowls.” - Article Two (Robbins et al.)
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“The results from the current study reveal that healthy adult cats do not show a preference towards one specific style of water bowl overall, as determined by water intake, which is similar to previous studies.” -Article Two (Robbins et al.)
Articles state that there is no statistical difference/significance in any type of water bowl.
*Note: Participant Three’s cat uses a fountain, all other participant cats use stillwater
In some cases, some cats prefer fountains as it mimics running water in nature
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“She is more inclined to the sound of the water” - Participant Three
SKETCHES
Logo Sketches
Inspired by cat ears, water droplets, and water molecules
App Wireframes
The main screens of the accompanying app
FINAL DESIGNS
Final Logo
Final Wireframes
Product Concept
