Introducing...
Intimacy in long-term relationships
It can be considered common knowledge that over the duration of a long-term relationship the once so vibrant passion between romantic partners often settles down to a more stable, monotonous intimate relationship. This often results in a discrepancy in sexual and intimate desire between partners, leaving at least one of them sexually unsatisfied. But, how can we bring intimacy back into these relationships? That is the question my Masters Graduation Project was based on. This project was executed individually from September 2021 until March 2022, on behalf of a sex tech company which wants to remain anonymous.
The Ignite - A sensual massage tool integrated with a mood light in the bedroom
The Ignite massager on its charging station, mood light switched on
The process
Design goal
After extensive literature research, desk research and field research into sexuality and intimacy in long-term relationships, the following design goal was formulated. The design goal functions as the core of the design process, giving it structure and a means to evaluate decisions and outcomes.
“To come up with a viable concept that is meant to allow long-term couples get intimate in a way that does not cause the feeling of pressure that any kind of sexual activity should be a follow up step. The concept focuses on helping couples to relax together mentally as well as physically, to inspire them to explore a new way of intimacy. This should be done by means of a physical product which fits the brand portfolio.”
Instruction video massage
Context mapping
A context mapping study was conducted with six heterosexual couples in long-term relationships (at least two years of cohabiting and/or marriage) to explore the solution space by answering the question: “What product or activity or a combination thereof can help couples get in the mood for intimate activity, when they are typically not aroused?” The results of the study showed that body massage, in combination with creating an ambience were for a multitude of reasons the most effective elements to achieve this goal. Therefore making and taking time together, creating an ambience and physical touch through massage are the fundaments for the concept: the Ignite.
The video on the left shows one of the tasks the participants were asked to execute: Massage your partner following the instructions shown in the video, using the massage tools provided.
From insights to ideas
The ideation phase was kicked off by summarizing all previous findings into a solid program of requirements and wishes. Brainstorming functionalities, shapes and interactions followed by multiple iteration cycles eventually lead to the final design. Brainstorming activities included sketching, interaction prototyping, clay modeling, 3D modeling and printing and an ongoing evaluation with stakeholders.
First brainstorm sketches, pen on paper
Clay modeling and evaluating
Ideating
This is the Ignite
The Ignite is categorized as a “sense toy” instead of a sex toy. It is a metal couples massager which is able to warm up and vibrate, in combination with a mood light which is integrated in the charging station. Because it is a mood light, the Ignite is continuously visible in the bedroom, in either its discrete (when the massager is hidden inside) or its non-discrete (where the massager is displayed) state. It is meant to inspire couples to take time for explorative physical intimacy, without the pressure of having to have genital focused sex. This is meant to familiarize long-term couples with new ways of intimacy. The following video shows the envisioned story of Ignite.
The story of Ignite (Filming & editing done by Myron Wouts)
Storyboard of Ignite as a date planner
The Ignite is based on two different use scenarios: A ‘spontaneous’ scenario, and a ‘planned’ scenario. In the spontaneous scenario a couple (or one partner) decides to use the Ignite in the moment. An example is visible in the video (The story of Ignite), where one partner feels stressed and the other partner decides to help their partner relax, leading to a nice and intimate moment for the both of them. In the planned scenario, both partners together decide to plan a date night using the Ignite, so they can look forward to that moment and do not have to rely on intimacy and arousal to occur spontaneously. The following storyboard illustrates this planned scenario.
Couple waking up
Deciding to plan a date using Ignite
Schedule a date together
Having dinner and a wine at the scheduled date
Ignite app sends a notification
Opening the Ignite, light starts glowing for warmth indication
As the Ignite prepares, couple engages in a tantric hug
Partners massage each other using the warm massage tool
Couple feels satisfied after having been intimate
The Ignite prototype
To get a real sense of the touch and feel of the Ignite, a prototype was created. Just the light of the prototype was functional, the massager itself was not able to either vibrate or heat up, due to time and project scope limitations. However, the massager functioned well even without those features, making it an interesting object for physical evaluation. The massager was created by 3D printing the model, sanding it and finishing it with a glossy chrome spray paint.
Ignite massager sanded
Ignite massager spray painted with high gloss finish
The charging station was created by laser cutting the different parts, gluing them together and finishing the whole with a dark wood varnish. The flipping lid was created by two hinges, neodymium magnets and a counter weight. When pressing the lid on one side, the magnets and the counter weight caused the lid to flip smoothly and evenly, until it reached a horizontal state again.
Neodymium magnet in lid
Neodymium magnets in holder
Construction flipping lid
The light tube was created by programming an LED-strip, making sure the tube would slowly fill up with light upon pressing a button. The strip was then places inside the tube, which was then attached to the charging station.
The Ignite in discrete state - Counter weight is visible
The Ignite in its displayed state - Tube is gradually filling with warm light
Design goal evaluation
The Ignite has been evaluated in multiple ways in terms of desirability, viability and feasibility. Concluded is that the design goal has been achieved, for as far as the research done within the time frame of this project can tell. Further research should be conducted in order to optimize the concept technically. Mainly the context mapping study, in combination with the participants’ evaluation of the Ignite showed how promising the concept is. Five out of five were positive towards the concept, and all also believed that the Ignite would cause them to integrate massage more in their intimate life because of its constant presence in the bedroom. Therefore the overall conclusion is that the Ignite has a positive influence on the intimate life of people in long-term relationships.
“This is the improved, sexy, intimate and good version of a standard massage tool for partners” - Anne Siemons, sexologist
“The mood light really adds another dimension. Lighting highly influences the mood. I want dimmed lights when I think of massage” - Man who received a massage, 24 years old
UPDATE
The Ignite is currently on display at the Design Museum in Den Bosch, the Netherlands. It is part of the exposition "Ontworpen Liefde", or "Designed Love" in English. You can visit the exposition until February 18, 2024.
