Somnia empowers users to explore and understand their dreams through guided journaling, cultural symbolism, and AI-driven analysis. It tracks external factors like stress, diet, and sleep patterns to reveal their influence on dreams. The app also fosters connection through a community where users can share and interpret dreams together.
The user needs a dream journal app because they have really interesting dreams and sleep, so when they wake up they want to document it for themselves and not forget any thoughts or ideas they may have had.
Dreaming Trends:
According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, 50% of people report remembering their dreams less than once a week, with the majority of individuals forgetting their dreams shortly after waking up (National Sleep Foundation, 2022)
Research shows that approximately 75% of people experience more vivid dreams when under significant stress or after consuming caffeine, impacting sleep quality and dream recall (Sleep Foundation, 2024).
Sleepers recall dreams about 50 percent of the time during non-REM sleep, also called slow-wave sleep, and about 80 percent of the time during REM sleep. This truly suggests that dreaming is more of a continuum during the entire night of sleep. We are probably not dreaming for only a small portion of the night. (Psychology Today, 2023)
Interest in Dream Analysis:
The demand for digital mental health apps including dream journaling and analysis tools has grown steadily, with 42% of smartphone users seeking apps for self-reflection and mental wellness, a trend that aligns with the rise in personal development and psychological tools (Statista, 2024).
External Factors Impact:
Studies show that stress, caffeine intake, and medication are among the top factors influencing dream content. For instance, caffeine consumption can lead to more fragmented sleep and heightened dreams, while high-stress levels can increase the frequency of nightmares or vivid dreams (American Psychological Association, 2024).
Interviews:
Link to Interviews- People weren’t as interested in seeing what AI could analyze about they’re dreams but they were interested in meanings and cultural symbolism
- People cared about their privacy towards their dreams and how much freedom they had on the app
- A lot of people do not remember their dreams
Sample Drawings:
Link to Sample Drawings- People wanted something that would have a calm color palette and softer typography
- It was important that things weren’t to bright and allowed for use in day and night
- Not so much text to read that people would lose motivation to learn
Dream Recall Enhancement: The Somnia app features advanced prompts and tools designed to help users recall their dreams more vividly upon waking. These tools include reminders to record dreams immediately after waking, as well as an easy-to-use journaling system that encourages users to write down dream details, no matter how fleeting.
Impact of External Factors: Somnia tracks how external factors like stress, caffeine intake, diet, and medication impact sleep and dreams. Users can log daily habits and lifestyle choices to monitor trends and identify correlations between these factors and their dream patterns. This feature helps users understand the broader influences on their subconscious mind and sleep quality.
Cultural Dream Symbolism: The app provides access to a comprehensive database of dream symbolism across various cultures. Users can explore the meanings behind recurring symbols in their dreams, offering a richer, multi-cultural perspective on their subconscious. Somnia also integrates AI-powered suggestions for potential dream interpretations based on the user’s unique experiences and patterns.
AI-Driven Psychoanalysis: Somnia uses AI to offer personalized psychoanalysis of users' dreams, identifying themes, patterns, and recurring symbols. This analysis offers users deeper insights into their emotional and psychological states, with tailored recommendations for personal growth based on dream content.
Community Engagement: The app fosters a sense of community by allowing users to connect with others who share an interest in dream interpretation. Users can exchange insights, interpretations, and experiences in a safe, moderated environment, helping to reduce the sense of isolation that many dream enthusiasts feel.
Design System Used and Rationale: Somnia uses a calming, intuitive design system inspired by soft hues like deep blues and purples to promote a relaxed, reflective user experience. The design prioritizes user-friendly navigation with an emphasis on simplicity and clarity, ensuring that even new users can easily access features like dream journaling, tracking, and community discussion. The interface is optimized for readability and ease of use, with smooth transitions and minimal distractions, creating a conducive environment for introspection and exploration of the subconscious mind.