Memio: Externalizing Memory for Early-Onset Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients

HOW WE DO IT

Conception

The original design of the Memio was inspired by mass-producible tech pieces, which is a style that is a bit challenging to reproduce on a small-scale production. It was intended to be a small device that could clip on to the side of the patients’ glasses. However, Google Glass kept its display in a small corner of the user’s vision, and Memio was intended to cover the entire field of view. Memio was described as “Alexa meets Google Glass” and would combine facial recognition software and other interactive features. The original draft of Memio also included a side attachment similar to a hearing aide in shape. This would allow the device to speak directly into the patient’s ear. However, this was later scrapped and replaced with a small speaker near the ear.

The design changed drastically from the original when the idea of covering the total field of view was implemented. In the new design the device projected from the center of the glasses instead of the side. It also clipped onto the center of the glasses with a spring clip instead of snapping.

Since the device would arrive in the mail, it needed packaging. The packaging would feature a slip cover with space inside for the device and instructions. The design of the packaging evolved to include the logo and space for all the individual pieces.

Finally, the Memio console was created using plastic and polymer clay sanded and buffed to mimic the look of sleek white plastic.The pieces attached are composed of recycled pieces of disassembled tech accessories such as earphones and phone chargers. The Memio glass base is a set of blue-light lenses with a spring clip masked by the console to allow for attachment to an existing set of prescription glasses. The final centerpiece is a composite of the clay and plastic elements, sealed with polyurethane to create a single, unified console. Two buffers on the back of the clip allow for the lenses to rest against their base on an existing set of frames, minimizing movement or displacement of the Memio device and allowing the device to coexist with any set of prescription glasses without impeding the natural movement of the patient.

The logo was designed to reflect the merging of technology with human memory, specifically the temporal lobe, which helps regulate and store memory. The package was created using paper, foam core, and cardstock, and it was a fold top box with a sleeve, inspired by wearable tech pieces such as google glass or the apple watch.

Pre-Production

The pre-production process involved doing a great deal of research, including hearing individual testimonies. Interviews with Marientina Gotsis, Lizzy Hogenson, Gabriela Purri R. Gomes, Kathy Struttmann, Sze Yu "Awu" Chen, and Sergei Gepshtein helped guide the project and inspire the script. Each interview contributed to a different aspect of the Memio device itself and of the short film. Marientina helped with the overall approach to memory and interactivity, Lizzy and Gabi provided insight on how to focus the thesis project on a more specific topic, Kathy shared personal experiences working with Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients, Awu encouraged new perspectives on documenting memories, and Sergei provided critical analysis of the design of the device.

The script was written based on the real life experiences of the Hanisch family. Sections of the script were derived from many conversations that have occurred in real life. The goal of the script was to balance the story and real life experiences with the product itself and a demonstration of its features. The final approach of the film uses the human connection to tell the story of the Memio device.

Assembling the crew involved reaching out to friends, coworkers, and partners from previous projects. Almost all of the crew members attend the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, and every crew member volunteered their time and talent to make the project a reality.
 

Production

The film was shot on a Canon camera in a small home Pasadena with equipment rented from Quasar and Wooden Nickel. The film needed to be completed in one weekend in order to meet the final deadline. The team worked for 2 twelve-hour days to complete the project, battling intermittent rain, the movement of the sun, and the occasional setbacks expected on film sets. Luckily, many of the crew members had worked together on previous projects, allowing them to relax, have fun, and finish the film on time with plenty of footage to choose from.

The team also managed to include a few "Easter Eggs" including "February 7," the anniversary of Don and Cathleen Hanisch, to whom the film is dedicated, as well as a picture of Don and Cathleen on their wedding day.

Post-Production

The film was edited in Adobe Premiere Pro over the course of a few weeks. After the editing was completed, the post-production process involved managing the score, sound design, visual effects, and color grading. The VFX were created in After Effects, the film was colored in DaVinci Resolve, and the sound was designed on ProTools. Each member of the post-production team coordinated with the others to make sure every piece of the film worked together to convey its central message: devices like Memio can use the externalization of memory to give human connections back to dementia patients.
 

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