System Requirements Document (SRD)

Project Name: sonic-design

1. Introduction

The sonic-design project is a web-based platform dedicated to promoting wellness through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Inspired by the user’s vision to create a better version of xiatcm.net, this project aims to provide an engaging, educational, and functional experience for users seeking knowledge and services related to TCM. By combining modern design principles with the rich heritage of TCM, sonic-design will serve as a hub for wellness enthusiasts, practitioners, and curious learners alike.

This document outlines the updated system requirements to ensure the platform meets its goals effectively.

2. System Overview

The sonic-design platform will focus on delivering high-quality content, interactive features, and seamless functionality to users interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The system will include:

• A visually appealing and culturally resonant design inspired by TCM aesthetics.
• Educational resources such as articles, guides, and videos.
• Tools for appointment booking with TCM practitioners.
• An online store for TCM-related products (e.g., herbal remedies, wellness tools).
• Community features like forums or Q&A sections for user engagement.
• Accessibility and responsiveness across devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).

The platform will prioritize user experience, cultural authenticity, and ease of navigation to ensure users can effortlessly access the information and services they need.

3. Functional Requirements

User Stories

• As a User, I should be able to browse educational content about TCM, including articles, guides, and videos.
• As a User, I should be able to book appointments with TCM practitioners directly through the platform.
• As a User, I should be able to purchase TCM-related products from an integrated online store.
• As a User, I should be able to search for specific topics or products using a search bar.
• As a User, I should be able to participate in community discussions via forums or Q&A sections.
• As an Admin, I should be able to manage content, including adding, editing, and deleting articles and guides.
• As an Admin, I should be able to manage practitioner profiles and appointment schedules.
• As an Admin, I should be able to manage inventory and orders in the online store.
• As a Guest, I should be able to explore basic content without needing to log in.
• As a Guest, I should be able to sign up for an account to access advanced features like booking and forums.

4. User Personas

1. User

• Description: Individuals interested in learning about TCM or seeking wellness solutions.
• Needs: Access to educational content, ability to book appointments, and purchase products.

2. Admin

• Description: Platform managers responsible for maintaining content, practitioner schedules, and store inventory.
• Needs: Tools to manage content, appointments, and product listings efficiently.

3. Guest

• Description: Visitors exploring the platform without an account.
• Needs: Ability to browse basic content and sign up for advanced features.

5. Visuals Colors and Theme

Color Palette

The color palette for sonic-design will reflect the natural and harmonious essence of TCM:

• Background: #F9F5E9 (Soft Beige)
• Surface: #E6D5B8 (Warm Sand)
• Text: #4A3C31 (Earthy Brown)
• Accent: #A85C5C (Herbal Red)
• Muted Tones: #B8AFA3 (Calm Gray)

This palette is designed to evoke feelings of wellness, balance, and connection to nature.

6. Signature Design Concept

Concept: Interactive Herbal Garden Homepage

The homepage will feature an interactive herbal garden where users can explore various plants and herbs used in TCM.

• Visuals: A lush, animated garden with clickable plants. Each plant reveals its medicinal properties, uses, and related articles/products.
• Animations: Subtle movements of leaves and flowers in response to user interaction, creating a calming and immersive experience.
• Transitions: Smooth fade-ins and hover effects for plant details.
• Micro-interactions: Clicking a plant opens a modal with detailed information, links to related content, and an option to purchase products.
• Color Shifts: The garden’s colors subtly change based on the time of day (e.g., warm tones in the morning, cooler tones at night).

This concept will make the homepage unforgettable, engaging, and deeply tied to the theme of TCM and wellness.

7. Non-Functional Requirements

• The platform must be accessible and responsive across all devices.
• The system must support high traffic without performance degradation.
• The website must comply with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1).
• The platform must ensure secure transactions for the online store.
• The system must provide multilingual support, starting with English and Mandarin.

8. Tech Stack

Frontend

• React for Web

Backend

• Python
• FastAPI

Database

• MySQL for relational data (e.g., user accounts, appointments).
• MongoDB for non-relational data (e.g., articles, guides).

AI Models

• GPT 5.4 for user-friendly responses in forums and Q&A sections.
• Google Nano Banana for generating herbal illustrations.

AI Tools

• Langchain for content recommendation systems.

Local Orchestration

• Docker
• docker-compose

Server-Side Orchestration

• Kubernetes

9. Assumptions and Constraints

Assumptions

• Users are primarily based in the US and familiar with TCM concepts.
• The platform will initially launch in English, with Mandarin as the next supported language.
• Users will expect seamless integration of educational content, appointment booking, and e-commerce.

Constraints

• Budget limitations may restrict the scope of initial AI integrations.
• The platform must comply with US regulations for online transactions and healthcare-related services.

10. Glossary

• TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine, a holistic approach to health and wellness.
• Modal: A pop-up window that overlays the main content to display additional information.
• WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, standards for making web content accessible.
• Multilingual Support: The ability of the platform to display content in multiple languages.