prana

stay grounded

Fusion 360, Adobe Creative Suite

Programs

Instructors

Dr. Stuart McFarlane, Ana Davila

Project Type

Industrial Design

Duration

3 Months, 2022

“How might designers engage in calm technology to create a more tranquil atmosphere in daily life?”

The Problem

The evolution of computing has resulted in an intrusive relationship between humanity and technology. Computers are ingrained in virtually every life aspect. The presence of the internet and its interconnection exacerbates this by delivering excessive notifications that demand instant attention.

Therefore, it is crucial to retreat from attention-seeking products and to shift towards designing with calm technology where individuals remain in control. The design opportunity to be explored is producing breathwork and mindfulness products to minimise anxiety and stress.

What is calm technology?

Calm technology notifies individuals without overloading them by travelling seamlessly from the periphery of our attention and into the centre.

Design Process

01 Define

Literature Reviews, 5Ws 1H

02 Design Proposal

Storyboards

03 Form Design

Mock-ups, CAD, Vacuum Mould

04 Tech Design

Arduino, Coding, Soldering, Assembly

05 Outcome

CAD Visuals, Working Prototype

01

Design Proposal

Literature Reviews

5Ws 1H

As device-guided breathing can be effective in alleviating anxiety (Ovadia-Blechman, Zehava, et al., 2022), the project aims to design a breathwork device that can be used in the home or workplace. It could encourage individuals to do a breathing exercise by gradually glowing at a set time.

The “4-7-8” breathing technique, developed by American physicist Weil A, is a breathing pattern known to reduce anxiety and promote better sleep (Russo et al., 2017, in Vierra, Boonla & Prasertsr, 2022 ). The device can utilise light to glow and fade with this pattern where one inhales for a count of 4, holds for 7 and exhales for 8. Users breathe with the rhythm, slowing their heart rate. This is brainwave entrainment, where the brain synchronises with the rhythm of a stimulus (Healthline, 2020).

02

Define

Storyboards

Storyboarding was used to demonstrate how the device can be integrated into daily life.

03

Form Design

Sketch & Mockups

Vacuum Mould

CAD & 3D Printing

The form, resembling a cat paw, is a handrest whilst the cushions consist of LED lights. When a hand is placed on top, it resembles holding the paw “hand in hand”, considered a human act of assurance. Feedback from tutors enabled further abstraction with pebbles forms to enable inclusivity.

The materiality is opaque acrylic for the base, coated with fabric (felt) as it is soft and warm to the touch. White was chosen for the lights to symbolise purity (Adobe, 2022). The grey fabric represents neutrality and balance (Ferreira, 2019).

04

Tech Design

Low - Mid Fidelity Wireframing

Tech design includes electronic configuration, using Arduino to debug and integrate codes to achieve the desired lighting cycle, testing tech with the form prototype, soldering and assembly. The circuit lights up four LED lights sequentially with respective to 4-7-8 breathing.

05

Design Outcome

Working Prototype

CAD Visuals

Prana, derived from “pranayama” yogic breathing, means “life force”. Prana reminds one to do a breathwork exercise without being intrusive by illuminating slow, gradual light pulses. They remain in the periphery of the user’s attention, allowing the user to decide when to act. Breathwork and mindfulness have a parallel philosophy with calm tech, which is to stay in the present moment. It also facilitates guided breathing practice without a screen, giving users the upper hand with technology.