작품의 기능
Schwa is a wearable breathing companion that guides users through anxiety by rhythmically inflating on the chest and/or diaphragm, engaging the body’s somatic intelligence to restore calm when the mind cannot.
영감의 원천
In today’s overstimulated world, many people live with anxiety but lack access to timely, embodied support. I wanted to explore how design could intervene, without asking the anxious mind to “do” anything. Inspired by the therapeutic rhythm of a deep hug, I merged somatic design with pneumatics and material experimentation to create something that works through the body, not against it. Schwa is the result of deep emotional curiosity, engineering intuition, and a belief that design can quietly restore self-agency in moments when we need it most.
작동원리
Schwa is a wearable vest designed to help regulate anxiety through somatic cues. At its core, it uses pneumatic actuation: a series of soft air pockets embedded within the vest gently inflate and deflate against the chest and diaphragm in a calm, rhythmic breathing pattern. This pattern is inspired by the “therapeutic hug” technique, where two bodies synchronize breath through close contact. The inflation is controlled by a compact, low-noise air system powered by a microcontroller. Users activate Schwa by pressing a discreet button. From there, the body instinctively responds, mirroring the slow rise and fall, without needing to mentally engage. The vest is made from skin-friendly, medical-grade TPU, chosen for its flexibility, comfort, and recyclability. Schwa doesn’t require apps, screens, or instructions. It’s a quiet presence, felt, not seen, that allows the body to guide the mind back to calm.
개발 과정
Schwa began with a simple question: how can we embody emotional regulation through physical design? I explored various methods to simulate the calming effect of a therapeutic hug, experimenting with weight, fluid fabrics, shape-memory alloys, and pneumatic actuation. Weight was ruled out for its static pressure and long-term ineffectiveness due to sensory adaptation. Pneumatics emerged as the ideal solution: lightweight, responsive, and capable of rhythmic modulation. Early prototypes were hand-sealed TPU air chambers. They lacked control and finesse. The second round involved segmenting air pockets to better target the diaphragm and chest. I experimented with different TPU grades (medical, matte, transparent), optimized for skin-friendliness, warmth, and weldability. I then designed 2D patterns and refined placement and timing of inflation for somatic impact. Integration of soft circuitry and noise-dampened actuation followed. Iterative user testing helped fine-tune duration, pressure cycles, and the physical interface. Each version got closer to the ideal: a non-invasive, intelligent companion that calms the body through somatic intelligence, without asking the user to "do" anything.
독창성
Schwa offers a radically somatic, non-verbal approach to anxiety regulation. Unlike most solutions that rely on screens, vibrations, or mental engagement, Schwa works through the body. Using soft pneumatic actuation, it mimics calm breathing patterns, tapping into the body’s Somatic Intelligence to gently guide the nervous system back into regulation without conscious effort. It doesn’t alert, buzz, or instruct. Instead, it quietly breathes. Its analog intelligence makes it feel more like a companion than a device. Lightweight, skin-friendly, and fully wearable, Schwa blends into daily life as a discreet presence, activated only when needed.
향후 계획
Next, I plan to refine Schwa’s hardware for long-term wearability, reducing noise, boosting battery life, and enhancing fit for diverse body types. I will continue developing its aesthetic identity, offering variations in color and form to elevate its presence as a socially confident, design-forward object. I’m also exploring app-based activation and the customization of certain physical elements, enabling users to personalize Schwa and build a deeper emotional bond. Research shows that this sense of ownership strengthens attachment, reduces anxiety, and fosters trust, especially in moments when the outer world feels overwhelming.
연결