Pause was a digital wellness hub for healthcare professionals that was derived from the need to take a break from routine work, and high stress level working environments. Through this project, I was able to work closely with my parents who are both in the healthcare sector. Through discomfort mapping and interviews, I discerned that their everyday work routines involved constant pushing, pulling, reaching and lifting which can cause mental and physical strains. Therefore, Pause uses a deep breathing exercise to “slow the heartbeat [down] and lower or stabilize blood pressure”. Pause also encourages stretching which can help “increase the flexibility of specific muscle groups… [thus] reducing traumas to muscle fibers” (Witvrouw et al., 2004). The simple design was intentional to create a humble and easily adaptable object within existing communal spaces such as staff rooms. While references drawn from everyday life, such as crosswalk signal pictograms and signage systems inspired the interaction design to create a sense of familiarity, character and harmony as Naoto Fukasawa would describe this approach as “without thought” (Fukusawa, 2007, p. 6).

The prototype was modelled in Fusion360. It was also created with mixed media including a roll bent aluminum extrusion, transparent acrylic sheet, painted MDF and 3D printed parts. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop were used to place the interface on the prototype.

Dimensions

30 cm x 3 cm

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