Stress is affecting people physically and can actually accelerate aging. By taking regular breaks, stress levels can be decreased, and meditation is an activity that has also been proven to reduce stress. From an initial brainstorming session, the idea of a meditation and breathwork cube was further developed. Parameters that were researched in the usability tests were the size of the cube, icons describing the features, and pace of guiding lights for breathwork.
Two foam board boxes, lo-fi prototypes, were made, solely for evaluating the size. When the size had been determined a 3D-model was printed out to be used for a hi-fi prototype. Icons and text were painted on the box with white acrylic paint and in this state is was tested in usability test. In the usability test, the pace of the lights were tested as well, so that they were in a calming breathing rhythm.
At last, a final prototype was composed. Inside the cube was room for an Arduino Uno board, batteries, an accelerometer to determine the cube's orientation, LED-strips, a vibrating motor, as well as filling objects to adjust the look of the lights and to keep elements in place.
The Breathing Box is presenting different programmes of breathing exercise or meditation on the different faces of the cube. By facing one of the sides upwards, the programme that face describes will be run.
