Breathable is a breathing aid designed to help students relax before sleep through gentle movement and light. The handheld object expands and contracts in a calm rhythm, guiding breathing without demanding attention or increasing screen time. The project explores how subtle physical feedback can support wellbeing and behaviour change.
Bachelor project
16 Week Group project
My role
Research, concept development, prototyping, user testing
Project overview
Stress and overthinking often make it hard for students to fall asleep. Breathable explores how a physical, screen-free object can help students calm their body before bed by guiding their breathing.
The project focuses on relaxation rather than tracking, aiming to actively support better sleep quality
The problem
Many students experience frequent sleep problems caused by stress. While sleep apps and trackers are common, they often increase screen time and do not actively help users relax.
Design question
How can we help students relax before sleep in a simple, physical way?
Key insights
Based on literature research, a survey among 49 students, and an expert interview:
- Over 80% of students experience sleep problems weekly
- Stress and overthinking are major causes of poor sleep
- Difficulty falling asleep is the most common issue
- Breathing exercises can calm the nervous system before sleep
- Many people struggle to visualise or maintain a calm breathing rhythm
These insights pointed towards a tangible breathing aid ins
Design direction
I focused on creating an object that:
- Works without screens
- Feels calm and comfortable to hold
- Clearly guides breathing without demanding attention
- Can adapt to different users
Several concepts were explored and compared. User feedback showed that a breathing-focused object felt more effective and less distracting than light-only relaxation concepts.
Final concept: Breathable
Breathable is a handheld, egg-shaped object that guides breathing through slow movement and soft light.
- The object expands during inhalation and contracts during exhalation
- Light fades in and out in the same rhythm
- The motion encourages slower, deeper breathing
- An accompanying app allows users to personalise tempo and light settings
The product is used in bed or on the bedside table shortly before sleeping
Prototyping & testing
A working prototype was built using flexible 3D-printed parts, custom electronics, and simple code.
User testing showed that:
- The object helped users focus on their breathing
- Users felt more relaxed after use
- Movement size and light intensity needed refinement
These findings informed clear directions for improvement.
Reflection
This project strengthened my interest in designing for wellbeing and behaviour change.
I learned how subtle physical feedback can influence mental states, and how important early prototyping and user testing are when designing for calm and comfort.
In a future iteration, I would refine the breathing rhythm, soften the light further, and explore how the product could gradually teach users to breathe calmly without becoming dependent on the object.
Sai Anish N. 