Design Process for SENS.O.S: A Collection of Wearables for Emotional Support

This paper documents the design process of SENS.O.S., a collection of wearables whose purpose is to offer emotional support to people going through an anxiety crisis. The methodology used is based on the Futures Design Toolkit, which plays a crucial role in shaping the future of design by empowering individuals and enhancing future literacy. In the first phases of the design process, trends and drivers for change were identified, interpreted, and categorized to understand the researched topic. A toolkit called Future Philosophical Pills was adopted to explore future spaces in a playful way. At this point, the project’s aim was identified and the various repercussions, both at an individual and social level, were mapped. To generate contrasting possibilities, a polarity mapping tool was employed to pinpoint scenarios, while a fictional persona of the selected scenario was described to imagine how this actor would look like and how would he interact with the surrounding context. Finally, three wearables were provo-typed, a term coined from the fusion of prototype and provoke: the “Hug and Relief” vest, the “Breathe with Me” raincoat and the “Calming Heartbeat” necklace. The modular vest was inspired by the transformative power of hugging, a gesture of affection and compassion. The lighted raincoat emerged as a supportive tool designed to guide breathing through visual stimulation, while the vibrating necklace searched to replicate the sensation of calm and security experienced when in close contact with another person whose heart rate is calmed. Additionally, the three pieces were made from reused highly polluting materials to reinforce the possibility of a harmonious coexistence between design, health, and environmental practices. The goal of this research, when it reaches its final state, is to explore the benefits of these wearables in mental health and their effectiveness to provide people with tangible tools to ease anxiety and cultivate a greater awareness of themselves.