Haven

A jewelry set that senses and stops panic attacks.

The Challenge:

To design a wearable that redefines how people interact with technology in their daily life.

Project Overview:

This five-week project challenged me to rethink how we interact with technology, leading me to explore anxiety management through wearable devices. My research uncovered key pain points in traditional methods, including delayed relief, lack of discreetness, and the inability to monitor breathing patterns in real time, all factors that make self-regulation during panic attacks particularly difficult.

The Outcome:

A wearable jewelry set that discreetly detects and mitigates panic attacks in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder.

Type:

Industrial Design

Human Factors

3D Visualization

Date:

2024

“In 2019, 301 million people in the world had an anxiety disorder, making anxiety disorders the most common of all mental disorders.”

- World Health Organization

A discreet wearable that identifies and mitigates panic attacks could help to make their unpredictability less frightening.

Concept Development

Sketches & Research

Secondary Research

Understanding Panic Attacks

The Cause of Panic Attacks:

  • Over-breathing: Reduces carbon dioxide, causing dizziness and chest pain from excess oxygen.

  • Hyperventilation: Constricts blood vessels, triggering chest pain.

  • Adrenaline Release: Increases heart rate, causing sharp chest pains that mimic a heart attack.

Common Symptoms:

  • Sweating

  • Rapid breathing

  • Racing heartbeat

  • Fear & constant worry

Regulating Breathing is Key

Primary Research

User interviews were conducted with individuals who have anxiety disorders to understand how they currently manage panic attacks.

of users reported using the box breathing method as their preferred breathing method when dealing with a panic attack.

Ideation & Variations

Concept Development

Originally, I started with the idea of a ring that "breathed" with you, expanding and contracting to help you connect with your body. But as I refined the design, it developed into something more discreet and versatile. The result is a jewelry set that vibrates gently and emits calming light patterns to guide your breathing through a panic attack, helping to regulate your breath as it detects irregularities.

Rough First Design

Concept Development

Through user testing and the first iteration of CAD models, I realized that users preferred a discreet device that doesn’t draw too much attention. This insight led me to refine the design to better align with their needs and expectations.

The Concept

The Haven jewelry set is designed for everyday wear, monitoring breathing and heart rate to help prevent panic attacks. If an attack occurs, the ring lights up to the box-breathing pattern while the pendant vibrates in sync, guiding the wearer’s focus. This coordinated response helps calm and regulate breathing, easing the intensity of the attack.

Discreet and Effective

This wearable set seamlessly integrates into the users everyday wear offering a subtle way to support mental well-being. Equipped with sensors, it monitors breathing and heart rate to detect early signs of a panic attack.

How it works

The ring detects the onset of a panic attack by monitoring heart rate and breathing, emitting blinking patterns to guide box breathing, while the pendant vibrates in sync. Together, they help regulate the user's breathing, promote calmness, and prevent the panic attack from escalating.

The Details

The USB-C compatible case features an attachable loop for easy portability, allowing it to be hooked onto a carabiner or backpack. The ring and pendant charge by magnetically aligning on the base for a secure and efficient connection.