University Thesis Project: Touch Design
My design thesis, as part of my Bachelor’s, focused on a way to aid people with Anxiety Disorder.
After surveying over 200 students, in-person and anonymously online, as well as conducting interviews with licensed psychologists, it was determined that touch was the sensory input that had the most calming effect.
Dozens of textures were tested on a pool of subjects and the most soothing ones were implemented into the designs.
For people who experience anxiety, it’s difficult to find a coping mechanism when in public. By using our sense of touch, we can temporarily distract the mind and find a focus point to help people manage or even avoid anxiety attacks.
Through the survey findings, 10 textures emerged as the most calming. Some examples are displayed below.
On the back of the textures, a non-adhesive substance was applied to a flexible piece of hard plastic which allowed it to adhere to any surface. This provided great adaptability of being able to be anywhere in a time of need.