PULSE.
I framed the need for a screen-free meditation aid and turned it into PULSE, a palm-sized breathing guide. My role covered ergonomic form studies around the Dhyana Mudra grip and successive CAD iterations to achieve a hand-nestling geometry; detailing the internal stack of twin LRAs, micro-controller, USB-C battery, and fasteners in an exploded view and drawings; exploring four CMF directions—gloss plastic, walnut, stone, brass—for distinct emotional cues via high-fidelity renders; and fabricating 3D-printed appearance prototypes to validate hand-feel and refine details ahead of functional builds.
May 6, 2025
CLIENT
ARTD 302
CLIENT
ARTD 302
CLIENT
ARTD 302
Role
Solo
Role
Solo
Role
Solo
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
Service
Industrial Design | Product Design
Opportunity
Opportunity
Opportunity
IN A WORLD FULL OF SCREENS, NOTIFICATIONS, AND ENDLESS STIMULI, MEDITATION HAS BECOME HARDER THAN EVER.
I know this from firsthand experience. I come from a very spiritual and religious family, where my grandparents and parents often engaged in meditation and chanting. I’ve tried to develop a meditation practice, but I’ve struggled to make it a consistent habit. I’ve always wanted to find a way to start meditating and feel more spiritually connected to both myself and my family, but I haven’t been able to do so.
IN A WORLD FULL OF SCREENS, NOTIFICATIONS, AND ENDLESS STIMULI, MEDITATION HAS BECOME HARDER THAN EVER.
I know this from firsthand experience. I come from a very spiritual and religious family, where my grandparents and parents often engaged in meditation and chanting. I’ve tried to develop a meditation practice, but I’ve struggled to make it a consistent habit. I’ve always wanted to find a way to start meditating and feel more spiritually connected to both myself and my family, but I haven’t been able to do so.
IN A WORLD FULL OF SCREENS, NOTIFICATIONS, AND ENDLESS STIMULI, MEDITATION HAS BECOME HARDER THAN EVER.
I know this from firsthand experience. I come from a very spiritual and religious family, where my grandparents and parents often engaged in meditation and chanting. I’ve tried to develop a meditation practice, but I’ve struggled to make it a consistent habit. I’ve always wanted to find a way to start meditating and feel more spiritually connected to both myself and my family, but I haven’t been able to do so.
Research Insights
Research Insights
Research Insights
Users want a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect while meditating.
Users told us three things: No screens—visual prompts break focus. Dhyana Mudra grip feels most natural for a hand-held aid. Wood reads as the calmest, most inviting material.
Users want a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect while meditating.
Users told us three things: No screens—visual prompts break focus. Dhyana Mudra grip feels most natural for a hand-held aid. Wood reads as the calmest, most inviting material.
Users want a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect while meditating.
Users told us three things: No screens—visual prompts break focus. Dhyana Mudra grip feels most natural for a hand-held aid. Wood reads as the calmest, most inviting material.
Concept Exploration
Concept Exploration
Concept Exploration
I explored simple, palm first forms to invite a relaxed grip.
I sketched and modeled many palm-sized volumes to find a relaxed grip with fingers resting rather than pinching. Spherical and pebble forms worked best around 55 to 60 millimeters. A simple one button layout emerged to keep the ritual frictionless.
I explored simple, palm first forms to invite a relaxed grip.
I sketched and modeled many palm-sized volumes to find a relaxed grip with fingers resting rather than pinching. Spherical and pebble forms worked best around 55 to 60 millimeters. A simple one button layout emerged to keep the ritual frictionless.
I explored simple, palm first forms to invite a relaxed grip.
I sketched and modeled many palm-sized volumes to find a relaxed grip with fingers resting rather than pinching. Spherical and pebble forms worked best around 55 to 60 millimeters. A simple one button layout emerged to keep the ritual frictionless.
CAD Decisions
CAD Decisions
CAD Decisions
The shell and core were engineered around a protected haptic cavity and clean assembly.
I built the orb in CAD with room for a haptic module and battery. The parting line hides in the palm and creates a natural thumb landing. I reserved space for a USB C port and used simple fasteners for serviceable assembly.
The shell and core were engineered around a protected haptic cavity and clean assembly.
I built the orb in CAD with room for a haptic module and battery. The parting line hides in the palm and creates a natural thumb landing. I reserved space for a USB C port and used simple fasteners for serviceable assembly.
The shell and core were engineered around a protected haptic cavity and clean assembly.
I built the orb in CAD with room for a haptic module and battery. The parting line hides in the palm and creates a natural thumb landing. I reserved space for a USB C port and used simple fasteners for serviceable assembly.
Prototyping & Testing
Prototyping & Testing
Prototyping & Testing
CAD to print and cut, hands to judge the form.
I turned sketch directions into Fusion 360 volumes and varied diameter, thickness, and edge radius to dial in comfort. I 3D-printed and CNC'd 8 models to test the fit, how it complements the Dhyana Mudra grip, and overall form aesthetic. Fast trials pointed to a softer edge, a bit more mass in the core, and a deeper valley where the thumbs sit.
CAD to print and cut, hands to judge the form.
I turned sketch directions into Fusion 360 volumes and varied diameter, thickness, and edge radius to dial in comfort. I 3D-printed and CNC'd 8 models to test the fit, how it complements the Dhyana Mudra grip, and overall form aesthetic. Fast trials pointed to a softer edge, a bit more mass in the core, and a deeper valley where the thumbs sit.
CAD to print and cut, hands to judge the form.
I turned sketch directions into Fusion 360 volumes and varied diameter, thickness, and edge radius to dial in comfort. I 3D-printed and CNC'd 8 models to test the fit, how it complements the Dhyana Mudra grip, and overall form aesthetic. Fast trials pointed to a softer edge, a bit more mass in the core, and a deeper valley where the thumbs sit.
Final Design / CMF
Final Design / CMF
Final Design / CMF
A quiet orb with one button and heartbeat-like pulses.
The form nests in the palm and starts instantly. After sanding and oiling, the warm wood body read calm and reduced visual noise. Edges were softened and the seam was sanded over so the form feels continuous.
A quiet orb with one button and heartbeat-like pulses.
The form nests in the palm and starts instantly. After sanding and oiling, the warm wood body read calm and reduced visual noise. Edges were softened and the seam was sanded over so the form feels continuous.
A quiet orb with one button and heartbeat-like pulses.
The form nests in the palm and starts instantly. After sanding and oiling, the warm wood body read calm and reduced visual noise. Edges were softened and the seam was sanded over so the form feels continuous.
Outcome / Impact
Outcome / Impact
Outcome / Impact
The work sharpened the story and defined a path to pilot testing.
The project moved from a broad idea to a clear product and experience. Reviewers responded to the honesty of the form, spiritual story, and the grounding of the weight. Next steps are integrating electronics and running a structured trial.
The work sharpened the story and defined a path to pilot testing.
The project moved from a broad idea to a clear product and experience. Reviewers responded to the honesty of the form, spiritual story, and the grounding of the weight. Next steps are integrating electronics and running a structured trial.
The work sharpened the story and defined a path to pilot testing.
The project moved from a broad idea to a clear product and experience. Reviewers responded to the honesty of the form, spiritual story, and the grounding of the weight. Next steps are integrating electronics and running a structured trial.
Role • Tools • Timeline
Role • Tools • Timeline
Role • Tools • Timeline
I did research, form, CAD, and visualization in a spring studio.
My scope covered interviews, sketches, CAD, rendering, and page layout. Tools included sketching, Fusion 360, Keyshot, and Photoshop. I also experimented with AI tools like GPT image generation and Vizcom AI. The project was completed over 10 weeks.
I did research, form, CAD, and visualization in a spring studio.
My scope covered interviews, sketches, CAD, rendering, and page layout. Tools included sketching, Fusion 360, Keyshot, and Photoshop. I also experimented with AI tools like GPT image generation and Vizcom AI. The project was completed over 10 weeks.
I did research, form, CAD, and visualization in a spring studio.
My scope covered interviews, sketches, CAD, rendering, and page layout. Tools included sketching, Fusion 360, Keyshot, and Photoshop. I also experimented with AI tools like GPT image generation and Vizcom AI. The project was completed over 10 weeks.
