Phillips Embrace
For this speculative design brief, we were tasked with selecting a company and imagining a product aligned with their future direction. We chose Philips, a leader in healthcare innovation, and designed for a world set in 2035, amidst the outbreak of a new respiratory pandemic. The brief challenged us to envision how design could support mental well-being, connection, and flourishing—especially for the 75+ demographic, a group deeply impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first phase involved a two-week group design sprint, during which we researched Philips' values, explored multi-sensory interaction, and developed a concept for a hand-held or wearable device. The concept aimed to simulate the comfort of holding hands with a loved one remotely, engaging the senses of touch, sound, smell, and sight to combat isolation and support emotional resilience.
In the subsequent individual development phase, I refined the concept into Philips Embrace: A modular, ergonomic device inspired by natural basalt stones used in therapy. The device integrates:
Heated tactile feedback to simulate human warmth
Aromatherapy pods selected via app, reinforcing memory and emotional bonding
Built-in speakers for voice communication and ambient sounds
Optional holographic projection for visual presence in future versions
My design explored advanced materials such as bio-silicone and basalt composites, while maintaining Philips’ sustainable ethos through recyclable components and modular construction. The device promotes the PERMA framework (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment), turning a simple product into a long-term emotional support tool.
This project taught me the power of multi-sensory design in encouraging human connection and well-being. It deepened my understanding of how to design empathetically for ageing populations and inspired me to continue integrating emotional intelligence into future product development.
