breathscape
Origami Kit, Mindful Breathing Sculpture, & Meditation App
Role
Information Designer
Team
This project was done in collaboration with my classmate Annie Lee for a course called Data as Material that was taken in the Fall of 2024 at Parsons School of Design
Skills
Data Visualization
Data Physicalization
Visual Design
Branding
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
D3.js
Project Overview
This project started as a self-quantification assignment, where we turned everyday curiosities into meaningful data stories. For the data physicalization portion, I teamed up with my classmate Annie Lee to visualize breathing exercises.
Brief
Heart rate variability (HRV) measures the variation between heartbeats, indicating the autonomic nervous system's regulation. Higher HRV suggests better adaptability and health, while lower HRV can signal stress or health concerns. WHOOP reports an average HRV of 78 for 25-year-olds and 60 for 35-year-olds. My HRV is low at 34.
Problem
Prioritizing both physical and mental well-being, I explored whether daily breathing exercises could improve my HRV. Resonant coherent breathing (6 breaths/min) has been shown to boost HRV with regular practice.
Motivation
I implemented 10 minutes of RCH in the morning and 20 min in the evening. I aggregated the collected data from my Garmin Smartwatch and visualized the results using D3.js.
Annie and I then explored creating a sculpture to visualize the breathing exercises which turned into an DIY origami kit.
Methodology
How might we…
create a physical model that visually represents breathing exercises, using a soft, malleable material that embodies the lightness of breath? Inspired by artists like Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Karolina Maszkiewicz, we chose paper for its versatility in origami. Our enjoyable prototyping process led us to transform the sculpture into a fun, at-home kit and breathing app.
Product Design
The Breathscape App features a diagram of the breathscape piece with additional information on each breathing exercise, guided breathing sessions, and origami folding tutorials.
Each Kit Comes with…
Envelope with strings and the following items…
Petal box (used to hang the origami structure)
Origami folding instructions
Origami paper grouped by the breathing exercises
Social Media & Branding
Breathscape tutorials, breathing exercises, and user generated content on Instagram
Back of the envelope includes a QR code for a relaxing Spotify playlist to listen to while crafting
Instagram Reels to Showcase Product
Kit Unboxing
Origami Tutorial
Final Sculpture
The logo was created with the 6 breathing exercises in mind. Each circle represents the breathing exercise and the negative space in the middle is the same shape as the folded origami that represents the inhales.
Logo Design
Breath Kit PR
Introducing the BreathScape Origami Kit—a blend of artistry and mindfulness designed to promote inner calm and reduce anxiety. This kit features six breathing patterns, with origami sizes corresponding to inhale, exhale, or hold times. Sustainable and versatile, the box doubles as storage and a display platform for the breathing sculptures, making them perfect for home or office decor.
My D3.js visualization explores the complexities of HRV and its potential links to sleep, exercise, and breathing practices. While the data didn’t conclusively prove the impact of resonant coherent breathing on HRV, qualitative observations showed reduced anxiety and increased peace. This project reflects a personal journey in self-tracking and the connection between physiological data and well-being.