Designer: Shuwen Jiang
Professor: Alex Schweder
Master thesis
This design uses invisible wearable products to relieve anxiety in a job interview in a specific environment. Situational anxiety products that alleviate stress do not depend on the design's sophistication or appearance's beauty. Instead, they focus on enabling the anxious person to relieve their negative emotions in a comfortable environment with products on their daily clothes.
I opted for three distinct approaches to alleviate anxiety, each targeting physiological, psychological, and product-related adjustments.
Introducing the first design concept centered around scent, a unique collar innovation for shirts. The detachable collar offers the freedom to select from various scents, catering to individual relaxation preferences. The fusion of fragrance and collar arises from the collar's proximity to the nose; hence, subtle natural plant scents prevent overwhelming impressions on others. Diverse collar styles accommodate various genders, enhancing inclusivity. This adaptable collar seamlessly complements attire through adjustable buckles, enabling effortless color coordination with shirts and suits. Tailoring to diverse corporate cultures, the multifaceted collar aids in aligning with different company styles, acknowledging the significance of individual expression.
Interview preparation involves maintaining an upright posture, ideally aided by a corrective garment that ensures proper alignment. Initially, I explored integrating this concept with a vest, but using elastic fabric posed challenges in maintaining the vest's structure during posture correction. Consequently, I chose to develop it as an independent attire. To mitigate discomfort in the shoulders and armpits resulting from tightly cinched posture correction, I introduced sleeves to redirect pressure onto the arms. Utilizing double-sided elastic fabric, a flexible clasp fastens the garment beneath the chest, functioning as a discreet vest. This under-clothing design employs thin, carefully chosen fabric for enhanced comfort.
To address emotional and physical well-being, I innovated a conventional business suit by incorporating dual-purpose pockets targeting the heart and stomach regions. Placing one's hands in these specialized pockets, positioned near these vital areas, facilitates a heightened connection to the rhythmic rise and fall of breath, promoting a sense of calm. This practice is conducive, whether in private spaces or while seated during periods of anticipation. Initially, I contemplated integrating the pockets directly onto the shirt, but challenges emerged in concealing them seamlessly, potentially leading to a disheveled appearance. Ultimately, I ingeniously placed the pockets within the coat, enabling individuals to discreetly engage in deep-breathing exercises by inserting their hands within the jacket's core.
Evaluation:
The 2020 COVID-19 outbreak led to the confinement of the initial 15 models within the studio, constrained production materials for the project's final product, and hindered user research due to home isolation measures.
