​Problem of interest:
What if we could apply a band-aid on our emotional wound?
Design focuses
Product Design Service Design​ Critical Design
​COOLIE - FIRST AID KIT FOR PANIC ATTACK
Unlike physical wounds, emotional wounds are often underestimated and left untreated. Built-up negative feelings may result in depressive thoughts and behaviours that could impact daily routine as well as work performance.
The Panic Attack First Aid Kit is an attempt to raise social awareness about emotional wellness. It consists of a simple, yet, effective cooling device, poster with instructions and flashcards to provide immediate first aid to people who encounter panic attack in public. With the tools, they are able to cope up with it either by themselves or with the help from another person.
​PHYSICAL WOUNDS VS EMOTIONAL WOUNDS
Coolie was inspired by the design concept of a regular band-aid. Band-aids help protect and heal minor injuries that happen when we perform our daily activities. Band-aid was the first aid solution for anything, from a small scratch to a bleeding, open wound.
​That raised the next question...
​"How do we perform first aid for emotional wounds?"
​WHAT WE DO VS HOW WE FEEL
Based on primary research data from anonymous online questionaires
​Activities people do when they feel down
​Hobbies VS Temporary distractions
Common symptoms of stress
​Preferred space when in distress
​Research Insights
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Individuals who tend to perform activities that provide temporary distraction/ relaxation, while not addressing their problems, show a higher number of psychological symptoms (5 or more) and are more likely to be stressed every 3 months in a year.
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On the other hand, people who try to face and accept their feelings by reaching out for help, keeping a diary, self-reflecting, etc. show a lower number of symptoms (4 or less) and are less likely to deal with stress over the year.
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Majority of participants prefer a space with few people and empty space over a crowded space. There are also more participants who choose an open space rather than a narrow space, and indoor instead of outdoor. However, very few chose narrow space. This breaks the assumption that people who are dealing with emotional problems would prefer to stay in a narrow space that isolates themselves from the other.
PRACTICING EMOTIONAL HYGIENE
Based on secondary research data
A psychological wound can go undetected when we think it is simply a temporary moment of unhappiness. However, when too many symptoms are factored, we develop a tendency to “cut open” our psychological wound by blaming ourselves, brooding, ruminating that results in emotional disorders.
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Our distress needs a dab of disinfectant as well
​UNDERSTANDING PANIC ATTACK
STRESS
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Triggers fight-or-flight response in your body that is supposed to protect you
FIGHT-OR- FLIGHT RESPONSE
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If triggered at the right timing, it helps you stay alert and focused
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If triggered at the wrong timing and/or too often, it causes site-effects like emotional, behavioural, cognitive and physical symptoms
PANIC ATTACK
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Is an inappropriate fight-or-flight response
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Common symptomps : rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, sweating that are body responses designed to escape a potential threat
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Can happen unexpectedly during a calm or anxious state
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It is highly treatable, NOT a life-threatening emergency
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​TAKING A NON-DOMINANT APPROACH
​If there is a first-aid kit for emotional damage, how should the "band-aid" look/ feel like?
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The components are intuitive to use
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The instructions are legible and coherent
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It should looks natural in a public space, can potentially be camouflaged with other objects that already exist within the space.
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Users interact with the components and return the components to the Kit after use.