RE4Design

Rhythmic entrainment (RE), is a physics principle that also influences humans; when we perceive a rhythm, we align our movements to it. While numerous research cases have highlighted the potential for enhancing our lives through rhythm, practical applications in product design remain limited. In my thesis I researched how to communicate the (immense amount of) information on RE effectively to designers. The framework starts with a video introduction, terminology, a benchmark test, expert interviews and a visualized method for designing with rhythm. 

To validate the framework and present a real-world application, I conducted a research-through-design process using a case from Glimp. Glimp’s breathwork tool aims to help people harness the power of their breath by providing different breathing exercises with vibrations in the hands. I researched the possibility of adjusting the breathing rhythm to the breath of the user, allowing for a smooth transition into the exercise. Two methods of adjusting the tempo were built in MAX/MSP and tested with users. The insights were used to create a viable and feasible concept with the most desirable method of adjusting.