snoezel object

Project type: waag society project
Role: research, prototyping, user testing

The objective of this project was to develop a prototype for a mobile sneozel object.
A sneozel object stems from snoezelen therapy which was defined in the late 1970's by two Dutch therapists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul. While working at the De Hartenberg Institute in the Netherlands, a center for people with cognitive disabilities, the two therapists learned of the positive responses a colleague was able to elicit from his severely challenged clients when they were exposed to a sensory environment he had assembled. The environment stimulates the primary senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, through the use of lighting effects, tactile surfaces, meditative music and the odor of relaxing essential oils.

The following is a brief overview of my project process and outcome.

Inspiration

Boda Blocks- Dynamic Patterning and wind board Leah Buechley

Interactive throw pillows containing intelligence touch sencing surface by Thecla Schiphorst

 

 

Idea's
Thoughts on objects, spaces and playful empty prototypes

Smart fabrics and the work of Marina Toeters.
Marina's work focuses on design and research in fashion technologies.

 

The Concept

Interactive snoezel objects

The interactions between objects.

Incorporating theories of gradual exposure therapy.

Outcome and user testing

Theses objects were the final prototypes.

User testing, at this stage, was done with children without disabilities in order to monitor objects working parts.