Title: Getting a GRIP on work-related stress: design and evaluation of a nature inspired relaxation space

Authors: Evelien Van de Garde-Perik; Federico Trevia; Adam Henriksson; Luc Geurts; Helle Ullerup

Addresses: Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Landbergstraat 15, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands ' Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Landbergstraat 15, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands ' Philips Design Innovation, High Tech Campus, Building HTC-33, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands ' Philips Design Innovation, High Tech Campus, Building HTC-33, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands ' Philips Design Innovation, High Tech Campus, Building HTC-33, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Abstract: The GRIP project takes an open innovation approach by multiple design iterations together with multiple experts in a relatively new area for design (work-related stress). The GRIP relaxation space offers employees an adaptive environment inspired by nature that reacts to people's presence and creates a personal environment, varying in size, soundscape and animated light. The environment stimulates paced breathing, meditation and helps employees to become more aware and in control of their personal response to stressors and relaxation. The design has been evaluated by 23 experts with backgrounds in design, research and healthcare. These evaluations resulted in very positive responses regarding the low effort required and the high quality of the relaxation experience provided by the design. The open approach has resulted in a design of the relaxation space that provides a platform for further exploration and innovation within and beyond the domain of work-related stress.

Keywords: design research; work-related stress; relaxation space; nature inspired design; NID; ambient experience; expert evaluation; prototyping; meditation; paced breathing; product service systems; PSS; open innovation; personal response; stressors; soundscape; animated light.

DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2016.078612

International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2016 Vol.9 No.3, pp.253 - 272

Received: 13 Nov 2014
Accepted: 06 Feb 2015
Published online: 26 Aug 2016 *

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