Israel – Yali Paz, a product design student from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, is stimulating feelings of comfort through a series of soft beanbags designed for hugging. Taking inspiration from the sensation of being cradled as a child, the cocoon-like structure enables a rocking motion, while a soft-shell recess allows for self-hugging.
By mimicking a familiar sense of human embrace through furniture, the project – called My Second Childhood – reflects the growing need for self-healing in the inter-Covid era. And with many still feeling cautious about physical touch, such projects cater to the demand for intimate moments as we come out of a period of prolonged isolation.
More generally, the impact of the pandemic encouraged people to reassess their home environments and the ways that interior design choices can impact their wellbeing. From connected furniture to augmented isolation, we’ve explored the innovations that are supporting physical and mental health through Fulfillment Furnishings.
Strategic opportunity
Designers working with textiles and furnishings have an opportunity to elevate the emotional impact of their products with comforting tactile elements. Beyond interiors, consider how items of clothing could create a similar sensation of human embrace