Industrial - Bachelor
CHROMA: a new interface for the treatment of asthma. CHROMA is a compact, ergonomically refined redesign of the asthma spacer, granting users the autonomy and confidence that current market options do not offer. Featuring a surgical stainless steel body ensures durability and hygiene, while a modular silicone port and refined form support optimal posture, adaptability, and seamless daily integration.
Asthma is one of the most common yet poorly managed respiratory diseases among young adults. A major factor in this issue is the underuse of spacers, devices that attach to metered-dose inhalers to improve medication delivery. Despite their medical benefits, traditional spacers are often bulky, noisy, and visually conspicuous, discouraging use in public and contributing to social stigma. This stigma negatively impacts users’ willingness to treat their condition, creating a gap between medical need and product adoption.
This research explores how the design of asthma spacers contributes to social stigma and how this affects user compliance. By identifying the social and ergonomic factors that make spacers inconvenient or embarrassing to use, the study seeks to uncover opportunities for improvement. Through market analysis, literature review, and user research, the project examines the relationships between form, function, and perception to develop design strategies that enhance comfort, discretion, and emotional acceptance. The aim is to inform future spacer designs that promote both medical effectiveness and user confidence in everyday life.
“I want it to blend in with my lifestyle, not burden it.”
interview candidate
The research findings indicate that future asthma spacer designs should prioritise portability, usability, and aesthetics to align with the preferences of young adults. Emphasis on ergonomic and accessible design is essential to accommodate varying dexterity levels and ensure intuitive use. Incorporating personalisation and aesthetic value can strengthen user identification with the product and reduce social stigma. Additionally, modular construction would facilitate hygiene maintenance and component replacement, enhancing product longevity.
Overall, design strategies that integrate portability, ergonomics, and personal expression have the potential to improve user compliance and the overall effectiveness of asthma management among young adult populations.
CHROMA redefines the relationship between users and medical devices by transforming asthma management from a clinical task into a personal, empowering experience. Rooted in the belief that healthcare should not feel burdensome, CHROMA encourages users to connect with their treatment through thoughtful, human-centred design. Its compact stainless steel body ensures durability and hygiene, while features such as a removable silicone port insert, ergonomic rounded form, and one-way air valve enhance comfort and usability. Engraved patterns and a keychain loop integrate the device seamlessly into daily life, promoting both portability and self-expression. By addressing emotional as well as physical needs, CHROMA fosters a deeper sense of identity and ownership, turning medical compliance into meaningful engagement.
Transforming a once cumbersome device that users were tethered to into a fun and personal accessory that accompanies them through their daily life.
The three editions of compact spacers that CHROMA has to offer. All designs are inspired by the various aesthetic trends of the early 2000s. Taking inspiration from the design aesthetics that they are named after, Frutiger Aero, Cybersigilism and Cybercore.
As ergonomic spacer designs aren’t prevalent in the current market, ideation sketching was essential in establishing organic forms that work in tandem with the hands of various percentiles.
Along with ideation, sketching was establishing an identity for CHROMA. Born from the current resurgence of the many design personalities of the Y2K era, CHROMA explores this through its three engraving options of NOVA, AERO and SIGIL.
CHROMA addresses the gap in current asthma spacer design by transforming a clinical device into a personal companion. Through its compact form, refined aesthetics, and customisable features, it offers users convenience, style, and autonomy in managing their condition. By integrating elements of personal expression and contemporary design, CHROMA fosters emotional connection and pride of ownership, encouraging consistent use and improving treatment compliance. It redefines the medical device as something to carry with confidence, not conceal out of necessity.
Tam is a designer focused on human-centred design and exploring the intersections of art and design. Her work draws on user needs and experiences to create meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences that connect people and context. Through research and making, she seeks to bridge creativity, identity, and functionality in contemporary design.