Breathscape is a time-based system that translates tea culture into a guided breathing experience. Scent cards infused with tea extracts are organized according to daily time segments and organ associations derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Users select cards based on temporal rhythm and follow structured breathing guidance. A layered ceramic vessel is designed to collect ash during use, forming a closed material cycle. The system positions aroma as part of a repeatable behavioral process.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Breathscape is a time-based sensory ritual system using tea-derived incense cards mapped to organ cycles inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike conventional aromatherapy, it structures scent selection according to daily rhythm rather than instant effect. The system integrates breath, material transformation, and cyclical ritual closure, forming a behavioral loop from perception to renewal.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Ceramic Vessel: 120 mm x 120 mm x 150 mm, integrated ash compartment
Scent Cards: 100 mm x 50 mm, upright totem-like form
Packaging: Sequential unfolding structure guiding step-by-step ritual interaction
Materials: Ceramic, layered paper infused with tea extracts, recycled paper, biodegradable inks
Functional Properties: Controlled combustion, stable ash collection, no electricity required - Tags
- Sensory Ritual, Tea Culture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Time Based Design, Organ Resonance, Sustainable Ritual, Behavioral Design, Aromatic System, Circular Design, Mindful Practice
- Production Technology
- The scent cards are fabricated from layered paper infused with refined tea extracts, allowing controlled combustion and stable aromatic diffusion. The ceramic vessel features a dual-layer structure, separating flame and ash to ensure safety and ritual completion. Printed materials use recycled paper and biodegradable inks. The system integrates meridian mapping, time-based structuring, and behavioral ritual sequencing into a cohesive physical framework.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge was translating Traditional Chinese Medicine without presenting medical claims. Balancing cultural authenticity with contemporary neutrality required careful abstraction. Material experimentation was complex, as tea-based incense needed structural stability and clean combustion. Another challenge was designing a ritual system that feels structured yet flexible, avoiding prescription while maintaining coherence.
- Project Duration
- The project was developed over a six-month period from July 2025 to January 2026 in Atlanta, New York, and Washington. The process included concept development, material testing, scent refinement, prototyping, and user feedback sessions.
- Operation Flow
- Users select a scent card according to the time of day and corresponding organ cycle. The incense card is placed in the upper vessel and lit gently. As aroma diffuses, users follow guided breathing and reading prompts. After completion, ash is collected in the base. The ritual concludes by returning ashes to soil, symbolizing emotional release and renewal. Interaction is slow, intentional, and cyclical.
- Research
- Type of Research: Practice-led design exploration. Research Objective: To translate Traditional Chinese Medicine time-organ theory into a contemporary daily ritual. Methodology: Literature review, material experiments, scent testing, and prototyping. Participants: 15 adults tested usability and scent perception. Results: Time-based scent selection increased ritual consistency and awareness of daily rhythm. Insights: Traditional philosophy can guide sustainable, low-energy daily practices without medical claims.
- Inspiration
- Breathscape was inspired by the growing condition of cognitive overload, digital fatigue, and fragmented daily rhythms in contemporary life. Drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine, the project explores the relationship between time, organ cycles, and tea culture. Instead of ingesting tea, Breathscape translates tea aroma into a non-ingestive sensory ritual. The motivation was to reinterpret ancient temporal body wisdom into a structured, low-effort practice suitable for modern lifestyles.
- Image Credits
- Photographer Yefan Liu, 2025.
Post-Processing by Yefan Liu, Fan Tang, Ziyu Chen, 2025.
Illustration Design Fan Tang, 2025.
Video Production by Ziyu Chen, 2025.
PDF Images by Yefan Liu, Fan Tang, Ziyu Chen, 2025.
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