Type / Final Project
Duration / Semester Project
Category / Product Design
Format / Individual Project
ORBA
ORBA is a handheld calm toy designed to redirect restless or spiralling thoughts through tactile interaction.
By combining pressure, stepped rolling, and reset, it creates a simple bodily rhythm that supports calmer attention.
Context
Stress is often felt through the body as much as through the mind.
Restlessness, reduced focus, and repetitive small gestures suggest that attention is already being managed physically.
In-Design Opportunity
The gap is not in touch alone, but in how touch is structured.
ORBA proposes a non-digital handheld object that redirects attention through pressure, rhythm, and repeated movement.
Interaction Experiments
The project began by testing compression, pressing, and rolling as different tactile modes.
These experiments helped identify which actions could support a calmer and more focused bodily rhythm.
Rolling & Magnetic Rhythm
Rolling became the most promising direction because it introduced continuity without becoming passive.
Magnetic attraction and release helped create a more stepped and intentional tactile rhythm.
Component
ORBA is built from a compact set of coordinated parts.
Button, shell, lid, base, spring, bearing, and internal structure work together to create input, rolling, feedback, and reset.
Material was treated as part of the interaction rather than as finish alone.
PLA supported rapid prototyping, magnets introduced stepped feedback, the spring provided resistance and reset, and bearings improved smoothness.
Final 3D Modelling
The final CAD model resolved the object as a compact tactile system.
Its geometry was refined to balance grip, rolling stability, and a clear interaction zone.
Assembly and Fit Testing
Physical testing focused on whether the button, shell, spring, base, and lid could work together as one clear tactile sequence.
Small changes in fit and alignment had a strong effect on the clarity of the final interaction.
Surface Refinement & Finishing
Dry Sanding
Wet Sanding
Packaging
The packaging and identity extend the calm and resolved character of the product.
Render, packaging net, logo, and colour choices together support a coherent visual language.
