The "HairTunes" music comb series turns ordinary combs into unique instruments, seamlessly blending touch and sound in an enjoyable and creative way to awaken seemingly mundane daily life. Created as part of Xinyue Wu's thesis, HairTunes effortlessly reinvigorates the mundane act of combing and grooming.

"By combining music and touch, we can create a deeply
engaging and satisfying experience that can have a positive impact on our well-being." - Dr. Klemens Gutmann

Let’s take a closer look at each HairTunes comb in the suite:

Rain Curle is a brush inspired by the rain stick instrument. "When the spiral structure inside is struck by metal beads it creates a spa-like experience for your hair, leaving you feeling refreshed," Xinyue explains. 

This brush is currently under development and we're striving to bring it to market as soon as possible. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates.

Accordicomb is inspired by the accordion and flute. "Its structure allows air to flow into the handle as you press it against your head, and you can control the tone with your fingertips," Xinyue says. "Relax and train your brain at the same time." 

Cymbcush is a comb inspired by cymbals, which creates a percussive sound as you press its teeth against your head. The internal spring compresses, causing a ball to strike against a copper plate and producing a rhythmic sound.

The Backstory

“In the midst of academic and work pressures, when I often found myself drained and without time for self-care, my mother would always remind me: "Xinyue, come here, let me comb your hair." She knew well that combing my hair could alleviate the stress in my head and help me relax. The rhythmic, gentle strokes of combing felt like a beautiful melody. It got me thinking about blending music with this ritual, which led to the creation of "HairTunes." Different hair brushing actions produce various sounds, offering a dual sensory experience of both hearing and touch. This product redefined the role of a comb, turning it into a source of daily joy.” Xinyue says.

How to Rediscover Joy in the Everyday?

Have you ever truly experienced the delight that the little things in life can bring? It's an opportunity to practice observation and vitality, like a child exploring the world anew.

As a method for uncovering joy in the ordinary, Xinyue has crafted a Sensory Scavenger Hunt. This entails a series of walks or local excursions, each with a specific sensory objective. It involves a vibrant map paired with a set of audio cues. Here's what it entails:

• Discover a visual that sparks joy.
• Uncover a scent that brings relaxation.
• Identify a sound that brings a smile to your face.
• Feel a texture reminiscent of a beloved memory.
• Savor a taste that evokes feelings of home.

A brief, charming video showcasing the Sensory Scavenger Hunt concept can be found here.

 The Backstory

“In the eyes of children, the world is always filled with wonder and marvel. However, as we grow older, we seem to lose the ability to connect with the world, and life becomes repetitive and dull, constrained by various pressures and rules. I have experienced something similar myself.

One day, I unexpectedly discovered that the orchid on my windowsill had bloomed. Due to the busy life, I often forgot to water it, yet it bloomed without my expectation. So, I began to observe it carefully. I was amazed to find that the texture of its petals was so unique, its structure so symmetrical, and its color scheme so ingenious. I thought, humans are also like this. Every part of us is a masterpiece of nature, our body, mind, emotions, all are miracles created by nature.

I was moved by all of this. We often overlook the beauty around us, but when we quiet our minds and observe, we will find a close connection with the world. This inspired me to design a game - the Sensory Scavenger Hunt. By using our senses to perceive the world, we can re-establish our connection with the environment and awaken curiosity. This is not only suitable for children but also for adults. By cultivating curiosity, we can embrace a broader reality filled with connections and love, transcending mundane worries and anxieties, allowing us to fully enjoy the beauty of the present moment.” Xinyue says.

Of course, this core concept, with its ideas, prompts, and challenges, can be adapted in various ways to suit different scenarios—whether for individuals, families, classroom activities, or one-time workshops.

Subscribe to our newsletter, and receive a complimentary PDF map later to embark on your sensory adventure! 

RE-ACTORS, a series of five installations, is designed to evoke "re-physicalizing" and "re-socializing" experiences that elicit specific emotional reactions from visitors. It delves into how design shapes our everyday existence.

Telephone is the auditory component of the installation where guests can listen to pre-recorded loops of guided meditations and positive affirmations, which can help regulate stress and improve brain function. The structure provides a comforting contoured surface for guests to recline against.

Hugg brings back the lost sensation of an embrace, which was a common gesture pre-pandemic. Guests are embraced by a contraption where inflating pumps gradually apply pressure, recreating the feeling of a hug, releasing mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin, and reducing stress hormones like cortisol.

Eye2Eye pairs two guests together to stare into each other’s eyes; the 20 seconds of extended eye contact leads to feelings of calm and love triggered by the release of oxycontin.

The Lean structure lets visitors relax into postures that feel safe and predictable even alongside strangers.

Finally, Scratch & Sniff triggers the olfactory stimuli, which in turn triggers different emotions. Guests sniff different scent patches and try to guess the source. Natural scents trigger serotonin and endorphins while food-related smells trigger nostalgia and prompt the release of dopamine.

 The Backstory

“This design project is the year 2022, amidst the ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic for over two years. While we have been physically separated and maintaining distance for our safety, our emotional well-being has suffered. Under the guidance of Professor Sinclair Smith, we embarked on a semester-long exploration of how to safely ignite positive emotional experiences through physical interaction. Throughout this journey, I once again deeply felt the profound impact of design on our human and emotional levels.

Behind the scenes, our team invested tremendous effort, starting from research, ideation, and pitching concepts (with my idea - "Telephone" - evolving into one of the installations). Through collaborative efforts, each team member played an invaluable role in bringing this experimental furniture showcase to fruition. As a result, we emerged victorious, winning the WantedDesign Manhattan 2022: Best of Schools award.” Xinyue says.

Behind the show

This project seamlessly integrates a vase with tableware storage, addressing the pain points of our targeted users. The aim is to craft not only the most aesthetically pleasing tableware storage rack but also a functional work of art for everyday life.

The plates form the body of the vase and the bottleneck is the gathering place for knives, forks, spoons, etc.

Insert forks and spoons into the vase like flower arranging, which also saves space. When the places are full, a unique layered vase will be formed.

The Backstory

“This project actually marks my initial endeavor to infuse creativity and art into everyday life. It shatters the conventional perception of tableware storage racks by transforming them into artful "vases," thus awakening the artistic essence in our daily routines.” Xinyue says.