Thergo
Faculty Mentor Name
Marie Lee
Research or Creativity Area
Humanities & Arts
Abstract
This project focuses on developing a therapeutic heated mousepad and a branding identity for it. The mousepad is designed to help relieve wrist strain and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. As computers become a bigger part of everyday life, many students and office workers experience discomfort from repetitive mouse and keyboard use. Current solutions like wrist braces or medical treatments can be bulky, expensive, or inconvenient to use while working. Due to this, there is a need for a product that provides relief while still fitting naturally into a typical workspace.
The product was developed through collaboration between engineering and graphic design teams. It combines heat therapy, gentle massage, wrist stabilization, and optional TENS stimulation within a mousepad design. Instead of feeling like a medical device, the goal is for the product to function as a normal desk accessory that also supports wrist health.
The graphic design portion of the project focuses on building a clear and cohesive brand identity. This includes designing the logo, packaging, website, and promotional materials. The branding emphasizes comfort, accessibility, and everyday usability, presenting wrist care as something that can easily become part of a daily routine rather than only something people think about after pain begins.
Purpose
The engineering team is responsible for creating a product that is functional, efficient, and convenient for everyday use, ensuring it solves problems and performs reliably. At the same time, the graphic design team shapes how the product is perceived by developing a visual identity that reflects the brand’s values, personality, and message. Together, they combine performance and design to create a product that is both useful and meaningful while clearly connecting with its audience.
Results
The mouse pad provides wrist support and comfort while maintaining a normal desk accessory appearance. The branding, including logo, packaging, website, and promotional materials, effectively conveys the product’s purpose and is appropriate for the target audience of students, office workers, and others with repetitive hand use. The design clearly emphasizes everyday usability, comfort, and wellness.
Overall, the results show that the product meets functional goals and that the visual identity aligns with the engineering team’s vision and is suitable for the intended audience.
Significance
This project is significant because it addresses a common issue of wrist strain from everyday computer use by creating a practical and accessible solution that fits naturally into daily life. It gives students real world experience by combining engineering and graphic design to develop a product that is both functional and well branded. The project connects to existing knowledge in ergonomics, product design, and visual communication while offering a new perspective by turning a typical workspace item into a tool for health and comfort rather than a medical device.
The implications of this work include encouraging more user friendly and preventative health solutions in everyday products, which could influence how future ergonomic products are designed and marketed. It also helps broaden our understanding of how design can improve daily well being in subtle but meaningful ways. The final project could be useful for students, designers, and companies interested in combining health focused innovation with strong branding, and the findings could be shared with educators, design students, and others in the academic community.
Thergo
This project focuses on developing a therapeutic heated mousepad and a branding identity for it. The mousepad is designed to help relieve wrist strain and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. As computers become a bigger part of everyday life, many students and office workers experience discomfort from repetitive mouse and keyboard use. Current solutions like wrist braces or medical treatments can be bulky, expensive, or inconvenient to use while working. Due to this, there is a need for a product that provides relief while still fitting naturally into a typical workspace.
The product was developed through collaboration between engineering and graphic design teams. It combines heat therapy, gentle massage, wrist stabilization, and optional TENS stimulation within a mousepad design. Instead of feeling like a medical device, the goal is for the product to function as a normal desk accessory that also supports wrist health.
The graphic design portion of the project focuses on building a clear and cohesive brand identity. This includes designing the logo, packaging, website, and promotional materials. The branding emphasizes comfort, accessibility, and everyday usability, presenting wrist care as something that can easily become part of a daily routine rather than only something people think about after pain begins.
