Maybe brainstorming on your laptop didn't work.
Maybe it's time to explore yourself to learn.
Gamepads Reimagined.
A Recipe for disaster is a compilation of instances people messed up, put together into an artistic and step by step illustration like an actual recipe. Beware of the bad aftertaste.
Product Design
Somaesthetics
Industrial Design
Studio
Somaesthetics
Timeline
Nov 2023 - Jan 2023
Role
Industrial Designer, Product Designer
Other Collaborators
Samanvay Sahani, Sushrut Baporikar (Industrial Design)
Exploring Somaesthetics
Imagine if your body were a quirky, underrated chef in the grand restaurant of life—a chef that deserves its own Michelin star for the sensory delights it serves up every single day. That’s somaesthetics in a nutshell. It's the art (and science) of savouring and refining the way we experience our bodies—not just as vessels for the mind, but as vibrant canvases where every sensation, movement, and emotion paints a part of our personal masterpiece.
Imagine you’re in your kitchen, about to whip up a storm. But instead of following a stale recipe, you decide to create an entirely new dish. You begin by turning your awareness inward, paying attention to the sizzle of your breath, the subtle flavours of your heartbeat, and even the occasional pinch of discomfort that spices up your existence. Somaesthetics is essentially that conscious invitation to treat your body like the ultimate gourmet experiment, where every touch, taste, and twist is a carefully considered ingredient.
Motor functions in real life?
Gamepads and controllers are excellent tools for enhancing motor function, as they engage multiple hand and finger movements that require coordination, dexterity, and precision. The act of using a gamepad involves fine motor skills, including pressing buttons, manipulating joysticks, and performing complex sequences, all of which promote hand-eye coordination and strength. In addition, players often use both hands simultaneously, further enhancing bilateral coordination.
Video game controllers also provide tactile feedback, challenging players to react quickly and effectively, which helps to improve response time and cognitive motor control. Through consistent practice, gamepad use can contribute to better motor control, focus, and even relaxation, offering both entertainment and functional benefits in motor skill development. for 8 seconds
Tell me more..
Gamepads and controllers do more than just fuel your gaming adventures—they also serve as effective tools for enhancing motor functions. Their design requires precise finger and hand movements, which in turn helps improve fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. Every press of a button and movement of an analog stick demands accuracy and timing, making these devices a subtle exercise in dexterity.
This repetitive, engaging practice can even complement therapeutic strategies in rehabilitation, where controlled movements are key to retraining and strengthening motor skills. In short, gamepads and controllers offer a fun and interactive way to keep your motor functions sharp while you play.
What did we come up with?
Our gamepad models were made using materials like paper, cardboard, glue, and tape for a very practical reason: to illustrate the pressing and pointing functions in a tangible, low-cost way.
By using these simple materials, we could quickly prototype and manipulate the design, testing out different button press mechanics and pointer functions without the need for expensive technology.
The flexibility of working with paper and cardboard allowed us to focus on the core functionality—how the buttons feel when pressed or how the pointer mechanism would work—without getting distracted by the complexities of production.
"This is a game-changer. Quite Literally."
Vineetha
Faculty, Srishti Manipal