by Veronika Poštrak -

2.4 BTS: Laser Cutting and Assembly of My Prototype

After finishing the design phase, I moved on to creating the physical prototype using the university’s Lasercutter CO2 Trotec Speedy 360. The material I chose was 4mm thin plywood, sturdy enough for the breathing circle but still easy to work with. Before starting the machine, I prepared my design in Adobe Illustrator. To make sure the laser cutter knows what to cut and what to engrave, I used two different colors in the file: red lines show where the laser should cut completely through the plywood, outlining each piece of the breathing circle, black lines and textures represent areas to engrave, like the tactile patterns for the inhale, hold, and exhale sections, plus small text labels.

This separation is important because engraving only burns the surface lightly, creating texture and detail without cutting all the way through. Since I’m relatively new to laser cutting, I was careful not to engrave too deeply – wood can start to burn quickly if the settings are too strong. This cautious approach helped me keep the surface textures clear and clean.

Once the file was ready, I set up the materials and workspace with the 4mm plywood sheets and M4 size plastic screws. These screws allow the plates to rotate smoothly while keeping the holes minimal and unobtrusive, maintaining a clean and minimalistic look.

The laser cutter produced very precise pieces with clean edges. The engraved sections added subtle textures that can be felt by touch, which is essential for the breathing circle’s interactive experience.

At this stage, the prototype pieces were not yet assembled, but it was exciting to see the parts come to life physically. The cutouts and engraving matched the digital design well, making assembly straightforward.

Final Thoughts

Using the laser cutter was a key step in turning the concept into something tangible. This process allowed me to explore the tactile qualities of the breathing circle and how the physical form supports the interaction. Even though the prototype isn’t complete, the precise cuts and engraved textures already give a strong sense of how users might experience it.

This phase reinforced how prototyping, especially analog and lo-fi methods, can reveal important insights early in the design process. It’s not just about finishing a perfect product but about thinking through the physical experience, testing ideas, and learning along the way.

Next, I will do some user testing to gather feedback and observe how the prototype works in practice.

by Veronika Poštrak -

2.3 Sketching and Developing the Breathing Circle

What kinds of interactions actually support mental focus in everyday life? And how can something as simple as a small, analog object stand up to the constant pull of digital notifications?

These questions guided me as I moved from concept into the practical development of the Breathing Circle. This was the moment where abstract ideas started becoming real: sketching, measuring, refining. But it wasn’t just about making a “nice object”, it was about intentionally designing a pause. A pause that resists the speed and urgency of digital life.

Here’s how I started shaping that pause into form.

Sketch of the Breathing Circle

Turning Breath into Form

I wanted each part of the breathing process to feel different, so that people don’t have to think about what comes next, they can simply follow the texture with their fingers and focus on their breath. Since the prototype will be laser-cut, I chose engraved textures over raised ones. The engraved patterns are subtle but distinct, providing just enough tactile guidance without being distracting or overstimulating.

The Three Phases of Breath
  1. INHALE – Straight Lines – Why? Inhaling feels like steadily drawing in air, filling the lungs. The lines guide the fingers steadily inward, like gathering energy.
  2. HOLD – Smooth / Flat – Why? Holding the breath is a still moment. By removing texture, I’m reinforcing that pause, offering tactile neutrality to match the emotional neutrality of holding.
  3. EXHALE – Engraved Dots – Why? Exhaling is about release. The dotted texture creates a gentle sense of dispersal, like bubbles or soft particles letting go.
Proportions of the Circle

2/5 inhale, 1/5 hold, 2/5 exhale – Why? This ratio reflects a calming breathing rhythm, with enough space for a longer exhale to naturally relax the body.

Other Functional Details
  • Center hole for screwing together both plates, allowing rotation.
  • Indicator hole to show which breathing phase you’re currently on (“inhale,” “hold,” or “exhale”).
  • Text engravings to match, visible through the moving layer, guiding the flow.

Why Analog? Why This?

Screens offer too much speed. This small, analog tool offers something different: focus through simplicity. For me, this isn’t just a prototype, it’s a way to answer a frustration I’ve experienced myself: forgetting to breathe properly in stressful, digital spaces. Making this helps turn that small frustration into a thoughtful pause.

Next, I’ll bring this sketch into reality through laser cutting, testing proportions and feel. In the following blogposts, I’ll reflect on that process, and eventually create a video that brings the whole journey together.