UX Case Study
·
2024
Palo — An ergonomic pillow concept supporting posture alignment, comfort, and restorative wellness.
My Role
Product / Brand Designer, UX Researcher
Timeline
6 weeks
Tools
Figma, Illustrator, Sewing Machine, Gemini
Platform
Physical Product + Digital Brand System
01 — About
This frame sets the foundation by highlighting a direct link between ergonomic research and product design, demonstrating how physical comfort informs branding and experience decisions.
The Problem
Many people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep due to discomfort, loneliness, and lack of physical support. Research shows that the absence of companionship at night can increase stress, disrupt sleep rhythms, and contribute to anxiety — creating a cycle of restlessness that negatively impacts both physical and mental well-being.
Traditional pillows offer softness, but not the emotional comfort or ergonomic support people often need. As a result, users toss and turn searching for relief, waking up feeling tired, sore, or disconnected.
The Solution
Grounded in research on touch, cortisol reduction, and sleep quality, Palo offers both physical alignment and emotional reassurance. By blending plush materials with a shape that mimics supportive companionship, Palo helps users feel secure, relaxed, and properly supported — making it easier to unwind, fall asleep, and stay asleep.
Key Statistics
87%
of consumers
want to purchase sustainably but don't know where to start
60%
of clothing
is discarded within one year of purchase
10%
of global emissions
come from the fashion industry
02 — The Process
Concept Design
→
Physical Design Process
The journey began with ergonomic and sleep research, supported by interviews to understand real comfort needs. From there, I sketched and tested pillow shapes based on cervical alignment, then sourced materials to explore different levels of support and softness. I created a physical prototype by cutting patterns, layering foams, and sewing the form to test how the design behaved when held or hugged. Alongside this, I developed a calm, wellness-focused visual identity, refining colours, typography, and iconography to align with the product’s emotional purpose.
Colours
Night Sky
#0C1A58
Sleep Mist
#D1E8FF
Lunar Glow
Accent
Frosted Cloud
#FAFAF9
Colour Philosophy
Night Sky
Creates a calm, grounding backdrop that evokes nighttime rest and reinforces the soothing, sleep-focused tone of the brand.
Sophisticated Neutrals
Soft Sage — Symbolises restoration and natural wellness.
Accessible Design
Off-White — Adds clarity and breathing room to the visual identity.
Logo & Wordmark
Primary Logo
Secondary Logo
The Symbol
Continuous line symbol inspired by the palo shape with rounded typography for softness.
Typography
Bubblebody neue for headers; DM Sans for body clarity.
Character: Playful, modern, warm
Clear Space
Gentle, supportive, wellness-oriented brand rooted in ergonomic research.
Min Size: 150px (digital) / 1.25" (print)
Typography System
The People Pillow
Poor sleep doesn’t stay in the bedroom
After understanding the emotional and physical gaps in traditional sleep supports, a new opportunity emerged…
DISPLAY TYPEFACE
Aa
Bubblebody Neue
Bubblebody Neue brings a soft, friendly, and playful character to headings, adding warmth to the visual tone.
Headlines: 48-72px
Subheads: 32-48px
Letter-spacing: -0.02em
BODY TYPEFACE
Aa
DM Sans
DM Sans provides clean, modern readability, ensuring body text feels clear, balanced, and easy to follow.
Body: 16-18px
Small: 14-16px
Line-height: 1.6
Brand Applications
04 — The Credits
Contributors:
Emma Smith — Solo Project
Research, UX/ UI Design, & Brand Design
Photography:
Palo Process Photos — Emma Smith
Palo Mockups — Brand Materials + Google Gemini (link)
Iconography:
Figure icons — sumitsaengthong