Rob Spalding

I am interested in addressing mental health, specifically stress, with a product or system that connects the mind to the body. Negative emotions are detrimental to the physical body. Through my research, I have learned that developing countries have higher rates of depression, heart disease, and stroke. These illnesses can be attributed to the stress caused by a disconnected relationship between body and mind. When mind and body run in tandem, a person is more in tune with his or herself, regardless of illness or wellness. Additionally, good food, consistent exercise, and good sleep patterns lead to higher self-esteem. A leader in mind-body awareness, Jon Kabat-Zinn developed a technique called “mindfulness meditation.” The goal of the exercise is to exist in the moment, to resist the need to change one’s surroundings, to clear one’s head of all thoughts, and to tune in to the basic experience of living.

This sketch is a special case for items that connect you to stress in your life. Put them in the box, set the timer, and go do something that de-stresses you for the amount of time on the timer. Your items are locked in the chamber for as long as you set the timer.

Experts:

Jon Kabat-Zinn would be interesting to talk to just because you can’t get his method unless you pay him $10 per month. Despite this seemingly seedy business plan, his method is supposedly legitimate. I would like to learn his lifestyle approach to de-stressing.

Paula P. Schnurr and Bonnie L. Green, authors of Trauma and Health: Physical Heal Consequences of Exposure to Extreme Stress. These ladies would be helpful to talk to simply because their book is fascinating. Above and beyond that, Bonnie, PhD. Is Professor of Psychiatry Director, Georgetown Center for Trauma and the Community and Paula, Ph.D., is Deputy Executive Director of the VA National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acting Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. They would be good technical advisors.

Michael Murphy, Senior Program Coordinator, Team for Kids. Team for Kids establishes running-based programs that promote children’s physical fitness, character development and personal achievement in under-served communities. He may be able to give personal testimonies to explain the correlation between mental health and physical wellness.

I am interested in addressing mental health with a product or system that employs color to affect an environment. Through my research, I learned that color is a powerful force absorbed into our bodies. Not only does it stimulate our imaginations and emotions, but also our pituitary glands, skin, and nervous system—all not necessarily through the eyes. For instance, according to Edwin D. Babbitt, color therapy pioneer, blue light repels mosquitoes and was believed to cure rheumatism, yellow and orange light stimulate the nerves to supposedly cure hemorrhoids, and red light might be prescribed for paralysis or physical exhaustion. Color therapy has been used since the late 1800s, at which time color therapists identified patients’ reactions to certain colors and used exposure to those colors’ compliments to equalize the problems. I am interested in creating a self-driven product and/or system that allows the user to identify and solve his own problems through his relationship with color.

This sketch is a special gel that goes over any pair of glasses. It will come in sets of colors for mood altering needs. Need to be calm? Put on the blue gel and see the world through a relaxed lens. Hyped up? Chose red or orange. ...ect.

Experts:

J. L. Morton is a self-proclaimed color expert who consults with Fortune 500 companies on color choices. She has focused on color psychology since 1988 and has worked with clients such as Tylenol, Nokia Mobile Phones, Eastman Kodak and Dow Chemical. I would like to learn color trends and persuasion from her.

James Kaliardos, famed makeup artist. James not only knows how to do typical makeup, he can also change a person’s race, age, or face shape with just makeup. He uses color, texture, and stroke to achieve results. It would be interesting to talk to him about the correlation between color and self-image.

Lawrence Herbert, CEO of Pantone, could lend technical expertise to this project.

I am interested in addressing etiquette with a product, system, or service that is used to support, deny, or simply recognize/record the use of etiquette within a certain demographic. Through my research, I have learned that the topic “etiquette” has a vast history of specific acts and rites of passage. Through the centuries, etiquette has existed for the sole purpose of creating civilized societies by means of rules. These rules were made to create classes and give aristocracy the upper hand. Specific examples include how to pick out a men’s suit for a particular job and wardrobe, what gift the bride should give her husband on their wedding day, how to eat bacon politely, and how to plan a graceful and comfortable room. I would like to use this year to explore what etiquette means in the twenty-first century.

This sketch is of a system similar to Google's SMS system. Anyone can text a central server a question about etiquette and the central server will reply with a timely and appropriate response. Sort of like texting Abigail Van Buren but less pretentious.

Jodie R. R. Smith, president of Mannersmith, a leading etiquette consulting firm. She and her company have been featured on television, in magazines, and have published several books. I hope to learn how her company stays fresh with trends in etiquette.

Michelle Obama, first lady. It’s her job to have perfect national and international etiquette every minute of every day. She could definitely explain how she approaches touchy situations, as well as give access to her team that helps her be diplomatic 24/7.

Leslie Carlin, author of Things you need to be told : a handbook for polite behavior in a tacky, rude world! Has made a point to express the disappearance of etiquette since the 1950s. She was disgusted when this book was published in the 1970s, so I wonder how she feels now? I'd like to get her opinions on cell phones.