SUMMARY
In order to help our partnered brand– Chilewich– connect to a younger audience, we began by looking at the disconnect between the new target demographic and Chilewich. Through this research we found that the brand’s offerings weren’t able to fit into their lives, they didn’t have the need for the products the same way as their counterparts who were more established in their home. From this we found a way to incorporate one of Chilewich’s main products– the placemat– into a transportable mat. By partnering with Aesop as an initial point of introduction, we highlight the mat’s ability to create ritual and a sense of home wherever you go.
challenge
We identified a key gap in how users experience daily wellness routines—especially in temporary, shared, or cluttered spaces. Stakeholders expressed a need for both visual clarity and emotional grounding in their skincare rituals. Aesop’s brand values support deep, personal engagement, yet their product touch points end at the bottle. Chilewich, known for tactile innovation, lacked resonance with younger, wellness-minded consumers. The opportunity: to co-create a design object that’s functional, portable, and emotionally resonant—bridging wellness and design through storytelling and routine.
Outcome
We developed the Interlude Mat, a portable, woven textile with pockets and a tie-strap—designed to structure and elevate personal rituals. The mat blends Aesop’s sensory values and Chilewich’s durability to meet user needs for clarity, intention, and beauty in everyday moments. Through journey mapping, interviews, and field feedback, we validated its use as both a home and travel companion. The outcome directly addresses gaps in brand engagement, user ritualization, and consumer connection through functional design.
MEET THE Designers:
Zoë Waechter
Trishika Singla
Xiran Tang