BeneFoot – a dynamic footrest design
Ruth Weng
“Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.” – Charles Eames
Problem Space
Many people in the current age sit at a desk for several hours a day, and this sedentary lifestyle is more harmful than people think. Studies say that there are many health concerns of sitting for too long and from lack of exercise, including lack of blood circulation in the legs, high blood pressure, and more. A new study finds that sitting still is linked to a higher risk of depression among teens. A study with 10 381 participants done by the SUN cohort, associated a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity with a higher risk of developing a mental health disorder.
Opportunity
Recently, people have been working remotely now more than ever before. According to an article, 51% of employed Americans have transitioned to working from home during the pandemic. A vast amount of people are now forced to provide and receive education remotely. I believe that individuals of all ages will need to have some “joy” and “energy” sparkled in their workplaces to help with their productivity and concentration.
Objectives
This project explores different methods to encourage fitness movements and fidgeting at a desk to improve physical and mental health, by creating a portable interactive object that is convenient to use, and is suitable for a workplace environment. The goal is to create a modern design that encourages activeness under the desk, allowing users to fidget and relieve stress. The aesthetics should be suitable for an indoor work space environment, and it will be designed with a sustainable and universal approach with core values in mind.
ROCK. The user rests both feet on the BeneFoot’s edge tilting it to a comfortable angle, gently rocking back and forth. The rocking motion is associated with relaxation, which helps stressed users to ease their mind and spirit in the work space. The ankle movement also promotes flexibility and resilience in the ankles. 
FIDGET. User becomes stressed and restless because of a deadline coming up so they flip over to the other side to fidget with the massage rollers. By pressing and rolling their foot on the bumps of the wheels. pressure is applied on reflex points under the feet which helps promote blood circulation, and relaxation in the body.
MASSAGE. Time flies by and the user’s body including the leg muscles become stiff. The massage roller can be easily removed from the BeneFoot to use separately by pushing in and twisting the handle to lock the spring mechanism that holds it tight in place. 
MASSAGE. Sphere rollers can be used actively on it’s own and roll freely on the BeneFoot under the control of the user.
Approach
My approach was to create an interactive footrest designed to enhance the quality and comfort of sitting at a work desk environment by encouraging “dynamic sitting” and fidgeting to increase physical and mental health benefits.
Personalize your experience!
The customizable fidgeting rollers spin loosely so that users can selectively use the roller of their choice to target different areas of the feet. The three different types of rollers provides a range of intensity of massage experience. Personalization encourages users to form an emotional relationship with the object and cherish it timelessly.
The BeneFoot is designed so that the natural material choices such as Rubber Birch plywood, White Aspen wood, Walnut veneer, and Linoleum would be sustainable and friendly to the environment. Aspen wood is known for making genetically identical trees, called clones, which enables them to populate quickly.
Compared to the common plastic and metal footrests, this entirely wood-crafted product reduces plastic pollution in the process, and the wood can be biodegraded back into nature at the end of its lifecycle. The simplicity of the shapes and repeating forms reduces and simplifies the manufacturing process.
With careful consideration for longevity and sustainability, it’s functions promote emotional connection and is cherished by the users. It can easily be passed down, sold, donated or recycled to avoid landfill or incineration at the end of its life.
