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2026 Galleries // 2026 Spark: Spring Student // BRELOW

BRELOW

Winner - Bronze

Competition: Spark: Spring Student
Designer: Jeongmin Han
Design Type: Product & industrial, UX, UI
Company / Organization / School: Hannam Design Factory
Team Members: Jeongmin Han, He-su Moon, Myeongro Joo, Jaeyeon Kim, Hyun-ah Woo, Su-ah Kim, Seunghyun Jo & Jaewon O

BRELOW is a personalized breathing training device designed to help middle-aged adults manage snoring and obstructive sleep apnea through daily oropharyngeal muscle exercise.

Many middle-aged people experience snoring, daytime fatigue, and poor sleep quality as the muscles supporting the upper airway gradually weaken with age. Although treatments such as CPAP machines are clinically effective, many users discontinue treatment because of discomfort and the difficulty of maintaining long-term use. BRELOW was developed to provide a more accessible, lifestyle-oriented alternative that encourages continuous self-management.

The device applies adjustable breathing resistance during both inhalation and exhalation, allowing users to strengthen the muscles around the upper airway through everyday training. Inspired by research on wind instrument players and respiratory muscle training, BRELOW transforms therapeutic breathing exercises into a simple and sustainable daily habit.

To provide personalized training intensity, the device first measures the user's maximum breathing pressure and recommends a target level based on individual capacity. Real-time pressure sensing, vibration feedback, and color-changing displays guide users through exhalation, rest, and inhalation phases, allowing intuitive use even without constantly checking the screen.

BRELOW is connected to a companion mobile application that supports long-term engagement. The app visualizes training records through graphs, calendars, and achievements, helping users recognize their progress over time. Character-based gamification encourages consistent participation, while a companion mode allows spouses to send reminders and supportive messages, acknowledging that sleep health often affects the entire family.

The physical design focuses on comfort, accessibility, and everyday usability. Rather than resembling a medical device, BRELOW adopts a compact cylindrical form with soft curves and a neutral color palette, allowing it to blend naturally into daily life. Replaceable mouthpieces, filters, and USB-C charging improve hygiene and convenience for long-term use.

By combining clinical insights, human-centered design, and digital engagement, BRELOW reimagines respiratory muscle training as a sustainable wellness practice. The project aims not only to improve sleep quality, but also to support healthier aging, greater daily productivity, and a better quality of life for both users and their families.