Huggle Collection

Comfort through Touch

Huggle is a collection of soft 4D-printed textile pieces that transform everyday fabrics into tools for stress relief. By printing shape-changing structures on pre-stretched textiles, the pieces invite pressing, bouncing, or squeezing, offering subtle sensory interactions that ground the body without drawing attention. Rather than seeing fidgeting as a nervous habit, Huggle reframes it as a calming ritual that blends naturally into daily life.

From Exploration to Collection

Over two years of research-through-making shaped the Huggle Collection into its final form. The project began with a library of more than sixty experimental samples, which were gradually refined through cycles of user research. Participants were engaged at multiple stages — from early rankings of material qualities, to interviews and hands-on evaluations of prototypes, and finally revisiting the collection to compare progress over time. Testing with both new and returning participants revealed how fidgeting behaviors evolve, what tactile qualities are most comforting, and how designs can integrate seamlessly into the home. These insights guided the transition from raw experiments into a coherent collection of textile “charms” that balance tactile satisfaction, durability, and elegance.

Everyday Rituals

Huggle pieces attach as decorative elements on blankets or cushions, or can be carried as small companions, integrating stress relief into the rhythm of daily life. Their soft presence and sculptural shapes allow them to be both functional and elegant — inviting to the touch yet subtle in the environment. At Dutch Design Week, visitors are encouraged to explore the collection hands-on, experiencing how comfort can emerge from something as simple as touch.