Qu Zhan, a PhD student under the supervision of Chair Professor John Xin, has been awarded Silver Prize in the Conceptual Design category of the American MUSE Design Awards, an internationally acclaimed competition that honours creativity, originality, and excellence in design worldwide.
The award-winning project "Acupoint Choreography Technology (ACT) Wearable Garment" explores the integration of traditional Chinese meridian (TCM) theory with Yin Yoga through programmable multi-sensory choreography, with the aim to unlock deeper therapeutic and expressive potential. The project has led to the development of Synergistic Movement Architecture, which combines targeted acupoint stimulation, meridian-aligned Yin Yoga, and technology-driven choreography. By connecting limb energy conduction design with a neuroaesthetic feedback layer, the system intuitively guides dancers into meridian-led flow states during improvisation, thereby enhancing movement intentionality, interoceptive clarity, and kinaesthetic awareness. This approach opens new pathways for applications in health, wellness, and rehabilitation.
This recognition not only affirms the innovative vision of the ACT project but also underscores its role in advancing smart wearable technology through a meaningful dialogue between traditional wisdom and contemporary design.
