FIELD:
Strategic｜Human-Centered｜Service Design｜Wellness
CLIENT:
Personal Project
TEAM:
Han Bao
YEAR:
2023
Cupink
about.
After COVID-19, people became more aware of their physical well-being, yet traditional Chinese cupping lacks a sustainable service model. Cupink reimagines the cupping experience to address changing body conditions and sub-health, blending treatment with the aesthetics of ink painting to make the process more engaging.
story.
We first conducted a survey with 152 participants, 86% of whom were aged 18–40. Among them, 63% had tried cupping, most commonly at health centers (67%) and bath centers (55%). Participants’ main motivations were curiosity (69%) and feeling unwell (67%), with additional influences from recommendations (36%) and discounts or events (34%). While 29% believed cupping is obviously effective, 54% said it is effective but not obvious, and 17% believed it is ineffective. Among those who had never tried cupping, the top reasons were lack of need (26%), not knowing where to go (21%), fear (21%), and distrust or lack of knowledge about the effects (16% each). A majority (60%) responded positively when seeing cupping marks on others.
Many people turn to cupping for relief when feeling physically unwell. Yet the experience often feels unclear and fragmented. Most users rely on word of mouth, with little understanding of the process or its effects. They lie down, relax, and receive treatment in silence.
While the body responds, the mind remains disconnected, with minimal explanation or cultural context. Afterward, the marks fade, and so does the memory of the experience. What users truly need is not just temporary relief but also trust, clarity, and a sense of connection throughout the healing journey.
detail.
User Needs
Desire for relief from physical discomfort and sub-health
Lack of understanding around cupping procedures and effects
Fragmented, outdated service experiences lead to mistrust
Younger users seek cultural relevance and emotional engagement
Post-COVID awareness calls for more holistic, transparent wellness journeys
Service Flow: User → App/Workshop Reservation → Cupping Experience → Cultural Visualization + Healing Process → Trust + Long-term Engagement
Key Features
A redesigned cupping service system that integrates health tracking, emotional resonance, and cultural aesthetics
Ink painting metaphor transforms cupping marks into visual narratives, strengthening emotional memory
On-site & digital experiences including workshops, sound, AR overlays, and storytelling
Personalized care journeys that respond to user’s body status (e.g., sub-health, menstruation, stress)
Certificate system for trusted practitioners, improving industry standardization and user trust
Strategic Thinking
Reframed traditional Chinese cupping as a future-forward wellness service for post-pandemic health culture
Identified the gap between clinical experience and user emotion, using metaphor-driven design to restore connection
Developed a multi-touchpoint service model combining treatment, education, aesthetics, and personalization
Proposed a long-term ecosystem of cultural health services, integrating physical sites, workshops, and digital extensions
