FIELD:

Strategy & Service Design

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.

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  • Fragmented, outdated service experiences lead to mistrust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

Designing across disciplines
— digital, spatial, and beyond.

hb2905@nyu.edu

All rights reserved

Han Bao ©2025

Designing across disciplines
— digital, spatial, and beyond.

hb2905@nyu.edu

All rights reserved

Han Bao ©2025

Designing across disciplines
— digital, spatial, and beyond.

hb2905@nyu.edu

All rights reserved, Han Bao ©2025