VAYU

This project reimagines the Thai Balm Inhaler, an object of reverence in Thailand for its medicinal and herbal properties.

Used to remedy vertigo and allergies, this fully organic solution is now more prevalent than ever - but the design doesn’t fully meet its ergonomic potential

Responsibilities:

Industrial Designer

UX & UI Designer

Tools:

Figma

Autodesk Fusion

Keyshot

Vizcom AI

Results:

High Fidelity prototype

Manufacture-Ready plans

A THAI BALM INHALER?

Thai people have been using the balm inhaler, colloquially known as “yadom”, (ยาดม) since at least 1936, and further back in 1894 by royalty.

With a basis in Chinese medicine, the yadom is a staple of Thai tropical culture. Its relaxing nature has provided Thais with a relief from the intense tropical heat for centuries. Not only that, but it also is widely used as a cure for vertigo and heatstrokes, providing instant relief through the medicinal properties of various herbs such as Borenol, Camphor and Eucalyptus

A GLOBAL RISE

In recent times, yadom has become more and more popular with foreigners as Thailand skyrockets to the top of the tourism industry, and its culture permeating through the rest of the world. Yadom has recently taken a global stage, with many global stars championing it on the biggest stages across entertainment, sport and tourism.

LISA of K-Pop Girl Group BLACKPINK, a global star, has been seen using yadom regularly throughout Korea and worldwide events, skyrocketing its popularity

“Fang” Theerapong famously claimed 2 sliver medals in powerlifting at the Paris Olympics 2024 after using yadom in lieu of smelling salts before his third, medal winning clean and jerk.

Chris Hemsworth speaking positively of yadom after being introduced to it in a Thai Netflix shoot

WHAT’S OUT THERE?

Poy Sian branded Inhaler

Hong Thai branded inhaler

Poy-Sian is a slim and highly popular option in Thailand for this kind of balm inhaler due to its slimmer profile and moderate strength. Users hold it up to within 1cm of their nose and inhale as normal, where air will pass through a layer of eucalyptus oil and enter through the nose, carrying its medicinal benefits

Hong Thai has thrown itself into prevalence in the recent years, completely overpowering the nose with the strength of the herbs in a small plastic jar. The design has since become iconic as a mainstay of Thai pockets and purses, owing to the increased heat and pollution in Bangkok and many parts of Thailand. It features a jar full of herbs that emanate the smell and provides no air circulation.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

PERCEPTION.

Despite its global presence being amplified, Yadom is still viewed as a foreign object to many outside of Thailand. Bringing it to the US, the jar is mistaken for drugs or an unknown substance, with tests showing that the initial impressions remain neutral to negative.

“What’s that, I thought it was drugs”

“When I first saw it, I thought it looked weird”

There have been documented cases of these inhalers being confiscated at airports for looking suspicious at airports, often at countries who ban substances such as marijuana from entering the country.

HYGEINE.

Due to its organic nature, yadom, specifically Hong Thai, is often prone to mold particulates accumulating due to a lack of ventilation and misuse, with many cases of mold particles being found in the lungs of Thai consumers - showing poor design and its implications on its users.