soffio is an inflatable face shield that allows for safe social interaction

the world continues to see devastating effects from the COVID-19 pandemic but also creative and ingenious projects aiming to help us adapt to this new normal. designers around the world are joining the fight against the upcoming economic crisis with practical solutions that allow business to stay afloat. that is the case of soffio, an inflatable protective face shield by MARGstudio, alessio casciano design, and angeletti ruzza design studio that allows to spend convivial time with friends at restaurants and pubs.

annalisa grasselli, head of  MARGstudio, teamed up with colleagues alessio casciano and daniele ruzza to design soffio — ‘blow’ or ‘puff’ in italian. the inflatable face shield is composed of a protective plastic visor and a colorful frame that can be easily assembled and worn allowing to dine or have a drink with friends. the design — which could cost less than 1euro — comes in a flat pack and could be provided by the bar or restaurant owner at the entrance. after leaving the crowded space, customers can bring it home, wash and sanitize it, so they can use it again.

‘the idea was born after many of our clients — mostly bar and restaurant owners — asked us to think of safe, practical and appealing interior design solutions to keep their business running in a protected way,’ comments annalisa grasselli. ‘I saw proposals for expensive, difficult to maintain and ugly plexiglass mazes separating costumers like inmates when they have visits. those solutions kill the conviviality customers are looking for when they wish to spend quality time with their friends.’

soffio creates a 180-degree protective barrier which allows individuals to eat and dine while blocking the droplet effect and maintaining visual and hearing contact with nearby people. the inflatable structure protects also against collisions with other objects or heads, in a funny way. soffio is made entirely of PVC with electronic welding techniques. it could be built also with recyclable plastic.

to use soffio, just inflate it and place the elastic band around your head. the blowing valve, located inside the mask, is protected from contagion. the device is extremely light and inexpensive, and can be branded. the inflatable solution has a tongue-in-cheek imprint, recalling the inflatables we won’t be able to play with this summer.