Tangible Interaction: Glimpse
Goal
Identify a phenomenon that can't be perceived with our five senses, and develop a design that converts this intangible phenomenon and output an understandable visualization.
Product
Glimpse is a product that takes data from the user and transforms it into colors and pulsing so users can better understand and perceive their emotions in real time.
Concept
The concept was to create a product that would enable users to understand their emotions and recognize emotional patterns. Glimpse was designed to be used with another person so that the bond between the two people would be strengthened as they connected over their emotions. Inside Out was an inspiration because it showed how emotions affect people and the importance of understanding our emotions.
The Japanese mirror called Yata no kagami represents one’s truest self and being honest with yourself in all aspects.
Emotions
Our emotions serve as one of the ways we perceive the world and the people around us. Every day, we express ourselves consciously and subconsciously through our emotions, and understanding them is key for fostering healthy relationships and a healthy life. While it may appear that our emotions are easy to understand and deal with, for many, stress, anxiety, and depression are hard to grasp.
Emotions are used to:
-Express Ideas
-Improve Confidence
-Foster Strong Relationships
-Create Bonds and Memories
-Appreciate the World Around Us
-Serve as Metrics for Different Experiences
-Improve Confidence
-Foster Strong Relationships
-Create Bonds and Memories
-Appreciate the World Around Us
-Serve as Metrics for Different Experiences
Audience
With the rise of opportunities abroad and the increase in long-distance relationships, Glimpse was developed for people who struggle to effectively interpret and control their emotions. Conversations relating to our emotions and the actions that have left us feeling sad, angry, or confused are not easy to start, especially with someone we care for and value. With Glimpse, users can utilize the light and pulses to understand how they feel and share it with a loved one. It can be used to learn emotional patterns, start difficult, emotionally draining conversations, or simply for internal introspection and well-being.
Ideation
Several inputs were chosen as the signs of emotional changes. The ideation process started with understanding and determining the input and output for the device, as well as how they will be represented in the tangible world. The inputs were the two sensors: GSR and HRV, while the output was the LED lights.
The ecosystem includes the pillow with the sensors embedded and the light; each light is connected to another light, and Glimpse is marketed as a pair to help couples, friends, and others emotionally connect with another person.
The matierals required for the prototype.
Visualization of the product ecosystem.
Storyboard
One example of potential users is a long-distance couple with one partner who struggles to understand, cope with, and voice their emotions. The story of Mary and Mark is a relatable example of how expressing and understanding emotions can affect everyone differently and how Glimpse can provide security and relief to many.
Mary is having a bad day, she did not do well on her math exam and she doesnt know how to deal with the shame and sadness she feel.
Right now she doesn't have the energy to start a conversation with her boyfriend, Mark, but she also wants to confide in him because she is feeling lonely.
But, what if Mary had a way to express her emotions with Mark without starting a conversation?
The solution is Glimpse!
Mary wears her Glimpse pillow and it is able to track how she is feeling and translate it to colored lighting and pulsing.
Mark has his own Glimpse lamp and is able to see how Mary is feeling, and he recognizes that the colors displayed are Mary's sadness. He is able to understand how Mary is feeling because of the patterns that are visible through long term Glimpse usage.
Mark calls Mary and they have a productive conversation about Mary's feelings.
Prototyping
Manufacturing and assembling Glimpse involved several different methods, including 3d printing, laser cutting, and circuit building with soldering. The coding was done utilizing Arduino, which made using the different sensors easy. First, the LED lights were coded to change color, then pulsing was incorporated into the code, and finally, the sensors were input, with the data translating the input from the sensors to colored lighting and pulsing.
Renders
The final lamp was 3d modeled and printed for rapid prototyping. The packaging and environment of Glimpse were also thought about.
Final Product
The final Glimpse ecosystem was fully functional, with the input from the sensors changing colors and pulse speed as different users wore the pillow.
