This project explores easing feelings of emotional distance from loved ones through ambient technology.
The biofeedback lamp conveys a loved one’s heartbeat through soft light variations, fostering a gentle and ongoing sense of connection.
Team Atisha Kudesia · Seeun Park
Artefacts Wearable Sensor Glove · Biofeedback Lamp
Duration Sept 2024 – Dec 2024 (12‑week sprint)
Tools Figma · Fusion 360 · Arduino IDE · VS Code · MQTT Explorer
This project explores easing feelings of emotional distance from loved ones through ambient technology.
The biofeedback lamp conveys a loved one’s heartbeat through soft light variations, fostering a gentle and ongoing sense of connection.
Team
Atisha Kudesia · Seeun Park
Artefacts
Wearable Sensor Glove · Biofeedback Lamp
Duration
Sept 2024 – Dec 2024 (12‑week sprint)
Tools
Figma · Fusion 360 · Arduino IDE · VS Code · MQTT Explorer · Notion · UserTesting.com · Adobe Premiere
Impact
212 visitors @ SVA ixD Open‑Studio (3 min 40 s avg dwell) · 43 % drop in self‑reported separation‑anxiety score (n = 12 pilot pairs) · NPS +54
This project explores easing feelings of emotional distance from loved ones through ambient technology.
The biofeedback lamp conveys a loved one’s heartbeat through soft light variations, fostering a gentle and ongoing sense of connection.
Team Atisha Kudesia · Seeun Park
Artefacts Wearable Sensor Glove · Biofeedback Lamp
Duration Sept 2024 – Dec 2024 (12‑week sprint)
Tools Figma · Fusion 360 · Arduino IDE · VS Code · MQTT Explorer
Context & Challenge
Adults wrestle with separation anxiety too: endless doom‑scroll checks, midnight “just text me when you’re home” pings.
Our challenge was to craft a low‑friction, always‑available reassurance channel that could ease distance anxiety without adding screens, alarms, or constant texting.
Context & Challenge
Adults wrestle with separation anxiety too: endless doom‑scroll checks, midnight “just text me when you’re home” pings.
Our challenge was to craft a low‑friction, always‑available reassurance channel that could ease distance anxiety without adding screens, alarms, or constant texting.
Context & Challenge
Adults wrestle with separation anxiety too: endless doom‑scroll checks, midnight “just text me when you’re home” pings.
Our challenge was to craft a low‑friction, always‑available reassurance channel that could ease distance anxiety without adding screens, alarms, or constant texting.
Introducing The Pulse Between Us, a sensor glove that listens to your heartbeat and a biofeedbacklamp that echoes it across any distance.
Introducing The Pulse Between Us, a sensor glove that listens to your heartbeat and a biofeedbacklamp that echoes it across any distance.
Introducing The Pulse Between Us, a sensor glove that listens to your heartbeat and a biofeedbacklamp that echoes it across any distance.
Concept Validation Prototype
Concept Validation Prototype
Before investing in custom electronics, we ran a low‑stake “heartbeat-in-a-cup” mock‑up using a NeoPixel LED strip and a microcontroller.
This helped us validate technical feasibility (power, animation control) and explore how light could evoke a heartbeat-like rhythm.
Concept Validation
(Psychotherapist Conversations)
Concept Validation
(Psychotherapist Conversations)
Concept Validation (Potential‑Customer Sessions)
Six semi‑structured interviews with 4 psychotherapists & 2 clinical psychologists.
Six semi‑structured interviews with 4 psychotherapists & 2 clinical psychologists.
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Tangible heartbeat feedback calms separation anxiety.
Potential Benefits
Over-reliance risks tech dependency and panic on failure.
Clinical Concerns
Deploy the device only within CBT protocols and schedule device‑free breaks.
Recommendations
Concept Validation
(Potential Customer Sessions)
Concept Validation
(Potential Customer Sessions)
Concept Validation (Potential‑Customer Sessions)
Two rounds of user interviews and diary studies with 10 potential customer pairs (8 long‑distance couples and 2 parent‑child pairs)
Two rounds of user interviews and diary studies with 10 potential customer pairs (8 long‑distance couples and 2 parent‑child pairs)
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Parent with freshman in dorms
Student muted phone to study, parent’s unanswered texts spiked anxiety.
Partner with cardiac arrhythmia history
Rapid heart‑rate spikes triggered alarm when mapped to flashing reds.
Roommate environment
Bright LEDs disturbed co‑sleepers
Too many card types created confusion and rule referencing.
Late‑night video calls led to sleep disruption and battery drain.
Key Design Principles
Key Design Principles
Constraint as Catalyst
Translating pulse into colour gives anxious minds trustworthy evidence
Presence without intrusion
Ambient light should provide comforting awareness without demanding attention.
Calm over alarm
Slow and gradual light changes are far more soothing than sudden flashes or sharp shifts.
Respect circadian quiet
Ambient light should automatically dim and desaturate.
Design Journey
Design Journey
Our development cycle followed a standard build–test–iterate loop.
Each prototype surfaced concrete usability or engineering issues, which we resolved before the next round.
Below is a concise record of those iterations, framed by the technical focus of each milestone.
Our development cycle followed a standard build–test–iterate loop. Each prototype surfaced concrete usability or engineering issues, which we resolved before the next round.
Below is a concise record of those iterations, framed by the technical focus of each milestone.
The Lamp: Envisioning a Sunset, not a Valentine
The Lamp: Envisioning a Sunset, not a Valentine
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
A lamp with a dome-like shape with a lattice or waffle-like pattern.
A lamp with a dome-like shape with a lattice or waffle-like pattern.
A lamp with a dome-like shape with a lattice or waffle-like pattern.
Feedback: Users perceived the lamp as novelty décor, not a calming object.
Revision
Revision
Revision
Adopted a semi‑circular MDF arc with a gradient diffuser that simulates the setting sun through colour falloff.
Adopted a semi‑circular MDF arc with a gradient diffuser that simulates the setting sun through colour falloff.
Adopted a semi‑circular MDF arc with a gradient diffuser that simulates the setting sun through colour falloff.
Finding the Right Glow
Finding the Right Glow
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
We experimented with a range of materials to observe how they interacted with projected light and affected diffusion, color, and mood.
We experimented with a range of materials to observe how they interacted with projected light and affected diffusion, color, and mood.
We experimented with a range of materials to observe how they interacted with projected light and affected diffusion, color, and mood.
Observation: Holographic film produced hotspots and excessive brightness (1,200 lux at 30 cm).
Revision
Revision
Revision
We replaced the holographic film with frosted acrylic and layered tracing paper to soften the projection.
We replaced the holographic film with frosted acrylic and layered tracing paper to soften the projection.
We replaced the holographic film with frosted acrylic and layered tracing paper to soften the projection.
Teaching the Lamp to Breathe
Teaching the Lamp to Breathe
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
Mapping heartbeats to light that spoke both biology and perception, so we iterated alongside user observation.
Mapping heartbeats to light that spoke both biology and perception, so we iterated alongside user observation.
Feedback: Early iterations mapped >100 BPM to flashing reds, which users interpreted as alarm signals.
Revision
Revision
Compressed BPM range to 50–100 and shifted palette from warm gold (resting) to cool teal (elevated), and mplemented a 5 s sine‑wave fade (≈6 breaths/min) for biofeedback alignment.
Compressed BPM range to 50–100 and shifted palette from warm gold (resting) to cool teal (elevated), and mplemented a 5 s sine‑wave fade (≈6 breaths/min) for biofeedback alignment.
From Breadboard to Handshake
From Breadboard to Handshake
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
Initial Concept
Comfort and reliability drove every tweak of the input device, turning a lab sensor into a friendly everyday object.
Comfort and reliability drove every tweak of the input device, turning a lab sensor into a friendly everyday object.
Feedback: Exposed wires and breadboard created a clinical look and inconsistent sensor contact.
Revision
Revision
Revision
Revision
Revision
Revision
We carved a small cedar holder for the finger, placed the MAX30102 sensor inside it so it sat flat, and hid the wires inside using a JST connector.
For the wearable part, we used a stretchy glove with a layer of soft felt underneath, which made it fit better for different finger sizes (tested with 8 people).
We carved a small cedar holder for the finger, placed the MAX30102 sensor inside it so it sat flat, and hid the wires inside using a JST connector.
For the wearable part, we used a stretchy glove with a layer of soft felt underneath, which made it fit better for different finger sizes (tested with 8 people).
We carved a small cedar holder for the finger, placed the MAX30102 sensor inside it so it sat flat, and hid the wires inside using a JST connector.
For the wearable part, we used a stretchy glove with a layer of soft felt underneath, which made it fit better for different finger sizes (tested with 8 people).
Exhibit Way‑finding & On‑Stand UX
Exhibit Way‑finding & On‑Stand UX
Exhibit Way‑finding & On‑Stand UX
At our December 2024 SVA ixD Open‑Studio exhibition, we split the gallery into two mirror zones to dramatize the lamp’s promise of collapsing distance.
At our December 2024 SVA ixD Open‑Studio exhibition, we split the gallery into two mirror zones to dramatize the lamp’s promise of collapsing distance.
Entrance Signage
We welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.” This set the emotional premise before any technical explanation.
Overview board
It distilled the problem and promise in plain language, helping even non‑designers grasp the intent in under 30 seconds.
Setup Guidelines
We walked visitors through connection steps, eliminating most onboarding questions heard during early pilots. Additionally, it ensured reliable sensor contact, boosting valid‑read success from 68 % to 92 %.
The Pulse‑to‑Color BPM Guide
It taught users how hue mapped to physiology, helping them self‑calibrate anxiety responses.
Entrance Signage
We welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.” This set the emotional premise before any technical explanation.
Overview board
It distilled the problem and promise in plain language, helping even non‑designers grasp the intent in under 30 seconds.
Setup Guidelines
We walked visitors through connection steps, eliminating most onboarding questions heard during early pilots. Additionally, it ensured reliable sensor contact, boosting valid‑read success from 68 % to 92 %.
The Pulse‑to‑Color BPM Guide
It taught users how hue mapped to physiology, helping them self‑calibrate anxiety responses.
Entrance Signage
We welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.” This set the emotional premise before any technical explanation.
Overview board
It distilled the problem and promise in plain language, helping even non‑designers grasp the intent in under 30 seconds.
Setup Guidelines
We walked visitors through connection steps, eliminating most onboarding questions heard during early pilots. Additionally, it ensured reliable sensor contact, boosting valid‑read success from 68 % to 92 %.
The Pulse‑to‑Color BPM Guide
It taught users how hue mapped to physiology, helping them self‑calibrate anxiety responses.
Entrance Signage
We welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.” This set the emotional premise before any technical explanation.
Overview board
It distilled the problem and promise in plain language, helping even non‑designers grasp the intent in under 30 seconds.
Setup Guidelines
We walked visitors through connection steps, eliminating most onboarding questions heard during early pilots. Additionally, it ensured reliable sensor contact, boosting valid‑read success from 68 % to 92 %.
The Pulse‑to‑Color BPM Guide
It taught users how hue mapped to physiology, helping them self‑calibrate anxiety responses.
Entrance Signage
We welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.” This set the emotional premise before any technical explanation.
Overview board
It distilled the problem and promise in plain language, helping even non‑designers grasp the intent in under 30 seconds.
Setup Guidelines
We walked visitors through connection steps, eliminating most onboarding questions heard during early pilots.
Entrance Signage welcomed guests with a concise challenge—“Transform your heartbeat into light.”
The Pulse‑to‑Color BPM Guide
It taught users how hue mapped to physiology, helping them self‑calibrate anxiety responses.
Reflections
Quiet > Clever. Participants preferred the sub‑300 lux "breathing" glow to any flashy biometric visualization. Restraint—both in hue palette and motion curve—proved more persuasive than novelty.
Form Follows Wiring. Clean cable routing guided the lamp’s semi‑circular MDF frame, magnet‑held joints, and internal light‑leak baffles—turning engineering constraints into deliberate aesthetic features rather than compromises.
Narrative Is Part of UX. Splitting the room into Brooklyn and Bangalore zones did more than theme the space—it primed visitors to feel distance before witnessing its collapse. Storytelling amplified the hardware’s emotional value.
Metrics With Meaning. Cutting anxiety scores by 43 % means little unless users feel safer. The diary study confirmed that the glow translated into fewer late‑night check‑ins and improved sleep scores—a reminder to pair numbers with lived experience.
Reflections
Quiet > Clever. Participants preferred the sub‑300 lux "breathing" glow to any flashy biometric visualization. Restraint—both in hue palette and motion curve—proved more persuasive than novelty.
Form Follows Wiring. Clean cable routing guided the lamp’s semi‑circular MDF frame, magnet‑held joints, and internal light‑leak baffles—turning engineering constraints into deliberate aesthetic features rather than compromises.
Narrative Is Part of UX. Splitting the room into Brooklyn and Bangalore zones did more than theme the space—it primed visitors to feel distance before witnessing its collapse. Storytelling amplified the hardware’s emotional value.
Metrics With Meaning. Cutting anxiety scores by 43 % means little unless users feel safer. The diary study confirmed that the glow translated into fewer late‑night check‑ins and improved sleep scores—a reminder to pair numbers with lived experience.
Reflections
Quiet > Clever. Participants preferred the sub‑300 lux "breathing" glow to any flashy biometric visualization. Restraint—both in hue palette and motion curve—proved more persuasive than novelty.
Form Follows Wiring. Clean cable routing guided the lamp’s semi‑circular MDF frame, magnet‑held joints, and internal light‑leak baffles—turning engineering constraints into deliberate aesthetic features rather than compromises.
Narrative Is Part of UX. Splitting the room into Brooklyn and Bangalore zones did more than theme the space—it primed visitors to feel distance before witnessing its collapse. Storytelling amplified the hardware’s emotional value.
Metrics With Meaning. Cutting anxiety scores by 43 % means little unless users feel safer. The diary study confirmed that the glow translated into fewer late‑night check‑ins and improved sleep scores—a reminder to pair numbers with lived experience.