Many students begin their day in a rush. Their phone as the first stimulus, with little attention to how they actually feel. In a life full of deadlines, performance pressure and constant screen time, there is rarely space for calm or reflection in the morning.
This graduation project explores how technology can support a more mindful start to the day. Not by doing more, but by creating space for less.
My central question was: How can we support students in recognizing their emotional state upon waking, in an accessible way, so they can begin the day with greater awareness and ease?
Over the course of my research, I explored several design approaches — from dream-inspired music apps to reflective installations. This process ultimately led to a physical, intuitive, and screen-free object: a wake-up device designed as part of a personal evening and morning ritual.
Its use is simple: in the evening, you set your current mood using a tactile dial. The next morning, you are woken by a sound tailored to your previous night’s mood, followed by a short affirmation displayed on a small screen. This creates a brief moment of reflection before the day truly begins.
Built with Arduino, the design is compact and guided by principles of calmness and simplicity. Students reported that the physical interaction felt pleasant and meaningful, precisely because it required no cognitive effort.
With this project, I demonstrate that technology can be soft and supportive. No overload of data or notifications, but just a small moment of connection with yourself.
