The concept of Tea Harmony in Chaos emerged from the idea of blending the serenity of traditional tea ceremonies with modern technology to create an interactive and mindful experience. Drawing inspiration from Apple’s Think Different ethos and the principles of minimalism, we aimed to design a system that is simple yet powerful, hiding the complexity of sensors and electronics while preserving an authentic, easy-to-understand experience.

Our design decisions were heavily influenced by how users would interact with the project. The use of ultrasonic, tilt, and touch sensors facilitated a guided, step-by-step tea preparation ritual. The project encourages users to engage both visually and physically with the tea-making process. During user testing, we encountered challenges with the tilt sensor being overly sensitive. This led us to fine-tune its responsiveness, ensuring a seamless interaction that enhanced, rather than disrupted, the user’s focus. Feedback also revealed that the LED strip, integrated to provide rhythm and visual cues, added a layer of fun and meditation, affirming its role as a vital component in the experience.

Lumi Sense project emerged from insights gained in previous projects in my Interaction Lab course, especially an interactive wearable project. This prior experience introduced me to ultrasonic sensors and their potential for user engagement through proximity-based interaction, a concept that became central to Lumi Sense. In creating Lumi Sense, I aimed to design an everyday object—a light box—that went beyond simple functionality by adding interactive elements. What makes Lumi Sense unique is its integration of sound and sensor-based responses, transforming it into a tool that’s both practical and entertaining. Unlike typical light boxes, which effects, Lumi Sense allows users to actively interact with it, adding a layer of engagement that makes it feel alive and responsive. This project is intended for teenagers and office workers, groups that often seek ways to enhance their environments with devices that are both functional and enjoyable. Lumi Sense provides these users with a customizable experience, allowing them to control the lighting and music to suit their mood or setting. Through this project, I aimed to create a product that offers something unique to its audience—an interactive experience that goes beyond aesthetics and function.

"As people increasingly rely on digital interactions and virtual experiences, face-to-face communication and real-world relationships are suffering."

Our product is a dining table with phone detection. Phones are one of the biggest distractions for us, and we want to make sure we create something to reduce screen time. The family dining table is also where communication occurs, so this product basically forces everyone in the family to focus and will "punish" them if they pick up their phone.