MyMagnolia

Role

Visual Designer

Timeline

Spring 2025

Tools

Arduino, DALL-3, ChatGPT, 3D prints, soldering copper, pressure sensors, touch sensors

Context

Developed at Wellesley College, I worked in a team of three to develop a tangible user interface to support the productivity and well-being of people who worked in mobile environments. I collaborated with my teammates to develop MyMagnolia, a flower-shaped TUI that provides multisensory feedback to help users manage stress in high-intensity remote spaces. In a time where we rely on screens, MyMagnolia helps users to pause from their work with meditative sounds, calming light features, and it serves as a floral friend. Throughout the semester, we applied an iterative process to the development of our novel tangible user interface.

Problem Statement

In a time where we rely on screens, how might we design a novel tangible user interface to support the productivity and well-being of people who work in mobile environments?

Our Solution

MyMagnolia is a flower-shaped TUI that provides multisensory feedback to help users manage stress in a remote work environment. MyMagnolia helps users to pause from their work with meditative sounds, calming light features, and serve as a floral friend.

Proposals

After considering our problem statement, we decided to ideate imagery for how our product would work, as well as how users would interact with MyMagnolia. We wanted a tangible user interface that increased positive attitudes in high stress environments, as well as looked aesthetically inviting. Originally, we wanted buttons that led to actions by MyMagnolia; however, with some feedback, we decided to have a marble drop-in feature to increase the tangible aspects of our interface.

Low-fidelity prototypes

Once we had our visual sketches and proposals, we created two low-fidelity prototypes. These were made of paper and clay, where we focused on the tangible size, interactive marble-dropping, and joyful appearance of MyMagnolia.

6Hats + Generative AI Feedback

With the help of AI Six Hats, we received feedback on how to best suit different personality types and tools using our tangible user interface. For example, the Green Hat is a creative personality, whereas blue hat is more technical.

Technical Build

After designing the low-fidelity prototype, it was time to add our sensors and create a high-fidelity prototype! We played around with pressure and weight sensors, as well as Arduino to produce sounds, 3D printing, and different materials to balance efficiency with aesthetics.

Final Prototype

Nature Sounds
When a user places a green marble on the sensor, MyMagnolia responds by playing nature sounds from a speaker inside of the pot. The act of placing the marble represents a user giving the plant nutrients and water, while the plant responds by playing calming nature sounds in response.

Ocean Sounds
When a user places a blue marble on the sensor, MyMagnolia responds by playing ocean sounds from a speaker inside of the pot.

Pop Music
When a user places a larger transparent marble on the sensor, MyMagnolia responds by playing pop music from a speaker inside of the pot. This motivates the user to have fun and take a break from studying/working.

Breathing Exercise
When a user places their hand pressure on the sensor, MyMagnolia responds by playing a breathing exercise practice for the user to pause and meditate.

Conclusion

MyMagnolia is a flower-shaped TUI that provides multisensory feedback to help users manage stress in a remote work environment. In a time where we rely on our screens, MyMagnolia supports users to pause with meditative sounds, calming light features, and serves as a floral friend.

design + planning

Laughing Fool Made Accessible