ANXIETY HEART

A reactive artifact that visualizes emotional states—making stress tangible, trackable, and shareable.

Overview

This project explores physical computing and interactive emotional design. Using Arduino, a proximity sensor, and a NeoPixel light ring, I created a heart-shaped lamp that reacts to human presence by gradually increasing light and sound. The goal was to turn an internal feeling into something visible, responsive, and easier to interpret.

MY ROLE

This was a fully independent piece, and I handled every stage of the work:

Designing the heart model and creating the 3D form
Coding the sensor logic and NeoPixel light behavior
Wiring and assembling the electronic components
Building a laser-cut stand to hide the hardware
Preparing the final documentation and presentation

INSPIRATION

PROBLEM

Emotions like anxiety can be hard to communicate. They often remain internal and difficult for others to recognize or understand. I wanted to create a way to make emotional presence more visible and easier to interpret in a simple, noninvasive format.

OUTCOME

The Anxiety Heart externalizes emotion through interaction. As someone approaches, the lamp gradually increases its light and sound, making the emotional state feel real and perceptible. The design transforms something abstract into something observable, helping people better understand emotional presence in a calm and expressive way.