Case Study
✳︎
Interaction Design
Case Study ✳︎ Interaction Design
A tactile stress companion designed to help people understand and regulate emotional patterns through touch, adaptive resistance, warmth, and connected insights.
Young adults experience increasing levels of stress and emotional fatigue. Most stress-management tools rely on screens, apps, or passive tracking rather than physical interaction. People often need a simple, tactile way to release stress and understand their emotional patterns.
Empathy Research
People are curious about when and why they feel stressed, but don’t always have the tools to recognize those patterns.
Many people naturally squeeze objects, fidget, or hold something when they feel anxious.
Wellness technology should feel calming and simple rather than demanding constant attention.
What users think and feel
“I feel overwhelmed during busy days.”
“I wish I understood why my stress changes.”
What users do
Fidget with objects
Check their phones frequently
Look for quick ways to relax
Product Concept
ARCStone is an interactive stress companion that responds to touch.
Key features:
Adaptive resistance
Warm stone mode
Stress sensing through grip and pulse
Insights through the ARC mobile app
Heart Rate Tracking
The stone works both as a smart device and a simple tactile stress object.
Audience
Gen Z and young adults (ages 20–30)
Issues
High levels of daily stress and burnout
Constant exposure to digital devices
Growing interest in wellness and emotional awareness
Desire for tools that feel calming rather than overwhelming
Empathy Map
What users say
“I just need something to help me calm down.”
“I wish I knew what triggers my stress.”
What users need
Simple stress relief
Emotional awareness
Technology that feels supportive, not intrusive
