Haven Kit: leaving home for the first time
- Students
-
Mahshad Berenjian
- ECTS-point
- 15
- Education
- Master
- Subject area
- Industrial Design
- Focus area
- Design for People
- Year
- 2025
- Education project type
- Course
- Semester
- 2 semester
- Course title
- Empathy & Equity
- Course instructors
- Kathrina Dankl, Canan Akoglu
How can design bring emotional warmth and a sense of presence, without over-relying on screens?
Leaving home for the first time can be exciting but also deeply emotional. Many students experience loneliness. How can design bring emotional warmth and a sense of presence, without over-relying on screens? A SIMPLE, INTERACTIVE RITUAL KIT THAT HELPS STUDENTS CREATE ROUTINES TO EMOTIONALLY GROUND THEMSELVES.
What we learned: Emotions like disconnection and longing were often felt physically (e.g., tight chest, heavy arms). Participants wanted gentle, repeatable ways to cope, something personal and calming.
How it shaped the design:
I introduced rituals: simple, meaningful actions. Each ritual is tied to a body point, where emotions are commonly felt, creating a physical and emotional connection.
How It Works: Identify where you feel discomfort; Choose the matching pin; Pick a ritual card to respond to that emotion; (Optional) Reflect in the notebook.
