Surroundings

A Smart System for Healthy Rhythms

During this project, I collaborated with SCAD studio teammates to design and develop a smart home system concept integrating IoT devices, biometric tracking, and ambient technology.


My role encompassed user research, MVP prototyping to assess the impact of light, sound, and habit-forming technology on circadian rhythms, as well as product rendering and final packaging design.

Role


UX Research

Product Design

Product Renders

Packaging


Space


Consumer Technology


Tools


Miro

Figma

Rhino 3D

KeyShot Render


Date


Fall 2022


Problem Statement


Modern lifestyles have disrupted natural circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue, decreased focus, and unhealthy habits. With excessive screen time, irregular sleep patterns, and constant digital distractions, users struggle to maintain a balanced, present-focused life. Surroundings addresses these challenges by providing an intelligent system that fosters rhythmically healthier routines.

Our goal is to helps users towards less technology-dependent, and rhythmically healthier lives.

Our Solution

Surroundings is an innovative smart system designed to help users cultivate healthy habits, boost energy levels, and regulate internal rhythms.


By integrating intentional light, sound, and natural language prompts, Surroundings creates a holistic approach to well-being that gradually shifts users away from technology dependence and passive living.

Mobile App



An onboarding platform that helps users create intentional activities, track their progress, and customize their wellness journey.

Envo Ambient Display


Adapts to users’ environments, utilizing therapeutic lighting techniques to regulate circadian rhythms.

Inter Ring



A wearable smart ring that track biometric data and offers subtle haptic and sonic alerts to guide users back to healthy routines.

Train Healthy Habits

Boost Your Energy

Correct Your Rhythms

Biometric Activity

Screentime & Pickups

Mood

Overall

Presense Score

Today

9:41

Seamlessly Connect and Configure Your Device

Swipe Up To Begin

Find a central location in your home where you can be visually alerted by the light emitted from Envo.

9:41

Next, select a Color

Energetic

Info

9:41

Close your eyes, and take a deeep breath.

Continue

Bypass

9:41

Biometric Activity

Screentime & Pickups

Mood

Overall

Presense Score

Today

9:41

Find Balance and Track Your Mindfulness Journey

Cultivate Daily Awareness and Healthy Habits

Environment Changed...

Supress

Continue

Pause

9:41

Right Now, Today.

Do your laundry, and listen to the new Drake & 21 Savage Album, Her Loss.

Go for a run with Bennett in 30 minutes around Forsyth Park.

Remember to yell at your students when they walk in late.

9:41

Impact & Potential

Surroundings empowers individuals to reclaim control over their daily routines, fostering a lifestyle that prioritizes presence and well-being. By addressing the root causes of circadian disruption and excessive screen exposure, this system holds promise for enhancing mental health, productivity, and overall quality of life.



This is a movement toward a healthier, more intentional way of living. By blending smart technology with behavioral science, it offers users a path to balance, energy, and presence in an increasingly distracted world.

Process Timeline

Identify User Problem

Analyze


Define

Design

Solutions

Ideate

Prototype

User Test

Understand the Market

Research Competitors

Defining Product Direction


Generate Concepts

Create MVP Concept

User Test (Environmental/Physical)

Visual & Branding Design

UI & Product Design

Product Renders

Package Design


Conducted environment tests to refine product scenarios.

Verified MVP design through iterative user testing methods.

Applied biometric data insights to enhance user health outcomes

Validation

Optimized form, function, and material selection.

Developed high-fidelity 3D models of the product and its packaging.

Created realistic renders and prototypes to visualize design intent.

Prototyping

Gained valuable insights into the intersection of technology, human behavior, and design.

Having 3D assets pushed me to think about the product beyond its digital interface.

This project reinforced the importance of designing with the intentionality and scalability in mind.

Reflection

Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into the intersection of technology, human behavior, and design. Balancing functionality with user experience was a key challenge, particularly when integrating IoT elements with intuitive interactions. Iterative prototyping played a crucial role in refining the system, allowing me to test and validate how light, sound, and biometric tracking influenced user behavior.


Collaboration with my team was instrumental in shaping the final outcome. By combining user research with technical feasibility, we crafted a solution that not only enhances circadian rhythms but also encourages a mindful, present lifestyle. Additionally, working on 3D modeling and packaging pushed me to think about the product beyond its digital interface—considering materials, sustainability, and the tactile experience.


This project reinforced the importance of designing with intentionality and scalability in mind, ensuring that the system could adapt to diverse user needs. Moving forward, I see potential for further development, such as AI-driven personalization and expanded mental health applications. Overall, this experience deepened my understanding of how design can meaningfully shape daily habits and well-being.

Surroundings’ Awards

EUROPEAN

PRODUCT

DESIGN

AWARD

2023 Discovery of the Year

2023 Student Winner

2023 Shortlist Winner

UX, Interface & Navigation

Branding for Electronics

Branding for Interior

Branding for Technology

Branding for Services - Other

Product or Gadget for Social Change

Product or Gadget Design

Integrated Graphic Design for Social Change

Packaging Design for Social Change

Icon Design for Graphic Design

Mobile App

Mobile Interaction & Experience

Interaction Design for Social Change

Gold Awards

Silver Awards

Bronze Awards

Interested in learning more about Surroundings? Let's Connect!