Main question: Is there a way to help people understand and re-frame the negative feelings caused by chronic procrastination, and help them find peace?

 

  • Why I want to avoid visual elements: Digital technology like smartphones and computers take up a massive amount of our attention, and this causes our lives and time to feel fragmented. Many studies show that focus is key to productivity, so I want to explore how we can reduce or reliance on our phones and on visual stimulus.

 

  • How? We are highly visual creatures, but our other senses also play a key role in how we form associations and experience the world around us. In particular, I find that scent is a very powerful sense that isn’t often “used” to actively build associations. So I would like to explore the use of scent to provide positive reinforcement.

This idea includes two parts:

 

  • A diffuser
  • A device that holds/hides your phone

 

When you put your phone in the holder, it will activate the diffuser. This will help people remove distracting visual stimulation (their phone) and receive sensual stimulation in return – a scent that provides positive reinforcement. I consider it to be a form of conditioning. By using scent to build an immediate positive association with putting our phones down (what does it smell like to not have a phone in my life?), we can perhaps allow ourselves to place our attention on something that’s more important to us.

  • Next steps: I want to explore how the diffuser can use some gentle visual or physical interactions to help users feel connected – or part of a group. For example, when you place your phone down, the diffuser will light up with a gentle light. When the device is connected to the internet, whenever a new person also places their phone down (i.e., joins the group), there will also be a gentle visual reminder.” I’m curious to see whether or not I can use these kinds of real-time, multi-user, and event-based gentle interactions to give people the feeling that they aren’t alone, that they’re facing the problem of chronic procrastination together.