Medity -
The Interactive Meditation Cube
The Project
Medity is an interactive cube designed to create a calm, meditative atmosphere through light and touch. Light acts as the core medium, shifting in color and intensity in response to the user’s gestures, while soft ambient sound supports the overall sense of relaxation.
Each side of the cube offers a distinct interaction: one panel guides the user through gentle color transitions, while the textured, 3D‑printed surface invites slower, more tactile engagement through brightness modulation. Together, these elements form a quiet, immersive experience that encourages presence and mindful exploration.
Project Type: Interactive Prototype
Project Format: Group Project (2 designers)
Role: Interaction Designer, Programmer
Tools: Arduino, Visual Studio Code, Co-Pilot
The Concept
The concept behind Medity was to create an interactive object that evokes a calm, meditative atmosphere through light and touch. We wanted the cube to feel responsive yet gentle, using illumination as the primary medium for guiding the user into a slower, more reflective state.
To achieve this, the cube combines soft ambient sound with touch‑activated light behaviors that shift in color and intensity. Each side offers a slightly different interaction, inviting users to explore the object at their own pace and discover how their gestures subtly shape the experience.
The Fabrication Process
The creation process began with a series of low‑fidelity prototypes that helped us explore form, interaction, and materiality. We started with paper and cardboard models to test proportions and touch points, then moved to multiple iterations using the wooden plates that would eventually form the final cube. These early versions helped us understand how the surfaces should feel and respond, and how the internal components could be integrated without compromising the meditative quality of the object.
My main responsibility was assembling and programming the “brain” of Medity. This involved selecting the right sensors, wiring the internal structure, and developing the Arduino logic that drives the cube’s light behaviors. I iterated through different sensing methods and light patterns, refining how each gesture translated into color shifts or brightness changes. Once the interaction felt coherent, I integrated the electronics into the wooden structure, ensuring that the cube responded smoothly and consistently — bringing the meditative concept to life through touch and illumination.
The Final Prototype
The final prototype of Medity brings together the wooden structure, touch‑responsive surfaces, and the light patterns that define the interaction. With the sensors, LEDs, and Arduino logic fully integrated, the cube functions as a coherent interactive object — reacting smoothly to touch through shifting colors and gentle brightness changes, supported by subtle ambient sound. The result is a tactile, self‑contained artifact that embodies the meditative atmosphere at the heart of the concept.
Developing this prototype allowed me to deepen my skills in physical computing, sensor selection, and interaction programming. I gained hands‑on experience assembling electronics within a custom‑built form, refining light behaviors, and ensuring that the system responded reliably to user input. Seeing the final cube come to life also strengthened my understanding of how subtle interactions can shape emotional experience — a reminder of why I’m drawn to designing objects that invite presence, awareness, and gentle shifts in perspective.
Selected Works
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Copyright © 2026 Isabel Mercedes Parini.
All rights reserved.
