Bringing Mindfulness to the Real World

The challenge was to create a meaningful mindfulness experience that used augmented reality to enhance users' connection with their surroundings rather than distract them. With smartphones providing a high level of tracking accuracy, we had to adapt to the limitations of the new Spectacles and refine user interactions to ensure a seamless, calming experience. Our goal was to encourage users to explore mindfulness in a new way, allowing them to use their senses to fully engage with the environment around them.

A Sensory Journey Through Augmented Reality

I led the creative direction for Mindful Musings, where users began by finding a quiet place to walk. An AR ball appeared in their vision, slowly expanding and contracting to guide their breathing. This simple act of syncing breath with the ball helped regulate oxygen levels and prepare users for their mindful walk.

As they walked, users could engage with the world around them by illuminating the landscape with a ball of light, controlled through 3D hand tracking. This allowed them to interact with their environment in real time, elevating the meditation beyond a traditional screen-based experience. To further enhance the sensory journey, we introduced fluid AR shapes that emitted calming sounds when touched, harmonizing with a peaceful instrumental base track.

The experience was completely hands-free, and at any point, users could end their meditation simply by saying "end meditation," using voice recognition software to complete the experience without lifting a finger.

A New Way to Share Mindfulness

The result was a mindful walk that connected users with nature, leaving them feeling more present and calm. The next generation of Spectacles allowed participants to capture and share their journey, enabling them to spread tranquility to others. The Mindful Musings experience offered a unique way to engage with mindfulness, combining the power of AR with the simplicity of walking, creating a meaningful, stress-reducing moment.