A Moment of Calm is an affective experience meant to relax the user. There is no story that drives the content. No need for interpretation or cognitive loading. Rather this is an exploration of scent, sound, and visuals to induce a sense of calm. This experience was developed based on a survey of the existing body of evidence-based research that points to how various sensory stimuli can encourage a state of calmness. Research was then synthesized into a touch-interactive experience of a mirror-like pool that tracks and reflects the sky as it gently shifts from dawn to dusk. Users can manipulate the water surface through the touchscreen while enjoying the calming effects of lavender and ambient soundscapes.
Research into colour, form, and motion all lent to a concept whereby the user could interact with a pool of water that reflected the sky above as it transitioned from dawn to dusk. A custom ambient music track was created to provide the background score, and a five-note repeating scale of tones play in response to the user’s touch accompanying the visual effect of water rippling. User controlled lavender scent is dispersed during the experience.
The experience starts with a presentation of research accessed via a touch-activated accordion slider. Here, users can learn about A Moment of Calm and the various research articles about sight, sound, and scent that informed the creation of the experience.
Users can either tap the screen to create an effect of rain drops rippling outward in concentric circles, or drag their fingers around the screen to disturb the surface of the water.