Ethereal Alchemy
Ethereal Alchemy is an interactive and immersive experience that fuses Dance and Movement Therapy with Daoist philosophy. Participants explore sentimental landscapes through body movements, activating algorithmic visualizations in real-time, inspired by Chinese Daoism’s BaGua (Eight Trigrams). This meditative and healing experience fosters self-awareness and Body-Mind Synergy, as kinetic interactive projections respond to the participants' movements, guiding them on a journey of emotional and physical balance.
Aug 2023 - May 2024
Individual Project
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Skills:
Programming, Computer Networking, Projection Mapping, Motion Capture, Data Analysis; User Research, User Interview, User Experience Design, Interaction Design.
Tools:
JavaScript, Three.js, Node.js, HTML, CSS, Kinect, Python
User Research
Problem and Research Insights
An ongoing trend of people seeking help in virtual spaces for emotional healing
"Einstein's brain"
1.3 Million+ Searches / 1 Week
People hope to use external "tools" to alleviate their inner unease and anxiety about success and their needs for psychological comfort.
"Electronic Meditation"
5.74 Million + Download
People's uncertainty and insecurity, driven by a loss of values, this intertwining of helplessness in reality and inner frustration lead them to use electronic incense as a temporary emotional outlet, seeking inner peace and balance.
Short video trend:
“Virtual Cry Companion”
Needing an emotional outlet for crying.
Travel trend:
“Temple Tourism”
Seeking emotional solace and praying for good luck.
New Socialization Type:
“Vegan Meatups”
Wanting to have a deep talk with a stranger.
The national mental health crisis continues
Rising Trends:
Lifetime and Current Depression Rate
For psychological practitioners
For psychological practitioners
saw an increase in demand for treatment for depression
unable to meet the demand for treatment
Communication Barriers
Emotional Distortion
Social Isolation
Emotional Numbness
- Mental health issues are becoming increasingly severe, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, placing a growing strain on individuals and society.
- People lack effective methods to cope with emotional challenges, as many are unable to access proper treatment or find healthy ways to process and express their emotions, leading to emotional suppression and poor self-regulation.
Problems Behind：
My Reflections:
Focusing solely on mental health is not enough:
Existing solutions that target only mental well-being, without considering the body, limit their effectiveness in achieving true emotional balance and long-term healing.
Virtual spaces for emotional healing are insufficient:
While digital platforms offer convenience, they fail to address the deeper, more complex needs of emotional healing and cannot fully engage the body in the process.
Traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine emphasize a holistic perspective:
Daoist philosophy and Chinese medicine highlight the interconnectedness of body and mind, offering a more comprehensive approach to emotional healing that integrates physical and mental well-being.
How might we help young people find inner peace and balance by integrating holistic well-being practices?
User Research Insights
Stress Level
Usage and Effectiveness of Relaxation Tools
→ Current digital solutions for stress relief lack physical engagement and sustained user commitment. A more interactive and embodied experience could offer deeper emotional processing and engagement.
Insights on Movement-Based Healing
Movement Workshop & Interview
A movement-based workshop is organized incorporating principles from Dance and Movement Therapy (DMT) and meditation practices.
63%
Interested about using movement as an emotional outlet but lacked structured opportunities.
70%
preferred real-time feedback that responds to their body movement.
43%
were drawn to nature-inspired and abstract visualizations as a way to process emotions.
87%
emphasized the need for a safe, immersive space where they can explore emotions without judgment.
→ Movement-based healing is promising, but users need structured guidance, interactive feedback, and an emotionally safe environment to fully engage with it. The use of abstract and nature-inspired visuals can enhance emotional expression and immersion.
Theoretical Model for Design
The investigation explores the interconnected philosophy of body-mind monism in both Eastern and Western traditions, drawing parallels between Chinese Taoist Philosophy and Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) on their foundational beliefs and ultimate goals.
Experimental analyses delve into the intricate relationship between motion and emotion using the Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and Russell's Circumplex Model of Affection (CMA).
Additionally, the study incorporates principles from positive technology, examines case studies of emotion visualization and reflection-prompting experience, and integrates insights from the process model of emotion regulation in psychology, aiming to identify effective media methods capable of influencing one's mental state.
Experiment
on Motion - Emotion Interconnection
Methodology and Experiment Design
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The designed experiment explores whether Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) can link movement patterns to emotions. Participants received an emotion description with a guided scenario and performed a 5-second movement sequence to express it. Motion data from 16 participants were analyzed to validate movement-based emotional expression for the interactive installation.
Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) Model
Data and Analysis
The data on Anger, Excitement, Relaxation, and Misery align with existing research, validating the methodology and confirming the effectiveness of movement-based emotional analysis. However, the remaining two emotions lack prior studies for comparison. These findings provide a scientific foundation for the interactive installation, supporting its approach to emotional expression through movement.
Survey
on Subjective interpretation of emotionally expressive movements
Survey Design
Language descriptions and visual representations of basic deconstructed body movements were offered
body movement with moving img and description
Tasks of associating body movements with specific emotional states
Russell’s Circumplex Model of Affect
Insights
The experiment revealed that certain body parts and specific movements are universally associated with particular emotions, consistently recognized by most participants.
Head Movements
Torso Movement
Arm Movements
Leg Movements
Design and Workflow
Visual Design
The design is inspired by the BaGua, with each trigram mapped to a specific emotion and linked to a corresponding natural imagery. In creating the visual effects, I drew inspiration from the characteristics of these natural elements and incorporated my interpretation of the associated emotions.
User Experience Flow Design
Technical Flow
Final Outcome
The participant is guided to navigate the space and engage in movement interactive media experiences through immersive floor and wall projections. Their movements activate different trigrams within the BaGua, each representing a sentimental and natural landscape, generating real-time visual interactions that align with the emotional and elemental essence of the activated trigram in Daoism. Powered by motion-tracking technology using Kinect and algorithmic visualization with three.js particle systems, this project facilitates interaction between participants and their environment. It encourages meditation and engagement, allowing individuals to connect with and immerse themselves in the environment they help create. Through this project, I aim to bridge cultural practices and contemporary technology to facilitate emotional healing, meditation, and self-awareness.
User Testing & Feedbacks
Takeaways
1. Iterative Testing & User Observation
A well-designed experience requires continuous testing and refinement. Only by observing real users interacting with the installation did I identify pain points—such as moments of confusion, hesitation, or disengagement. This reinforced the importance of prototyping early, gathering real-world feedback, and iterating the design based on user behavior rather than assumptions.
2. Refining Interview Techniques
Users often struggled to articulate their needs or preferences, particularly when asked abstract questions like "How would you prefer to manage anxiety?" With different tries, I realized that instead of asking direct, solution-based questions, I should use indirect, experience-driven prompts. For example, asking users to recall a past emotional moment and how their body responded provided more valuable insights than asking them to predict what might work for them. This shift in interview techniques helped uncover deeper, more authentic user needs.
3. Balancing Structure & Freedom in Interaction
Some users preferred structured guidance, while others wanted the freedom to explore. To address this, I designed adaptive interaction pathways—where users could choose between guided emotional transitions or free movement exploration—made the experience more inclusive and engaging. This balance between control and openness was key to making the installation meaningful for a diverse audience.
Showcases & Behind the Scene
Apr 2023 @ NYUSH Gallery Space; May 2023 @ NYUSH Capstone Show
Live Presentation
Place Set Up
Graduation Photo