Emobloom

Research & Discovery

Our research began with 28 interviews studying how customers form emotional bonds with existing products. The key findings revealed that people have no emotional connection to their plants and do not know the name of their plants. They want plants mainly for aesthetic benefits and seeing growth, while spending minimal time on care.

However, people do like the pride that comes with taking good care of plants and grow a sense of responsibility over them. Desk areas were identified as common stress points, presenting an opportunity for intervention.

We explored emotive design strategies that celebrate our kinship with the world and create ongoing relationships between people and plants. We studied "Braided Sweetgrass" and design for attachment principles, finding that functions provoking deeper bonding between human and plant—such as personalized plant quizzes, memory leaflets, and diary features—were most effective.

User Definition & Testing

We clustered every interview insight into a sprawling feature matrix, grouping provocations like “sentient plant companion,” “augmented rituals,” and “memory-making moments.” The board became our north star for emotional resonance.

From there we ran a create–record–review loop: sketching dozens of form factors, critiquing them as a team, then recombining the strongest gestures into new hybrids. Each pass moved us closer to an hourglass-inspired ecosystem.

We even prototyped the name. “Emo Bloom” rose to the top because it captures the marriage of feeling and growth—shorthand for the emotional bond we’re nurturing between people and their plants.

Concept Development & Refinement

We defined our primary user as "The urban apartment dweller" - a 28-year-old graphic designer living in a compact one-bedroom apartment. She enjoys urban lifestyle but finds her small living space limiting, especially when it comes to bringing nature indoors.

She views taking care of plants as a way to bring a sense of nature into her home and sees them as more than just decor – they are her companions in daily life. She seeks to create a small indoor garden to bring tranquility and natural beauty to her home workstation, needing guidance as a beginner gardener.

Our research also investigated how plants reduce stress and increase well-being. Studies revealed that when looking at real plants, participants exhibited significantly higher 'comfort,' 'natural,' and 'relaxed' scores, along with an increase in positive mood conditions.

Iterations: Physical

Physical Ecosystem Refinement

The physical system evolved through deliberate fidelity jumps. Early foam mockups validated the capsule silhouette and how people would cradle the planter. We shifted into CNC and 3D-printed housings to pressure-test proportions, hourglass visibility, and the magnetized sand timer. Each round pushed the body closer to a single, seamless object that feels calm on a desk yet animated in motion.

These boards capture how rear charging, sand reservoirs, and the rotating cradle were resolved. Feedback focused on stability, tactility, and the subtle “companionship” sensation people reported when the planter slowly spun beside them. Every tweak nudged Emobloom toward a form that broadcasts care rather than gadgetry.

Iterations: Digital

Digital Companion Journey

In parallel, we mapped a companion app that mirrors the physical experience. Lo-fi user journeys clarified how onboarding, mood prompts, and care checkpoints weave together. High-fidelity UI explorations then translated those flows into a lavender, breathing interface that echoes the product’s softness.

The final journey diagram charts each touchpoint—Bluetooth pairing, biometric scans, habit loops, and reflection prompts. It ensures the app doesn’t compete with the object; it amplifies it. Emobloom ultimately lives as both a tangible companion and a digital coach, keeping the plant-person relationship active throughout the day.