With the initiative to relieve GenZ of stress and give them new ways to express themselves, OILY is a kit that allows users to build their own non-digital dynamic immersive projection experience at home from oil-water mixture.
Problem Space
Gen Z is the most stressed generation.
In a new study, only 15% of Gen Z rated their mental health as "excellent", compared to a 2013 study where 52% of the millennials reported the same.
"Gen Z adults and younger millennials are 'completely overwhelmed' by stress", titled an article from American Psychological Association in 2023.
Anxiety is the #1 mental health issue of college students. (Statista 2023)
... and self-expression may help.
80% of the respondents believe that "self expression can improve a person's mental wellbeing".
Millennials and Gen Zs are most likely to prioritize self-expression and their outer appearance.
66% of consumers like when they can personalize or customize products to their preferences.
-Mintel Report on Expression of Identity, 2024
Gen Z relies on digital space for self expression.
41% of Gen Z feels more authentically themselves when interacting virtually.
Is virtual reality the answer?
Starting Idea: Safe Space in VR
To alleviate Gen Z of stress, allow them to customize their virtual reality space where they can relax and hang out with friends.
Discussion
The introduction of Apple Vision Pro in February 2024 makes personalized VR technology ever more promising. VR can be ideal for demand of Gen Z on stress relief. First, a VR space is highly customizable, giving users plenty of opportunity to leverage it as a way of self expression. Second, VR is immersive, allowing users to let their sensory and thoughts escape to another world completely, away from the stressors. Third, VR is interactive, allowing users to fully engage in the experience it offers and even with other users.
However, VR is a digital product after all. Gen Z already suffers from sensory overloads of information associated with digital products, and more exposure could leads to more stress and anxiety. VR headsets are also too heavy and uncomfortable, and prolonged use is impractical. If anything, a stress relieving solution should not exacerbate over-exposure to the digital world.
That leads to the question...
Can we offer Gen Z a non-digital alternative to VR that preserves the customizable, interactive, immersive stress relieving experience?
Development
Inspiration
Mathmos Space Projector, made by the same company of lava lamps, was a major inspiration for the design.
Concept
The kit
The kit comes with a special projector, oil trays, magnetic stir stick, and color pigments.
Step 1: Make
Customize your unique OILY experience by making the oil dish from a wide range of colors! Choose a single color or mix multiple to see different colors merge.
Step 2: Insert
Insert one or multiple layers of oil dish into the special projector.
Step 3: Display
Turn on the projector. The live image of the oil dish is projected onto the ceiling. Immerse yourself in your own creation!
Step 4: Interact
Interact with the experience by using the magnetic stirring stick or rocking the projector. The stirring ball sets the colored bubbles into motion and your creation comes to life!
Experiment & Prototype
I did multiple iterations of experiments to find the ideal water to oil ratio that produces the ideal effect.
The body of the projector base is 3D printed. The opening is carefully designed to hold the oil dish. A light sources is installed at the bottom of the base.
Different colors and stacking combinations were experimented.
I also tried to mix different colors in the same dish. For at least a short period after the mixing, this achieves great visual effect.
Commercial Video
Gallery
Survey
