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Mood Buddy

Jenny Jingxuan Chen

To be seen, to be heard

Social anxiety is being defined as a disease model, which has become the third most common mental illness in the U.S, but there is still a lack of public understanding of this issue as it often goes unspoken. Guided by the questions of what social anxiety is and how it affects people, this thesis researches how internal and external factors influence people producing, sustaining, and experiencing social anxiety. Through my research, I found that social anxiety is entangled deeply with the environment, situations, and interpersonal interactions; especially within the unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations, instead of an innate problem. Workplace flourishes social anxiety as people are constantly being evaluated by others, exposed to new situations, and required to perform well, which leaves no room for people to tell their struggles and seek support. In this thesis, I create tools and activities for people to support themselves and their peers while making space and media for people to voice their needs. This thesis is an act to advocate for awareness of emotions at work and the need of creating an emotionally supportive environment built on mutual understanding, support, community, and care.

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Mood Buddy

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Mood Buddy

Mood Buddy

Mood Buddy as a visual indicator of your current mood/status, drawing with a dry-erasable pen to create your buddy. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help or have a quiet and concentrated moment at work, let Mood Buddy help you! Mood buddy comes with a set of speech bubbles showing different messages, including a blank one that you can write. A good buddy brings fun and love to your desk!

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Status badges that are wearable to indicate current feelings or needs

Status Badges

Status badges showing your current mood and help you communicate explicitly about your feelings or notify people of the issue you want to discuss. Use it as daily check-in with each other as well as a reminder to be aware of colleague’s needs.

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Mood journal contains an anxiety-to-do-list with sections for reflections you can write throughout the day, tips for coping with anxiety

Mood Journal

Although you are busy at work, you would need a moment to sit with your emotions and understand the situations which make you feel uncomfortable and how you react to them. Mood journal contains an anxiety-to-do-list with sections for reflections you can write throughout the day and tips for coping with anxiety. Hopefully, it could become a resource and a safe space for you whenever anxiety hits.

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A brochure for getting to know better about colleagues

Feeling anxious on your first day at work? Finding it difficult to start a conversation? Knowing nothing about colleagues’ personalities and work styles? Don’t worry, this brochure includes all the information you need, from interests, and preferred communication style, to their advice on self-care at work.