Exploring How Design Makes Invisible States Perceivable
Cammie Wei
This thesis explores how design can make invisible social states gently perceivable for people who experience social anxiety. Through secondary research, interviews, a symbol-building workshop, expert consultation, and design iteration, the project investigates how social availability, boundaries, and emotional readiness can be communicated without direct spoken explanation. The final outcome, Attuné, is a wearable necklace system supported by packaging and The Social State Journal. By combining symbol, color, tactile ritual, and reflection, Attuné offers a softer way to communicate openness, the need for space, and quiet withdrawal in everyday social settings.
Magnetic Rotating Mechanism
The necklace uses a magnetic rotating mechanism to support intentional state changes. When the wearer is not open to interaction, the “In a quiet moment” plate functions as a closed surface. Because both the plate and the central pendant are magnetic, the plate can be opened and gently snapped to the back, revealing the rotating center and allowing the wearer to turn the pendant to display a different social state.
Social State Necklace System
A presentation layout showing three necklace states: Open to Conversation, Need Space, and Not Open to Interaction. Each pendant symbol represents a different level of social openness through color, form, and subtle wearable communication.
Necklace in Everyday Wear
A lifestyle visualization showing the necklace worn in different everyday contexts. The images demonstrate how each social state can be displayed through the pendant while remaining subtle, wearable, and integrated into personal style.
Packaging and Display System
A packaging and display system for the necklace, showing both the soft fabric pouch and the open presentation box. The design uses fabric, embossed details, and layered materials to create a gentle unboxing ritual that reflects protection, intimacy, and quiet emotional communication.
Interactive Social State Packaging
A packaging design featuring a rotating dial that reveals the necklace’s symbolic social states. The interaction turns the packaging into an emotional interface, helping users understand each symbol and its connection to social boundaries before wearing the necklace.
Social State Journal System
The Social State Journal is a reflective companion to the necklace, helping users track moods, recognize social patterns, and build self-awareness. Some pages can also be displayed as social-state cards, creating a desk-based version of the necklace’s wearable communication system.