A customizable journal data visualization app that provides insights and guided writing sessions.

Thesis Statement

Stream of consciousness journals are difficult to manually find trends and patterns due to its freeflowing nature. Elevating the journaling experience by combining the physical with digital technology would help users improve their self-awareness and habits in self-care.

Abstract

Journaling is an intimate process used for mindfulness, self-awareness, and daily tracking in mental and physical health. While there is a variety of methods for journaling, this project explores text-based stream of consciousness journaling using guided prompts translated into a digital tracking experience. The goal of a stream of consciousness journal is to help the author develop conclusions about themselves through the process of freewriting–allowing any thought or feeling to be jotted down without judgement. Because of its freeflowing nature, going back to review journal entries may not be as valuable compared to when it is being written.

Reinterpreting this written data through a customized data visualization mobile application experience utilizing text analysis and AI recognition software may help young adults (such as college students) find meaningful connections between overlooked topics that were not originally found. This can be useful in finding trends and patterns over an extensive period of time, which is difficult to pinpoint when manually reviewing written entries. In recent studies, journaling for students has been useful in developing their critical thinking skills, building confidence, and improving gratitude. This project strives to encourage young adults to become more in tune with themselves through the habit of journaling for self-care and relaxation from their busy lives.

Research Questions

  1. How does the journaling experience differ from journaling via mobile application? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
  2. What effective strategies are used in text analysis software or AI to collect data?
  3. How can collected data be effectively communicated via digital experience?

Outcome

The outcome is a mobile app where users can save entries, customize and track data, and follow along guided writing sessions to be scanned and analyzed. Aurize encourages users to take time for themselves and unwind through journaling while providing insights of their recorded entries.

Designer
Anela Oliveros

Chang Kim—Primary Advisor
Graphic Design Professor, SJSU

Yoon Chung Han—Secondary Advisor
Interaction Designer, SJSU Professor

Cindy Duong—Tertiary Advisor
Interaction Designer, SJSU Professor

Brandon Brown Mary Gutierrez Phi Ho Linh Hoang Brandon Huynh Rachel Lee Hefan Lim En Yu Ma Miguel Morejon Dana Nissan Anela Oliveros Sylvia Ow-Yang Ryan Parajas Karla Peralta Sarah Sauerzopf Chako Shinmoto Tanya Shrivastava Wenwen Su Tianting Sun Hung Tsai Thanhthao Van Effy Wang