Yu, Jingxin; Ayobi, Amid; Marshall, Paul; O’Kane, Aisling Ann; (2025) Creatively Supporting Mental Wellbeing: A Tangible Toolkit to Scaffold Self-Tracking through Mindful Colouring. In: Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction. ACM (In press).

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Abstract

Paper-based journaling remains ubiquitous and provides significant potential to support mental wellbeing and inform the design of digital mental health interventions. However, it remains unclear how tangible tools can be designed to facilitate creative and artistic journaling practices. We present the design and evaluation of a tangible toolkit comprising a set of laser-cut stencils and an example-based how-to guide on self-tracking mood through mindful colouring. Drawing on the findings of a two-week field study with university students from diverse backgrounds, we demonstrate how the tangible toolkit scaffolded personally meaningful expression of mood and lived experience. Participant’s visual accounts illustrate creative stencil appropriation and individual colouring preferences in documenting and understanding mood, emotions, and feelings in daily life. Based on this understanding, we suggest shifts towards more tangible mental health approaches to support people in expressing and exploring their felt experiences in creative ways.

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