January 1, 2025
Year
2024
Client
St. Joseph Healthcare
Category
Service Design
Product Duration
4 months
Our product transforms mindfulness from a solitary or instructional activity into a fun, shared experience. By introducing mindfulness through a board game, we create a space where kids can play, connect and reflect all while spending meaningful time with their loved ones. The game encourages emotional awareness and healthy conversations in a light, engaging and low-pressure way, allowing kids to explore their feelings naturally, without fear of judgment.
In the analog board game Zen or Nah?, families and teenagers use reaction cards full with memes, mood swings and mischief to negotiate amusing real-life events. This game transforms common emotional catastrophes into hilarious educational experiences, whether your goal is to score points, avoid humiliating situations or just maintain composure during an inconvenient task.
Initially, we were developing innovative, non-technological alternatives, such as board games, exercises and mental models. As our interviews continued, the most important thing we learned was that it is not about raising their emotional awareness; rather, it is about enabling them to recognize and understand what they are going through with the aid of our creations and designs and allowing them to be more mindful of their peaceful mental journey.
The purpose of Zen or Nah? is to use play and comedy to help participants examine their emotional responses. While laughing with friends, players develop self-awareness, empathy and emotional resilience by navigating real-life situations, responding with memes and doing mindfulness exercises.
