Dreamscapes: Always There

I am studying interactive storytelling, physical computing, and character-driven illustration because I want to explore how tangible interactions can deepen emotional engagement, in order to accomplish my goal of creating a story-driven installation that helps people reflect on the emotional cost of growing up.

My thesis is called Dreamscapes: Always There. It follows a child who journeys through a surreal dream world, accompanied by a worn-out teddy bear and confronted by eerie rabbits that symbolize her fading childhood innocence. Through a combination of physical objects—like dolls and cakes—and illustrated narrative scenes, the project invites users to explore memories, confront fears, and say goodbye to childhood in their own time. It blends physical interaction with digital storytelling to evoke nostalgia, vulnerability, and resilience.

Merging Mediums

I collaborated with illustration major Joyce Cao, who created the hand-drawn visuals for the story. While she focused on emotional storytelling through 2D illustration, I transformed her work into a physical, interactive experience. By combining drawings with sensor-based objects like dolls and cakes, we merged visual art with tactile interaction—inviting users to not just read the story, but step into it.

To complete the interaction design, I embedded electronic components—including microcontrollers, sensors, speakers, and LEDs—into the physical models of the cakes and dolls. The cake model uses force sensors and an ESP32 microcontroller to detect touch points and respond with synchronized light and sound effects. Meanwhile, The teddy bear and bunnies contain a compact circuit built around an Arduino Nano, enabling touch-based triggers through its hands and tail.These embedded systems allow the physical objects to react emotionally, reinforcing the narrative and making the story feel alive through tactile engagement.

Storytelling

In a strange dream, a young person finds themselves trapped in a lab, surrounded by silent bunnies holding tools. They escape through a mysterious door and enter a twisted hallway, chased by the bunnies. Outside, a tea party awaits — the bunnies invite them to pick a cake and stay forever. But something feels wrong.

A magical flower grows into a vine that carries them into the sky. The bunnies follow, but so does a quiet bear — not to harm, but to protect. At the top, the bear offers a glowing heart. The dreamer remembers: he was once their childhood companion, always there during nightmares.

The bunnies represent the longing of childhood to hold on. The bear, however, chooses to let go — supporting the dreamer’s decision to grow up.
He’s always there.

Final Project