Sphere

Inspiration

Sphere was inspired by the growing need for balance in remote and hybrid work environments. We saw how constant digital connectivity often leads to burnout and disconnection, and we wanted to reimagine what a healthier digital workspace could look like. The concept of “Sphere” came from the idea of creating your own balanced atmosphere where focus, rest, and connection orbit in harmony.

What it does

Sphere is a digital wellbeing platform that helps employees understand and manage their energy throughout the workweek. It personalizes their experience through Work Style Questions, generating a Weekly Energy Map that visualizes focus peaks and rest needs. Throughout the week, Sphere prompts mindful micro-breaks, connects users with accountability partners in their “orbit,” and ends each week with a reflection that celebrates progress and balance, helping employees stay grounded, connected, and motivated.

How we built it

We built Sphere by focusing on how employees would naturally work, think, and recharge. Starting with research around burnout and hybrid work challenges, we designed features that center on emotional wellbeing and not just productivity. Using Figma, we created an interactive prototype that combines soft visuals, personalized energy tracking, mindful break prompts, and social connection through accountability orbits. Every screen is built to feel calm and human-centered.

Challenges we ran into

One of our biggest challenges was balancing functionality with simplicity. We wanted to include useful features like calendars, prompts, and friend connections without overwhelming the user. It also took time to define how the Work Style Questions could meaningfully shape the Energy Map, ensuring the experience felt truly personalized and not generic. Finding the right visual tone was another key design challenge we refined through iteration.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of how Sphere blends mindfulness with workplace practicality. Our team successfully designed a solution that supports real wellbeing while fitting naturally into daily work life. The orbit-themed accountability feature and dynamic Energy Map were standout achievements, both visually and conceptually. Seeing the full flow come to life in our prototype felt like bringing our idea into a tangible, meaningful experience.

What we learned

Through this process, we learned that digital wellbeing is not about limiting work, but about balance. We discovered how thoughtful design can make technology feel more human. Collaboration was also a major takeaway. We combined ideas from UX, psychology, and workplace culture to help shape a product that feels both functional and empathetic.

What's next for Sphere

Next, we plan to expand Sphere by integrating it with everyday workplace tools like Slack and Google Calendar, allowing it to naturally fit into employees’ workflows. We’d like to add AI-powered insights for smarter, more adaptive energy tracking, and explore ways to make Sphere accessible across mobile and desktop platforms.

Briefly describe your project in relation to the design prompt

The prompt talks about a digital product that reimagines the workplace to address burnout, disengagement, wellbeing, and lack of connection, especially in hybrid or remote environments. Sphere helps combat burnout and helps employees manage energy through the Weekly Energy Map and Smart Micro-Breaks, letting them track natural energy cycles and take restorative breaks to reduce mental fatigue. Wellbeing is enhanced via Work Style Questions and an end-of-week reflection, supporting mindful habits and emotional balance. Sphere also strengthens connection with “Your Orbit”, offering low-pressure social support to keep hybrid employees engaged and motivated. Rather than adding another task-focused tool, Sphere reimagines the digital workplace as a space that prioritizes awareness, balance, and human connection, directly addressing the goal of improving employee wellbeing.

Describe your main design decisions and how they contribute to your product

Our main design decision was to center Sphere around emotional wellbeing rather than productivity metrics. We started with the Work Style Questions, a foundational step that personalizes the entire experience. These questions guide how the Energy Map adapts to each user’s focus times, preferred work style, and attention span. The Weekly Energy Map visualizes the user’s natural energy flow. Next, we designed the Smart Micro-Break Prompts, minimal pop-ups triggered by energy dips or long focus sessions. These encourage users to stretch, hydrate, or take mindful pauses without disrupting their workflow.The Orbit feature addresses isolation in remote and hybrid work. By visualizing accountability friends as orbits around your “Sphere,” the design reinforces connection and shared growth without competition. Finally, our End-of-Week Reflection provides emotional closure, highlighting balance and small victories instead of output.

Built With

• figma