Recharge - FigBuild 2026 Submission

March 6-9, 2026

Role: Product Designer

OVERVIEW

For FigBuild 2026, the challenge was to identify something intangible, invisible, or previously unmeasurable about the human sensory experience and design a speculative tool to track and influence it. This tool should be designed to support a wellness goal or behavioral change for an individual or a group.

This was a speculative design challenge rooted in human need.

I created Recharge.

PROBLEM

Social fatigue builds gradually, but is only recognized after it becomes overwhelming. It affects how we work, connect, and show up for others, but because it's invisible, people often push past their limits.

This leaves one feeling profoundly drained, physically tired, and mentally numb.

RESEARCH

Eight hours without social contact can lead to a reduction in energy similar to eight hours without food.

38% of people reported experiencing signs of social exhaustion after only 2 to 3 hours of hanging out.

45% of people globally do not fully understand their own social limits.

University of Vienna: Tired of being alone: How social isolation impacts on our energy

Hinge’s Secret to a Great Social Life: Show Up, Then Know When to Leave

SOLUTION

Recharge is a system that helps users sense, track, and manage their social energy.

Recharge pairs a wearable ring with a companion app that interprets social interactions and environmental context to estimate how different activities impact a user's social energy.

On the home page, see your current social energy alongside some recaps and insights.

Sync Recharge with your calendar to have predictive information and view your energy history…

Set actionable goals and see your progress…

Visit the Recharge page to do recovery exercises, enable your ambient shield, or see your connected devices…

My personal favorite feature is the ambient shield. When active, your wearable ring modulates the environment around you in ways like shifting smart lights to warm lighting, silencing any notifications/interruptions, or using calming haptic feedback on your finger.

This setting can be configured to auto-enable under a specific social energy percentage.

On the profile page you can see your streaks and badges as well as learn a little more about your energy type.

And last but not least, dark mode.

SAFEGUARDS

With a unmeasurable sensory experience becoming measurable, there came extra responsibility to ensure user safety. This shows up in several ways:

All data is anonymized and stored locally.
Recharge uses neutral language as much as possible to avoid negative labeling.
Avoiding over-reliance: suggestions are lightweight and optional and notifications are not constant.
Recharge encourages supportive recovery patterns. When low energy spells are detected, Recharge may recommend connecting with supportive people.

TRY IT

Try the fully responsive prototype! Click to boot it up.

Try the fully responsive prototype! (best viewed on desktop)

REFLECTIONS

This project taught me a lot about designing quickly while still maintaining intentionality.

I gained experience iterating with Figma Make and experimenting with how generative tools can accelerate interface development while still requiring thoughtful design decisions.

I also learned more about how to design within ambiguity. Because the technology behind the concept does not fully exist yet, I had to think creatively about how such a system might work and what interactions would feel natural to users (balancing speculation with usefulness).

Finally, the project gave me valuable experience crafting a clear product narrative and pitch, connecting a speculative idea to real human needs.

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