Expressive Messaging
We explored how digital messaging could become more emotionally expressive. While emojis and reactions exist, they often fail to capture the depth of real emotions. Messaging tends to be short and functional—missing the subtle feelings we express in person.

To change that, we designed new features based on emotion models that go beyond simple text or symbols. We focused on seven core emotions and built working prototypes for three of them, which were shown in an exhibition.

Look at the 7 emotions and their
corresponding userflow below ↓

Romance

If one person holds the background, message bubbles move outward.

A “Touch!” prompt appears, inviting the other person to join the long press.

Both users place a finger on the screen—prints grow as they get closer.

The goal is to make the fingerprints overlap and touch for 2 seconds.

If held together for 2 seconds, an intimate moment is created.

The fingerprint is then saved in the background as a shared memory.

Joy

In the “Share Menu,” there’s an option called “Collect” showing a list of items.

Each collectible item lets you add photos via the “+” button.

The camera opens, recognizes the item, and lets you take a matching photo.

The photo joins the series—once complete, it turns into a custom sticker.

The sticker can be sent as a personal gesture.

You can revisit the collected photos that make up the item anytime.

Send Angry

You write a message as usual.

After shaking your phone, the message appears in a preview inside an “Angry Bubble.”

When sent, the message shows up in the chat with the angry style.

React Angry

If a received message makes you angry, you can shake your phone.

This transforms the message into an “Angry Bubble”.

Sarcasm

You write your sarcastic message just like any normal text.

When you turn your phone upside down, the screen rotates but the message stays upright, appearing upside down in the preview.

Once sent, the message appears in the chat just like the preview: upside down.

Even after the phone is turned upright again, the message remains upside down.

Desire 1

The timer bar counts down the days to a specific event.

When it hits zero, the event takes place.

Afterward, the days count upward again, creating anticipation for the next one.

Desire 2

Messages can be hidden and only become visible when both people meet in person.

The sender then unlocks the message using facial recognition.

Suprise Sender

After writing a message you want to send as a surprise, you tap the “+” icon to open a menu.

From the menu, you select “Record Reaction.”

The message appears in a preview, and you can decide whether to send it with the reaction feature.

Once sent, the message looks normal in the chat except for a red dot that lights up when the other person records their reaction.

If they choose to share their reaction, the message is displayed along with the recorded response in the defined format.

Suprise Receiver

You receive a blurred message that becomes visible after a few seconds.

As the message is revealed, a 2-second video of your reaction is automatically recorded.

You see a preview of your reaction and can play it back.

You can choose to delete the reaction (no retakes) or send it to the other person.

If sent, the reaction is displayed in the chat.

Luke Caporelli

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