ITS Campus, ITS News — High academic and organizational pressures, as well as worries about the future, often make it difficult for students to manage stress consistently. To address this issue, two students from the Visual Communication Design (DKV) Department at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) designed STIMZY, a Stress Regulation Kit that helps students identify, manage, and channel stress through practical and interactive media.
Based on this concern, Yohanes Carolus Satria Bramantyo and Ivena Ayu Lestari designed STIMZY after observing the pressures students often face. According to Carolus, demands such as assignments, organizations, internships, and anxiety about the future often make it difficult for students to manage their emotions. “Many of my friends feel stressed by these demands,” Carolus said.
Unlike typical stress management tools, STIMZY combines a tactile fidget charm, a reflection journal, a stress management guide, and a sticker pack into one package. This combination allows users to calm themselves with sensory stimulation while simultaneously reflecting on their emotions through the concept of ephemeral journaling. “We want all of these needs to be present in one practical and enjoyable tool,” he said.
To realize this idea, the two students from the class of 2023 developed STIMZY for approximately six months using a user-centered design approach, under the guidance of lecturers Dr. Rahmatsyam Lakoro SSn MT and Wisnu Wijaya SSn MSn. The process began with research among students and young adults, followed by brainstorming, design exploration, prototyping, user testing, and product refinement based on user feedback.
Not only prioritizing function, STIMZY also presents a more interactive user experience through pop-up packaging and a strong visual identity. The product logo is inspired by the CTRL key on a keyboard as a symbol of taking back control of thoughts and emotions, reinforced by the tagline “Take CTRL of Yourself” and a cat mascot named Minzy. “STIMZY is not only entertainment, but also a more comprehensive stress regulation medium,” he explained.
In further development, Carolus hopes that STIMZY can continue to grow through collaboration with communities, universities, and mental health experts. The support of the ITS Visual Communication Design Department, particularly the supervising lecturers and user-testing process, also contributes to perfecting this innovation. The existence of STIMZY also strengthens ITS’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically point 3 on Healthy and Prosperous Life and point 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. (*)
Reporter: Iffah Najwa Ulya