Following the example of Alexander von Humboldt and under the title of the popular science novel about his life and work, students of the Communication Design program set out to “ The Digital Measurement the World” – starting with the Münchberg campus.
Supervised by Prof. Michael Zöllner and lecturer Moritz Krause, they were also supported by the London-based start-up AmbientWorks with the latest environmental sensors. The young company developed the Red Dot Award-winning air quality monitor “ambient one.”
Using Sensirion SEN66 sensors, the students were able to measure the temperature, CO2 content of the air, the number of fine dust particles, and volatile organic compounds in the air in real time and in time series.
Based on this data and their knowledge of its context in the rooms on campus, they developed data stories and interactive information systems on the topic of CleanAir, which enable people to better perceive the air quality in their environment. As humans, we can only interpret this indirectly: e.g., through our sense of smell, fatigue, or headaches. Fresh air is therefore particularly important for mental performance and concentration, especially in seminar rooms and offices.
With working prototypes and data storytelling, the students presented fresh, new approaches to communicating data and situations. Music changes according to the air quality in the room, becoming more dramatic or lighter. The lighting mood adapts using smart home lighting. A digital wonder tree in the car reminds drivers to take a break. The weather and vegetation change in a painting on the wall. A mechanical plant raises and lowers its leaves. A smart cloud flashes and glows according to the current CO2 level.
Not only the support provided by sensor technology, but also the feedback from the London-based founders at the final presentation was helpful for the students. The start-up showed them how to turn their own idea into their own company via a prototype and a pitch deck.
In addition, the students realized that fatigue in the seminar is not necessarily due to long nights or the quality of the lecture, but can be measured numerically by an excessively high CO2 level, which is quickly reached in well-insulated rooms.
s air
In our interaction design project, we developed an application that combines sound and environment. Sounds are fed into the system via a keyboard that we cut and printed ourselves. However, these sounds do not remain static: the tone and the visual representation of a sphere change in real time based on current air data. This makes the invisible air quality audible and visible, transforming music into a sensitive interface between people, data, and space.
https://mue.incom.org/project/7567
Airlight
The „Airlight“ project is a temporary light installation. It uses light to visualise measured air data from selected indoor spaces at the university. This makes it possible to see at a glance whether the temperature and carbon dioxide levels in the room are cause for concern. The light installation is complemented by a website where a digital light installation in the form of a 3D model documents the temporary installation in the long term and brings it to life.
https://mue.incom.org/project/7418
Kumo
kumo is a design object that makes air quality visible in an intuitive way. Shaped like a glowing cloud, it translates sensor data into light, color, and motion. Through atmospheric changes (from calm illumination to storm-like effects) kumo makes air quality perceptible. It not only informs, but actively encourages ventilation while blending harmoniously into its surroundings.
https://mue.incom.org/project/7882
Aero Sprout
The interactive plant translates CO₂ levels into a clear visual gesture: sensors continuously measure air quality, which is directly reflected in the plant’s state. As air quality worsens, the leaves gradually droop; with fresh air, they rise again. The change is intuitive and can be understood at a glance.
At the center of the project is an aesthetic, calm object that integrates naturally into its surroundings and does not resemble a technical device. Its emotional presence creates awareness and encourages action effortlessly - making air quality visible without requiring explanation. Information is not read, but perceived.
https://mue.incom.org/project/8041
cAIRe
The cAIRe project addresses this problem by making air quality in the car visible in an intuitive way. The 3D-printed object is attached to the rear-view mirror and reacts to changes in CO₂ levels with color changes. These provide immediate feedback, showing when it is time to ventilate or take a break. In this way, cAIRe raises awareness of air quality in the car and helps make driving safer.
https://mue.incom.org/project/8044
Ambience
Ambience is a data-driven visualization project that translates environmental measurement data into an abstract landscape. Values such as CO₂, temperature, particulate matter, VOCs, and humidity control individual visual layers of the scene.
The project is motivated by the observation that environmental conditions in everyday life are often abstract, invisible, and difficult to interpret, despite their direct impact on our surroundings and well-being. As a solution, Ambience translates data from a fixed measurement period into a visual system with three clearly defined states that alter the appearance of the illustration over time. The goal is to make complex environmental information understandable, accessible, and visually perceptible.
https://mue.incom.org/project/8060
Glimpse
The question “Why do we feel the way we feel?” describes the starting point of the “Glimpse” project. As the name suggests, the goal is to express moods influenced by air, at a glance, so to speak. To do this, we used code to visualize live air data in such a way that it could be translated into postcards and embroidered T-shirts. Each piece captures a specific time and place and expresses what it would be like to be there.
https://mue.incom.org/project/8038
Ambient Green
Meet Ambient Green – a modular moss panel that translates complex sensor data into an intuitive, alive pulse. From calm, atmospheric light, to critical alerts, it notifies you exactly when it's time to breathe fresh air. By merging smart technologies with organic materials we created a bridge between nature and digital workspaces. It doesn't just monitor your environment, it breathes with it. Ambient Green brings the awareness of nature back indoors.
https://mue.incom.org/project/7883
Vibe Waves
VibeWaves is an interactive project that makes air quality perceptible through a combination of data, sound, and visual sound waves. Using OpenProcessing, environmental values such as CO₂ levels, dust particles, and temperature are translated into evolving sounds and color-changing, animated sound waves. VibeWaves acts as a subtle, ambient reminder to improve air quality — even when users are focused on other tasks — supporting health, well-being, and concentration in everyday life.
https://mue.incom.org/project/7858
Our Sponsor: AmbientWorks
AmbientWorks are the creators of ambient one air quality monitor based in London. Yuki and Giulio - design/engineers/makers have spent the last decade in workshops, makerspaces, universities and factories, prototyping and building the future.
They funded their project on Kickstarter seeking support to bring ambient one to as many spaces as possible, helping creatives everywhere breathe easier and work healthier.
