Grieving is a path most times we walk alone, in shame and surrounded by shadows, shadows that we all share as a collective but that scares us to a point of not talking about it. Emotions are hard to communicate, but more so when they are so overwhelmingly deep like they are in grief.

RELEASE is a safe space for those looking for catharsis in their grief. It's a space for people much like me searching for ways to make tangible these feelings that most of the time feel vast and infinite. The app centers around the void we feel in grief; the void is visualized as an ephemeral space and the structure is inspired by fire rituals. Fire rituals are about transmutation. So the first level in the center is Visualization, to change you must first see. The second one is Containment, nothing is as big as your will and lastly Transmutation, a level that allows you to change the pain into something better.

Each crystal node in the void has a catharsis experience like meditations or art therapy sessions. In experiencing the different levels of the ritual through the void, people can record thoughts and feelings in real time. They can do this not only in text entries but also through visual media or audio recordings, because everyone has their own way of expressing their catharsis.

Our grieving paths are timeless, non-linear, and different from person to person. Each person's grieving path is represented by an organic line that changes according to the weight and level of intensity you assign to each of the crystals resolved.

The gamified interactions and overall look and feel are inspired by puzzle games and mindfulness apps that allows the people using it to merge into the universe of the Grief void, a safe space where you can explore following your intuition. Go back, forward, and into the crystals as your soul needs.

Some very vital features are still waiting to be designed such as the network of grieving paths where people can share their grief with others and allow the collective to heal together and not longer alone.
What would we see in reflection of other people's grief paths?

What would happen if grief were more open, more playful and more intentional?

RELEASE, a void for grief catharsis.