Jailene Garcia

Jailene Garcia

Vela
Vela is a physical menstrual tracking system that redefines how individuals engage with their cycles by transforming tracking into a mindful and reflective daily ritual. From my research gathered throughout this past year I learned that there is a gap of knowledge between woman and their menstrual cycles. So rather than relying on digital applications that reduce lived experiences into abstract data points and notifications, Vela centers the body and its rhythms through tactile interaction. By stacking a single bead each day to represent their energy, discomfort, or menstruation, users actively document their cycle, creating a physical and visual timeline that evolves over time. This repeated action not only integrates seamlessly into existing routines but also reinforces memory and awareness, allowing patterns in energy and symptoms to emerge more intuitively.

In contrast to apps that often feel detached, transactional, and easy to ignore, Vela fosters a deeper emotional connection to personal data by making it visible, tangible, and spatial. The accumulation of beads becomes a narrative form—one that can be seen, touched, and reflected upon—encouraging users to slow down and engage more intentionally with their bodies. 

This project explores how physical interaction fosters deeper bodily awareness through repetition, touch, and visibility. By prioritizing mindfulness over efficiency. Vela proposes a more embodied, personal form of self-knowledge- one rooted in ritual, reflection, and agency.