Overview
OZON3 is a solo speculative design project that explores how physical spaces and digital tools can work together to support healthier relationships with technology. The name comes from “Offline Zone” and from ozone, with O3 referencing the ozone molecule as a symbol of protection and clarity.
I began by developing an architectural plan for a dedicated offline space and then translated it into an immersive 3D environment in Unreal Engine. This environment models what an OZON3 location could look and feel like, including zones, interactions, and the moment a visitor’s phone powers down when they enter.
To complement the space, I designed a fully interactive mobile app in Figma. The app extends the concept by offering features like digital detox settings, class schedules, community programs, location routing, and a crowd-level indicator that supports user decision making. The project combines product design, UX thinking, spatial design, and world-building into one integrated system.
The Problem
People are increasingly overwhelmed by constant digital stimulation, work notifications, and the pressure to stay connected. Many want healthier boundaries with their devices but lack environments or tools that support real disconnection. Existing digital wellness apps rely on the same phones users are trying to step away from, while public spaces rarely encourage offline presence or community interaction. There is no integrated system that combines a physical experience with a supportive digital companion to help people disconnect, reset, and reconnect with others in meaningful ways.
OZON3 addresses this gap by creating a dedicated offline environment paired with an app that guides, prepares, and supports users through intentional digital detox experiences.
Part One: Prototyping the Physical Experience in Unreal Engine
To bring the concept of OZON3 into a tangible experience, I created a fully modeled environment inside Unreal Engine. This build serves as a spatial prototype that demonstrates how an Offline Zone could function in the real world. Starting from an architectural plan I sketched and refined, I translated the layout into a 3D environment that includes designated areas for entry, community interaction, classes, and restorative activities.
A key design challenge was visualizing how a user’s device would shut off the moment they entered the space. I implemented a trigger box system that simulates this transition. When the player crosses the designated boundary, an on-screen phone UI fades into an “offline mode” state, illustrating how the environment enforces digital disconnection. This interaction helps communicate the core value of OZON3: a seamless, automatic shift from digital overload to presence and clarity.
The Unreal Engine build not only prototypes the physical form of OZON3 but also allows viewers to experience the tone, flow, and functionality of the space, making the speculative concept feel immersive and real.
