25 Million Feelings Shared in TRIPP
A stunning new Sanctum Gift created to celebrate and honor every emotional state shared within TRIPP.
Hello TRIPP community,
My name is Anika Mantripragada, and I’m a sophomore at the University of Southern California’s Iovine and Young Academy, where I am studying Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation. This past summer, I had the privilege of interning with TRIPP, diving into the world of extended reality (XR) for the very first time.
When I joined TRIPP, I was immediately drawn to its mission of transforming mindfulness and emotional balance through immersive technology. I was surprised by the effect that TRIPP’s experiences had on me, from Focus games to chatting with Kokua. I also enjoyed creating my own personal environment in Sanctum, where I could customize plants, lighting, and beautiful creatures the more I used the app. These experiences left me calmer, more centered, and more playful. Through my work this summer, I wanted to contribute something that could amplify that feeling for others. This eventually became Glowkeeper, the Sanctum gift I helped develop.
I’ve always believed in the healing power of movement. As an avid hiker, traveler, and someone who finds peace in yoga and stretching, I know firsthand how even small physical gestures can shift our emotional state. Movement has a strong ability to ground us in our bodies.
When I explored Sanctum, I loved how it let me blend my physical and virtual environments, but I noticed something was missing: motion. While the space already offered serenity and beauty, I wanted to design something that encouraged people to move around, explore, and interact with their surroundings in a mindful way.
With this goal in mind, I proposed the Glowkeeper, an idea to bring gentle, intentional movement to the Sanctum space in a meaningful form.
At its heart, Glowkeeper is a simple yet enchanting gift consisting of a jar full of glowing fireflies. With a small gesture, you can open the jar and release them into your space. Suddenly, your room is filled with radiant fireflies drifting gently through the air. You can then lift the jar and move it around your space to collect the fireflies back inside. Glowkeeper isn’t about “winning” or “losing.” Instead, it’s about slowing down, noticing your body, and experiencing wonder. Each interaction becomes an invitation to breathe, stretch, and let yourself play.
Before this summer, I had virtually no experience with XR development. But with the support of the incredible TRIPP team, I learned many new tools and design techniques that made this gift possible.
My hope for you all with Glowkeeper is when you open the jar, you feel a spark of curiosity and joy. I hope the fireflies remind you to move with intention, whether that means taking a slow step, lifting your arms in a stretch, or simply breathing deeply as they swirl around you. And most of all, I hope Glowkeeper encourages you to bring a little more playfulness into your practice of mindfulness.
I can’t wait for you all to experience Glowkeeper in Sanctum!
With gratitude,
Anika Mantripragada
