HappyCal: Designing Text and Image-Based Supports for Savouring Positive Work Experiences

Stewart, M., Cai, M., Tang, A., Liu, S., Mosunic, C., and Somanath, S. (2026). HappyCal: Designing Text and Image-Based Supports for Savouring Positive Work Experiences. In Proceedings of the 2026 Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction for Work (CHIWORK '26).

Abstract

Savouring positive work experiences can promote positive affect and well-being at work, yet there is limited guidance on how digital applications can support workers to engage in savouring. We developed HappyCal, a work-focused savouring application offering two forms of savouring support: text-based, a common modality in workplace reflection tools, and images, a largely unexplored approach in work-related savouring. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study where participants (N=36) used HappyCal over five days and engaged in savouring through either text-only modality (n=17) or text input paired with image output (n=19). We found that (1) participants in both conditions reported heightened awareness of work-related emotions through positive reflection, (2) Text-based support fostered conscious emotional processing, while image-based support offered quick overviews and amplified the positive experience, and (3) image-based support introduced a sense of playfulness into savouring. Informed by our results, we discuss implications for designing savouring supporting technologies for work contexts.

Materials

BibTeX

@inproceedings{stewart2026happycal,
  abstract = {Savouring positive work experiences can promote positive affect and well-being at work, yet there is limited guidance on how digital applications can support workers to engage in savouring. We developed HappyCal, a work-focused savouring application offering two forms of savouring support: text-based, a common modality in workplace reflection tools, and images, a largely unexplored approach in work-related savouring. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study where participants (N=36) used HappyCal over five days and engaged in savouring through either text-only modality (n=17) or text input paired with image output (n=19). We found that (1) participants in both conditions reported heightened awareness of work-related emotions through positive reflection, (2) Text-based support fostered conscious emotional processing, while image-based support offered quick overviews and amplified the positive experience, and (3) image-based support introduced a sense of playfulness into savouring. Informed by our results, we discuss implications for designing savouring supporting technologies for work contexts.},
  note = {In press},
  type = {conference},
  publisher = {ACM},
  year = {2026},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2026 Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction for Work (CHIWORK '26)},
  title = {HappyCal: Designing Text and Image-Based Supports for Savouring Positive Work Experiences},
  author = {Stewart, Molly and Cai, Minghao and Tang, Anthony and Liu, Sam and Mosunic, Chris and Somanath, Sowmya},
}