Cobb, Robert DominicRobert DominicCobbGross, TomTomGross2026-06-292026-06-2920262510-2591https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/115813Many users desire a positive emotional connection when using computer-mediated communication. Emojis are commonly used to express emotions and thus constitute a form of emotional communication. However, traditional systems, such as social media and screenbased devices, are associated with negative experiences for some users. To address these needs, we created Emoji Lantern, a bidirectional Ambient Interface that communicates the emotions of persons in close relationships. Emoji Lantern allows users to share long-lasting emotion cues. It displays an emoji using a shadow projector as well as coloured ambient light. We designed Emoji Lantern as an always-on background medium. It is intended to make users feel emotionally connected, i.e., to facilitate Connectedness.enghuman-centred computinghuman-computer interactioninteractive systemsconnectednessambient displaysemojisprototypeconferenceobject10.48340/ecscw2026_120