A method comprising receiving sensor data from a sensor, obtaining image data from a graphical effects shader based on the sensor data, blending the image data with a plurality of application surfaces to create a blended image, and transmitting the blended image to a display. The method may further comprise blending a color image with the blended image in response to a reduction in ambient light. Also disclosed is a mobile node (MN) comprising a sensor configured to generate sensor data, a display device, and a processor coupled to the sensor and the device display, wherein the processor is configured to receive the sensor data, obtain image data generated by a graphical effects shader based on the sensor data, blend the image data with an application surface associated with a plurality of applications to create a blended image, and transmit the blended image to the display.