Human Connection in the Digital Age
My Role: As one of the UX Designers, I conceptualized the activity-matching and avatar widget features. I also developed the brand guidelines and UX wireframe for the mobile, laptop, and digital watch experiences.
Collaborators: 1 Graphic Designer, 2 UX Designers
Skills: UX design, branding, prototyping
Tools: Figma, Procreate, Firefly
Duration: 48 Hour Hackathon
THE PROMPT AND SOLUTION OVERVIEW
"Reimaging Human Connection in the Digital Age"
Before ideating, our team explored several age groups to determine which one to focus on. We considered each demographic’s relationship with technology and the unique challenges they face in today’s society.
We chose to focus on an age group where technology is already deeply embedded in daily life. Insights from user interviews revealed that, despite being constantly connected online, many still experience a sense of social disconnection. Some users expressed a preference to avoid small talk, while individuals with social anxiety shared that it feels easier to engage when social interaction is initiated by an external source, rather than having to initiate it themselves.
Our solution takes away the stress of planning or finding the right time and makes it easier for hangouts to happen naturally. By letting people showcase their interests and hobbies, we create opportunities for genuine connections with others who already share common ground.
USER PERSONAS
DESIGN SYSTEM AND PRELIMINARY PLANNING
LOFI
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Activity Matching
"spot." automatically pings you when it notices your friend is using the same application or status as you.
Users can also “nudge” a friend who’s online but engaged in a different activity to encourage them to join in.
Privacy
Acknowledging the privacy and security risks of cross-platform activity tracking, we built in features that give users full control over their visibility. They can switch their status to “offline” at any time, and create a close friends list (marked with a star) so activities and statuses are shared only with those they trust.
Customization
Users can personalize their avatars and unlock a variety of animated interactions, such as unique animations for gaming sessions and different ones for study time.
Echo
Users can access the “echo” feature, which sends an invitation to others within a set radius to join a shared activity—such as running or playing video games.
Acknowledging that this feature carries some degree of risk, we built in necessary safety measures to help protect users in case of any potential danger.
DEVICE ECOSYSTEM
Always in Sync
Knowing that different activities call for different devices, we showcased how “spot” adapts across multiple platforms. For gamers or laptop users, the mobile version offers application tracking with friends. For active individuals who enjoy sports or outdoor activities, a smartwatch app provides the same opportunity to connect on the go.
FINAL MOBILE EXPERIENCE (HERE)
FINAL LAPTOP EXPERIENCE
FINAL SMARTWATCH EXPERIENCE
REFLECTION
What I Learned
A good idea requires a sustainable business model. It’s not just about innovation but also about driving long-term growth, adaptability, and profitability.
Establish a strong foundation for the design and layout before prototyping, particularly in collaborative projects with quick turnaround times. It's a lot more efficient in the long run.
Being able to pitch an idea well is more than half the battle. It’s about capturing attention and conveying value in seconds.
If Given More Time
Invest more time in refining the UX design for laptops and smartwatches.
Consider creating mobile widgets for quick access from the home screen and pop-up overlays for a seamless laptop experience.
our team mascot!
