StayConnect
Reimagining the household bulletin board for the digital age.
Accessible UI Design
User Testing
Wellbeing
Personas
Iteration
Empathy
Context
StayConnect began as a personal project, inspired by the challenge of fighting social isolation in older adults, and thus the larger issue of elderly depression. Initially a solo endeavor, this project was adapted to a larger group collaboration in INFO 360. With input from team members, our iterative design came to include features like shared photo uploads, a daily prompt, and calendar functionality. Through group work, iteration, and testing, the app became not only user-friendly for elderly individuals but also helped deepen connections with their families.
StayConnect began as a personal project, inspired by the challenge of fighting social isolation in older adults, and thus the larger issue of elderly depression. Initially a solo endeavor, this project was adapted to a larger group collaboration in INFO 360. With input from team members, our iterative design came to include features like shared photo uploads, a daily prompt, and calendar functionality. Through group work, iteration, and testing, the app became not only user-friendly for elderly individuals but also helped deepen connections with their families.
UX/UI Design,
Creative Direction
September - December 2024
Ethan Kwan, Katie Yoon, Madison Nguyen
UX/UI Design,
Creative Direction
September - December 2024
Ethan Kwan, Katie Yoon, Madison Nguyen
DESIGN QUESTION
DESIGN QUESTION
DESIGN QUESTION
How might older adults living alone achieve social connectedness through asynchronous activities so that they can build upon existing relationships with friends and family?
How might older adults living alone achieve social connectedness through asynchronous activities so that they can build upon existing relationships with friends and family?
How might older adults living alone achieve social connectedness through asynchronous activities so that they can build upon existing relationships with friends and family?
User Research + Findings
We conducted research to understand the challenges faced by older adults who experience social isolation. Studies showed that loneliness affects almost 43% of adults over 60 and is linked to significant health risks, including cognitive decline and depression. A myriad of findings showed that older adults frequently struggle with adopting technology, making it fundamental to implement simple and accessible tools. These insights lay the foundation of StayConnect, emphasizing asynchronous communication and ease of use.
User Research + Findings
We conducted research to understand the challenges faced by older adults who experience social isolation. Studies showed that loneliness affects almost 43% of adults over 60 and is linked to significant health risks, including cognitive decline and depression. A myriad of findings showed that older adults frequently struggle with adopting technology, making it fundamental to implement simple and accessible tools. These insights lay the foundation of StayConnect, emphasizing asynchronous communication and ease of use.
User Research + Findings
We conducted research to understand the challenges faced by older adults who experience social isolation. Studies showed that loneliness affects almost 43% of adults over 60 and is linked to significant health risks, including cognitive decline and depression. A myriad of findings showed that older adults frequently struggle with adopting technology, making it fundamental to implement simple and accessible tools. These insights lay the foundation of StayConnect, emphasizing asynchronous communication and ease of use.
Loneliness Prevalence
Nearly 43% of adults over 60 experience regular loneliness, highlighting the widespread impact of social isolation on older adults. This is often exacerbated by changes in lifestyle, mobility, and loss of close relationships.
Loneliness Prevalence
Nearly 43% of adults over 60 experience regular loneliness, highlighting the widespread impact of social isolation on older adults. This is often exacerbated by changes in lifestyle, mobility, and loss of close relationships.
Loneliness Prevalence
Nearly 43% of adults over 60 experience regular loneliness, highlighting the widespread impact of social isolation on older adults. This is often exacerbated by changes in lifestyle, mobility, and loss of close relationships.
Associated Health Risks
Social isolation significantly increases risks of cognitive decline, depression, and physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, making it a critical issue for older populations.
Associated Health Risks
Social isolation significantly increases risks of cognitive decline, depression, and physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, making it a critical issue for older populations.
Associated Health Risks
Social isolation significantly increases risks of cognitive decline, depression, and physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, making it a critical issue for older populations.
Technology Adoption
While 61% of older adults report having some digital skills, many still face challenges adapting to modern communication tools, creating barriers to staying connected with loved ones.
Technology Adoption
While 61% of older adults report having some digital skills, many still face challenges adapting to modern communication tools, creating barriers to staying connected with loved ones.
Technology Adoption
While 61% of older adults report having some digital skills, many still face challenges adapting to modern communication tools, creating barriers to staying connected with loved ones.
Personas
Personas
Personas
To confirm the app meets users’ needs, we created personas representing both older adults and their families. These personas guided our design decisions, guaranteeing we addressed obstacles and needs for both audiences.
To confirm the app meets users’ needs, we created personas representing both older adults and their families. These personas guided our design decisions, guaranteeing we addressed obstacles and needs for both audiences.
To confirm the app meets users’ needs, we created personas representing both older adults and their families. These personas guided our design decisions, guaranteeing we addressed obstacles and needs for both audiences.
Early Iteration
Early Iteration
Early Iteration
These early low-fidelity wireframes focused on creating a simple, intuitive interface that supports asynchronous communication through features like sticky notes, drawing tools, and photo sharing.
These early low-fidelity wireframes focused on creating a simple, intuitive interface that supports asynchronous communication through features like sticky notes, drawing tools, and photo sharing.
These early low-fidelity wireframes focused on creating a simple, intuitive interface that supports asynchronous communication through features like sticky notes, drawing tools, and photo sharing.
User Testing Insights
Effortless navigation for all ages
Easy error recovery
Feature clarity matters
Memory-friendly interactions
User Testing Insights
Effortless navigation for all ages
Easy error recovery
Feature clarity matters
Memory-friendly interactions
User Testing Insights
Effortless navigation for all ages
Easy error recovery
Feature clarity matters
Memory-friendly interactions
Additional
Features
Additional
Features
Additional
Features
To address the demand for consistent connection, we needed a feature that would encourage users to engage regularly with the app. The solution? A Daily Prompt, designed to provide ideas and promote creativity through fun questions or tasks.
To address the demand for consistent connection, we needed a feature that would encourage users to engage regularly with the app. The solution? A Daily Prompt, designed to provide ideas and promote creativity through fun questions or tasks.
To address the demand for consistent connection, we needed a feature that would encourage users to engage regularly with the app. The solution? A Daily Prompt, designed to provide ideas and promote creativity through fun questions or tasks.
Final Solution
Final Solution
Final Solution
StayConnect is a thoughtfully designed platform that promotes meaningful, ongoing connections between older adults and their families through simple and fun interactions.
StayConnect is a thoughtfully designed platform that promotes meaningful, ongoing connections between older adults and their families through simple and fun interactions.
Finishing Touches
Cohesive Color Palette → Warm, inviting atmosphere, maintaining accessibility standards.
Prototyping & Interactiveness → Using Figma, with added animations
Refined Daily Prompt Feature → Integrated a creative compilation tool that gathers weekly entries into a fresh memory recap
These finishing touches bring the app to life, blending functionality and emotional connection.
Finishing Touches
Cohesive Color Palette → Warm, inviting atmosphere, maintaining accessibility standards.
Prototyping & Interactiveness → Using Figma, with added animations
Refined Daily Prompt Feature → Integrated a creative compilation tool that gathers weekly entries into a fresh memory recap
These finishing touches bring the app to life, blending functionality and emotional connection.
Future Adaptations
Looking ahead, a refined interface with increased color contrast is important for accessibility. We would look to add more gamification, such as milestone badges or a "streak” feature to keep users coming back. Our group is developing an introductory tutorial to give new users an idea on how to best interact with the app.
Future Adaptations
Looking ahead, a refined interface with increased color contrast is important for accessibility. We would look to add more gamification, such as milestone badges or a "streak” feature to keep users coming back. Our group is developing an introductory tutorial to give new users an idea on how to best interact with the app.
Future Adaptations
Looking ahead, a refined interface with increased color contrast is important for accessibility. We would look to add more gamification, such as milestone badges or a "streak” feature to keep users coming back. Our group is developing an introductory tutorial to give new users an idea on how to best interact with the app.
