"Over the years, I’ve watched my own grandmother—and now my parents—face the quiet struggle of loneliness as they grow older. It’s something that has deeply stayed with me, sparking a desire to understand and ease this difficult experience.
I believe that finding ways to bring comfort and connection to seniors doesn’t just help them—it helps me grow as a designer and as a person, giving me a chance to bring warmth and purpose to both our lives."
Golden Link is a social connection app that bridges seniors (65+) and young adults for meaningful companionship and skill-sharing.
Problem Statement
Seniors thrive with meaningful social interactions, which combat loneliness and improve mental and physical health. Modern technologies can bridge the gap, offering digital solutions to foster regular engagement, enhance social connections, and boost overall well-being.
Why is this Important??
Seniors thrive with meaningful social interactions, which combat loneliness and improve mental and physical health. Modern technologies can bridge the gap, offering digital solutions to foster regular engagement, enhance social connections, and boost overall well-being.
Users
Seniors aged 65 and above who primarily stay at home, experiencing limited mobility or other barriers that contribute to isolation. These individuals have minimal social interactions, often leading to feelings of loneliness and a diminished sense of connection to their community.
Quantitative Findings from Interviews
To better understand the challenges seniors face and uncover potential solutions, I conducted primary research by engaging directly with them. Senior centers seemed like an ideal starting point, as they provide a communal space where many older adults gather. Over the course of three visits, I conducted in-person interviews with 9-10 seniors, fostering deeper conversations and observing their interactions in a social setting.
Additionally, I extended my research by conducting phone interviews with four more individuals. This allowed me to compare insights gathered in-person with those obtained remotely, revealing how context and medium of interaction influenced their responses.
Through these conversations, I noticed distinct variations in the results. Seniors in face-to-face settings often seemed more open, drawing comfort from the immediacy of human connection. On the other hand, phone interviews sometimes brought out more reflective or candid responses, possibly due to the perceived anonymity or private nature of the interaction.
This blend of methods provided a richer, more nuanced understanding of seniors' social needs, preferences, and challenges.
Qualitative Findings from Interviews
Reluctance to Address Loneliness
Seniors find it challenging to openly discuss feelings of loneliness, making it a sensitive issue to approach.
Seniors find it challenging to openly discuss feelings of loneliness, making it a sensitive issue to approach.
Rediscovering Purpose
Finding new purpose and activities, especially after experiencing loss, plays a crucial role in their emotional recovery.
Finding new purpose and activities, especially after experiencing loss, plays a crucial role in their emotional recovery.
Physical Limitations Reduce Interactions
Health-related mobility challenges limit opportunities for social engagement.
Health-related mobility challenges limit opportunities for social engagement.
Impact of the Pandemic
COVID-19 has significantly disrupted their social lives, amplifying feelings of isolation.
COVID-19 has significantly disrupted their social lives, amplifying feelings of isolation.
Intergenerational Enjoyment
Seniors deeply value and enjoy interactions with younger generations.
Seniors deeply value and enjoy interactions with younger generations.
Openness to Technology
Despite stereotypes, seniors are willing and interested in adopting technology.
Despite stereotypes, seniors are willing and interested in adopting technology.
Passion for Teaching and Learning
Seniors find joy in sharing their knowledge and skills while also embracing opportunities to learn.
Seniors find joy in sharing their knowledge and skills while also embracing opportunities to learn.
Prototype 1- A simple Smiley Button
This study describes the design and implementation of a prototype "Smile" button intended to encourage interactions among individuals. The button was distributed to friends and popular individuals in a college setting, to spark interactions when wearers noticed each other. However, the small size and design of the button led to limited visibility and it was often mistaken for a common accessory. Despite some wearers noticing the button, many did not interpret it as an invitation for conversation. The findings highlight the importance of clear communication in design and suggest that subtle cues may not effectively convey intended messages for social interaction.
This study describes the design and implementation of a prototype "Smile" button intended to encourage interactions among individuals. The button was distributed to friends and popular individuals in a college setting, to spark interactions when wearers noticed each other. However, the small size and design of the button led to limited visibility and it was often mistaken for a common accessory. Despite some wearers noticing the button, many did not interpret it as an invitation for conversation. The findings highlight the importance of clear communication in design and suggest that subtle cues may not effectively convey intended messages for social interaction.
Prototype 2- You Can Talk to Me (conversation button)
This study presents the design and evaluation of a second prototype button with the message "You can Talk to Me," intended to facilitate interactions among individuals in public settings. The button, larger and more distinct than the previous prototype, aimed to attract attention and convey a clear message. The researcher wore the button for three days in various public settings to gather feedback. Results indicate that the button successfully captured people's attention, sparking curiosity and prompting conversations about its meaning. However, wearers noticed that people tended to associate the button with the specific context in which it was worn, such as assuming the wearer was a new trainee at a bookstore or a member of a Catholic club on public transportation. The findings suggest that clear communication and context are essential in designing effective social interaction cues.
This study presents the design and evaluation of a second prototype button with the message "You can Talk to Me," intended to facilitate interactions among individuals in public settings. The button, larger and more distinct than the previous prototype, aimed to attract attention and convey a clear message. The researcher wore the button for three days in various public settings to gather feedback. Results indicate that the button successfully captured people's attention, sparking curiosity and prompting conversations about its meaning. However, wearers noticed that people tended to associate the button with the specific context in which it was worn, such as assuming the wearer was a new trainee at a bookstore or a member of a Catholic club on public transportation. The findings suggest that clear communication and context are essential in designing effective social interaction cues.
Prototype 2- You Can Talk to Me (conversation button) can be linked with an app which can further increase engagement. Below are a few scenarios in which the features of the app can be used.
Discussion
This study presents the findings from two experiments involving small smile buttons and a larger text button ("You can talk to me") to facilitate interactions among individuals. The research highlights the importance of visual appeal and clear messaging in the design of social interaction cues. The experiments faced challenges such as limited time and resources, leading to staged scenarios to observe participant reactions. Despite efforts to prompt interactions, participants often ignored the buttons, perceiving them as mere accessories. Feedback emphasized the need for larger, more visually appealing buttons with clear, direct messages to effectively communicate their purpose. These findings underscore the importance of thoughtful design in creating effective social interaction cues.
This study presents the findings from two experiments involving small smile buttons and a larger text button ("You can talk to me") to facilitate interactions among individuals. The research highlights the importance of visual appeal and clear messaging in the design of social interaction cues. The experiments faced challenges such as limited time and resources, leading to staged scenarios to observe participant reactions. Despite efforts to prompt interactions, participants often ignored the buttons, perceiving them as mere accessories. Feedback emphasized the need for larger, more visually appealing buttons with clear, direct messages to effectively communicate their purpose. These findings underscore the importance of thoughtful design in creating effective social interaction cues.
Future Work
The project findings indicate that the developed prototype has significant potential for further refinement to enhance interactions among people. Feedback from my peers revealed differing opinions on how to improve the prototype. Some suggested integrating intelligence into the button itself to aid communication, while others advocated for retaining an associated app. Those in favour of the app argued that it could provide a buffer against public rejection, a concern for many users. They also emphasized the importance of providing users with a clear purpose for engaging with the prototype, such as expressing romantic interest or building a network with like-minded individuals. This feedback suggests that future iterations of the prototype should focus on enhancing user engagement and providing clear benefits to users.
The project findings indicate that the developed prototype has significant potential for further refinement to enhance interactions among people. Feedback from my peers revealed differing opinions on how to improve the prototype. Some suggested integrating intelligence into the button itself to aid communication, while others advocated for retaining an associated app. Those in favour of the app argued that it could provide a buffer against public rejection, a concern for many users. They also emphasized the importance of providing users with a clear purpose for engaging with the prototype, such as expressing romantic interest or building a network with like-minded individuals. This feedback suggests that future iterations of the prototype should focus on enhancing user engagement and providing clear benefits to users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment has provided valuable insights into user interaction, trust-building in development, and the cues users provide to designers. It has highlighted common mistakes designers make, such as neglecting important design elements like size, placement, colour, and messaging, which can lead to the failure of a product or service. Understanding user needs and wants is crucial, as is interpreting the messages and cues they provide to guide design solutions.
In conclusion, this experiment has provided valuable insights into user interaction, trust-building in development, and the cues users provide to designers. It has highlighted common mistakes designers make, such as neglecting important design elements like size, placement, colour, and messaging, which can lead to the failure of a product or service. Understanding user needs and wants is crucial, as is interpreting the messages and cues they provide to guide design solutions.
Furthermore, the concept of building trust emerged as a key learning point. The importance of authenticity and verification in engaging with users was underscored, along with the need for a credible and neutral authority to resolve trust issues. Establishing digital boundaries and offering filtered preferences were also identified as important factors in building trust with users.
Overall, this experiment has deepened my understanding of user behaviour and the complexities of trust-building in design. It has highlighted the importance of listening to users, interpreting their cues, and building authentic relationships to create successful products and services.
