Keepsake
Tools
SolidWorks
Figma
Keyshot
AfterEffects
Figma
Keyshot
AfterEffects
Time Frame
6 Weeks
Spring 2021
Products Studio
Spring 2021
Products Studio
Collaborators
Individual
A product system that helps connect family members during a period of grief through the intangible, sentimental stories that family members can attach to artifacts that once belonged to the decedent.
Losing a loved one is an inevitable experience that everyone will have to go through at least once in life. Over the past year, we have seen the pandemic give rise the amount of deaths across the world, plaguing families with grief.
From the very beginning of this project, I was interested in how personal effects all carry heavy emotional significance for families who have lost their loved ones and how they might provide closure and a sense of comfort to those who are grieving.
From the very beginning of this project, I was interested in how personal effects all carry heavy emotional significance for families who have lost their loved ones and how they might provide closure and a sense of comfort to those who are grieving.
Concept Video
The Digital Experience
Branding
Dark navy blue was chosen as the dominant color in order to evoke a sense of reverence for the person. The dull yellow is the secondary color that contrasts the blue and symbolizes light.
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Onboarding
During the onboarding, users are required to enter a register code sent to them via email which engages a drop down menu of family members using keepsake. After selecting your name, the app would attempt to sync with a SenseStone in the vicinity.
During the onboarding, users are required to enter a register code sent to them via email which engages a drop down menu of family members using keepsake. After selecting your name, the app would attempt to sync with a SenseStone in the vicinity.
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Home Page
On the Home Page, users can choose to add images of artifacts that once belonged to their loved one. Other features on this page include bluetooth connection, account settings, and notifications.
On the Home Page, users can choose to add images of artifacts that once belonged to their loved one. Other features on this page include bluetooth connection, account settings, and notifications.
Adding an Artifact
After an image has been added, you can choose to add either an audio description or text describing the story and values behind the artifact.
After an image has been added, you can choose to add either an audio description or text describing the story and values behind the artifact.
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Recording a Memory
Memories associated with the object can be recorded by different members of the family which would be shared with each other and stored in the format of a "bead" under the object.
Memories associated with the object can be recorded by different members of the family which would be shared with each other and stored in the format of a "bead" under the object.
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Audio Recordings Archive
Once the user selects an artifact, they can view the audio attachments underneath it recorded by other members of the family. The last bead on the string allows for you to record something yourself.
Once the user selects an artifact, they can view the audio attachments underneath it recorded by other members of the family. The last bead on the string allows for you to record something yourself.
The Stone and the Speaker
What can this device achieve?
Pebbles were chosen as the tangible object as they are commonly found but also unique in shape. Having a detachable component can represent the physical presence of a family member while listening to their audio recording.
The interaction of sharing memories via audio recordings encourages family members to be more emotionally vulnerable with each other as they grieve.
The light under the stone act as subtle visual cues that notify users when an audio recording has been shared. It also allows synchronous interactions between family members living apart.
The light under the stone act as subtle visual cues that notify users when an audio recording has been shared. It also allows synchronous interactions between family members living apart.
The purpose of having a simple rounded design with colors is so that it doesn't feel to disruptive in any living environment.
The light under the stone acts as a notification when someone else adds a recording to the archive, but what if you aren't next to the stone? The light will dim over a set period of time so it doesn't stay constantly lit. This is to reflect the dynamic interaction of the physical device and symbolize the synchronous presence of a family member.
The Design Process
I. Initial Research
Since grief can be experienced by anyone in this world, I wanted to sample my data from a large range of people regardless of their gender or race. Hence, I created a survey and posted it on multiple public forums and communities in Reddit and Facebook.
II. User Interviews
Next, I asked some targeted questions regarding time sensitive emotions related to their experience with grief. Asking these questions helped me figure out what features should be designed into the final solution in order to improve their experience.
Key Takeaways
Some recurring remarks from user research include how physical artifacts are remembered easily while memories are fleeting, but many wish that the memories they have with their loved ones are what's treasured the most.
The support of family members prove to be very important to get each other through times of grief, being able to openly talk about their feelings is a good way to relieve their pain.
Some recurring remarks from user research include how physical artifacts are remembered easily while memories are fleeting, but many wish that the memories they have with their loved ones are what's treasured the most.
The support of family members prove to be very important to get each other through times of grief, being able to openly talk about their feelings is a good way to relieve their pain.
III. Re-framing the Problem
How might we design a new ritual to encourage communal grieving within a household?
IV. In-depth Research
Findings from...
Published Journals: Digital artifacts are becoming more emergent as a way to preserve and remember. Some even suggests it can provide enhanced accuracy and complete record of memories.
Generative research: 2 participants evaluated existing structures and tools that encourage communication between family members to celebrate the life of the person who passed.
Published Journals: Digital artifacts are becoming more emergent as a way to preserve and remember. Some even suggests it can provide enhanced accuracy and complete record of memories.
Generative research: 2 participants evaluated existing structures and tools that encourage communication between family members to celebrate the life of the person who passed.
Physical artifacts can be associated with positive and negative emotions, hence both the people I talked with and the published articles have shown apprehension towards certain interactions with physical artifacts.
This led me to consider how accessibility physical artifacts might be controlled by the user. Acknowledging these emotions are an important part of the grieving process which is why I would consider how these emotions can work in tangent with family communication.
This led me to consider how accessibility physical artifacts might be controlled by the user. Acknowledging these emotions are an important part of the grieving process which is why I would consider how these emotions can work in tangent with family communication.
IV. Concept Development
Digital memorial space (app/website)
Family members can share their physical keepsakes with each other regardless of where they are and when it occurs. Recordings are preserved forever where the physical artifact may be subjected to damage and loss.
Physical Product
A reactive device that can simultaneously notify and provide physical comfort. The user can choose to listen to it immediately by responding to the device or have it be stored in the digital space. This allows flexible accessibility to memories associated with the artifact.
Family members can share their physical keepsakes with each other regardless of where they are and when it occurs. Recordings are preserved forever where the physical artifact may be subjected to damage and loss.
Physical Product
A reactive device that can simultaneously notify and provide physical comfort. The user can choose to listen to it immediately by responding to the device or have it be stored in the digital space. This allows flexible accessibility to memories associated with the artifact.
Touchpoint Iterations
Initial Renderings
Initial UI Mock-ups
I was initially inspired by the forms of vinyl records and wanted to make a creative UI that simulated the physical interactions of picking a record and playing it. However, there is no grid structure to this layout which may confuse the user and deter them from engaging in a simple interaction.
Physical Prototyping
Takeaways
Assumptions must always be tested. At the beginning of this project I inferred a lot of the needs that users had but when I spoke to my users about the design solutions I had in mind, it didn’t quite click with them. Hence, I had to change the way I was asking questions before I arrived at my final design.
The final solution doesn’t have to appeal to everybody and that’s okay.
If your design subject is sentimental or sensitive, more time should be dedicated to really understanding your users through various types of research.
The final solution doesn’t have to appeal to everybody and that’s okay.
If your design subject is sentimental or sensitive, more time should be dedicated to really understanding your users through various types of research.